Beijing seeks 'fair' business environment for Chinese firms in US

ANKARA

China on Saturday said that it seeks a "fair" business environment for Chinese firms in the US.

In a statement, China’s Ministry of Commerce said that delegations from both countries met in Madrid on Sept. 14-15, where they reached a “basic framework consensus” on addressing TikTok-related issues through cooperation, reducing investment barriers, and boosting economic and trade ties.

"China's position on the TikTok issue is clear. The Chinese government respects the wishes of companies and is happy to see them conduct commercial negotiations in accordance with market rules and reach solutions that comply with Chinese laws and regulations and balance interests," the statement said.

"We hope that the United States will work with China and earnestly fulfill its commitments to provide an open, fair, just, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies, including TikTok, to continue operating in the United States, and promote the stable, healthy, and sustainable development of China-US economic and trade relations," it added.

On Friday, during a phone call, Chinese President Xi Jinping told his US counterpart Donald Trump that the Chinese government respects the wishes of TikTok and would be happy to see productive commercial negotiations in keeping with market rules lead to a solution that complies with China’s laws and regulations and takes into account the interests of both sides.

"The U.S. side needs to provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese investors," Xi said, according to an official statement.

Following the phone conversation with Xi, President Trump claimed that his Chinese counterpart "approved" a TikTok deal.

"I had a great call with President Xi, and as you know, he approved the TikTok deal," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. "We have to get it signed. I guess it could be a formality.”