Faced with the threat of Pompeo's "blocking", Chinese companies cannot be stage fright
■ Observer
This will be a "protracted war", the only way for China to "change from big to strong," and it will also be a double test of confidence and strength.
Recently, TikTok, an overseas version of Douyin, was chased by the U.S. government, and even because of Trump’s “ban”, Microsoft and ByteDance suspended acquisition negotiations. Nowadays, although negotiations are restarted, with Trump’s “turning face like a book” personality, it is not surprising that the next 45 days or more of the negotiation period may not be too peaceful.
At this time, US Secretary of State Pompeo publicly declared on August 2 that the US government would "take action" against more Chinese software companies that "threaten US national security" in the next few days.
Pompeo said that many of China's applications in the United States "provide data directly to the Chinese government and national security agencies." Although, Vanessa Pappas, general manager of TikTok US area, denied this claim on August 1, pointing out that TikTok US user data is stored in the US and access is strictly controlled.
This ever-expanding antagonism has made many companies worried. The endless impulsive behavior not only affects the development of Chinese Internet companies, but also causes many troubles and side effects to hundreds of millions of users in the United States.
The depth and breadth of economic and trade cooperation and mutual integration between China and the United States exceeds that of any two countries in history. There have never been so many companies from countries that have gone public in the United States like China, and both China and the United States have benefited from it.
Some trade conflicts and games between the two countries closely linked to economic development are also normal. It should be said that for a long time in the past, China and the United States have echoed each other in mutual cooperation. Now, indeed, the global economic take-off with China as the engine is changing trajectory, and China is shifting from rapid development to high-quality development. It is no longer merely an echoer and an OEM, but is striving to become a leader and an innovator.
In fact, the vitality of the global economy and technology development is precisely because more and more countries have joined the innovation track, stimulating and moving forward through mutual competition and cooperation. However, the Trump administration, which stands on the opposite side of globalization, has responded with eye-catching response to the globalization efforts of Chinese technology companies. Huawei was blocked and cut off confessions, ZTE faced sanctions, and until the recent threat of software applications in China, this seemed to be a series of step-by-step actions.
If these companies and products pose a threat to the national security of the United States, why have they not aroused their concerns and worries for so many years, but have suddenly risen recently? Or did the other party suddenly lose their daily judgment and insist on going their own way? We don't know.
However, China's international enterprises are therefore facing a relatively unfavorable situation, which is a reality that has to be faced squarely. How should we respond reasonably?
First and foremost, we still have to base ourselves in the country, do our own affairs well, and accelerate the formation of a domestic cycle. Since ancient times, my country has been a relatively complete economy with a vast territory, rich and diverse economic belts, diverse local products, and huge consumption potential, which can support a peaceful and harmonious life situation. Although this also has its disadvantages, we need a kind of determination and energy at this time, and we can't be frightened by the strength of the United States.
What's more, the central government has repeatedly stated that China will not close the door to opening up, but will only open wider and wider. The future opening is not only the flow of products, but also the institutional opening. Therefore, not only will the international cycle not derail, but will move to a higher level.
On the one hand, since TikTok can be successful in the world, we can expect that more pioneering Chinese Internet companies will go abroad and shape the Chinese myth of the Internet in the new era. On the other hand, it is necessary to build a better business environment in China, create a more equal competitive atmosphere, and welcome other competitors from the world with an open and flexible mind.
Judging by the Politburo meeting, this will be a "protracted war." To a certain extent, this is the only way for China to "change from big to strong", and it is also a double test of confidence and strength.
□Xingliang Liu (Dean of DCCI Internet Research Institute)