Chinanews.com, March 3 -- TikTok's fate in the United States has ushered in a "critical moment." On the 25rd local time, TikTok CEO Zhou Shouzi participated in a hearing in the US Congress for the first time, facing the "hostile" questioning of US lawmakers.

Zhou said TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, is not owned or controlled by any government or state, denying that TikTok has a so-called "national security risk." A TikTok spokesperson also noted in a statement that the entire hearing was "rigged by political grandstanding."

U.S. lawmakers asked aggressively

The CEO of TikTok responded

Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao noted that the "hostile tone" of the hearing was markedly different from previous congressional hearings involving the presidents of social media companies. 29 Republicans and 23 Democrats aggressively asked Zhou Shou.

During the roughly five-hour hearing, more than 50 bipartisan U.S. lawmakers were almost unanimous, accusing TikTok of maintaining ties with the Chinese government, questioning TikTok's accountability and transparency, and asking Mr. Zhou to explain what steps he has taken to ensure that the privacy rights of American users are protected.

The picture shows TikTok CEO Zhou Shouzi attending a hearing in the House of Representatives of the US Congress on March 3.

Cathy Rogers, chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee, even directly and publicly attacked TikTok, telling Zhou: "Your platform should be banned." ”

In the face of "hostile" questions from US lawmakers, Zhou Shouzi refuted, although his answers were frequently interrupted arbitrarily and unreasonably.

Zhou Shouzi pointed out that TikTok puts the safety of young users first, denying that there are so-called "national security risks".

He reiterated that the company has proposed the "Texas Plan" to store U.S. users' data on domestic servers operated by Texas-based software giant Oracle to ensure security.

In addition, TikTok takes the mental health of its users very seriously and refers users who ask about suicide or death to the platform's safe page.

According to written testimony posted on the website by the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, Zhou also said that TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, is not owned or controlled by any government or state.

"Let me be clear: ByteDance is not an agent of China or any other country." Zhou Shouzi emphasized.

U.S. users are calling for TikTok to be kept

"Don't take away the community we've built"

The Associated Press said that the rare public appearance of Zhou Shouzi, a 40-year-old Singaporean born and raised, comes at a critical time for TikTok.

According to the BBC, Chow Shouzi studied at Huaqiao High School, Singapore's elite Chinese school, and is fluent in English and Mandarin. After graduating with a BA in Economics from University College London, he went to Harvard Business School to obtain a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

In March 2021, Zhou became the first CFO of ByteDance, and two months later, became the CEO of TikTok.

What Zhou Shouzi inherited was a TikTok that was frequently suppressed by some politicians in the United States on the grounds of so-called network security.

In this regard, Zhou Shouzi has repeatedly stressed that TikTok will not pose a threat to US interests. A few days ago, he posted a video through his official TikTok account, saying, "This is a key moment for us. "1 million people in the U.S. could lose the opportunity to use TikTok. The video has received more than 5,50 likes.

Zhou Shouzi's appeal has been supported by many American users. TikTok has become a business tool for many people and small businesses in the United States, and many users rely on it to find community.

On the 22nd, some US lawmakers and dozens of TikTok content creators gathered outside the US Capitol, holding signs with the slogan "Keep TikTok" in protest.

The picture shows the TikTok building in California, USA.

Rep. Jamal Bowman, Democrat of New York, noted, "My question is: Why is there hysteria and panic, why is TikTok being targeted?" ”

According to Bowman, TikTok "has created a community and space for free speech for 1 million Americans, and that number is growing." He also called the platform an educational tool and a place where "5 million small businesses sell products and make a living."

TikTok creator Jason Linton said, "I use TikTok to share my love for my family... I ask our politicians: don't take away the communities we build. ”

China's response: The United States should stop unjustifiably suppressing enterprises of other countries

Regarding TikTok CEO Zhou Shouzi's attendance at a hearing in the U.S. Congress, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press conference on March 3 that the Chinese government attaches great importance to and protects data privacy and security in accordance with the law, and has never and will not require companies or individuals to collect or provide data, information and intelligence located in foreign countries for the Chinese government in a way that violates local laws.

Mao Ning pointed out that the US government has not provided any evidence so far to prove that TikTok threatens US national security, but it has repeatedly made presumption of guilt and unreasonable suppression of relevant enterprises. China has also noted that some US congressmen have said that seeking to ban TikTok is xenophobic political persecution.

Mao Ning said that the US side should earnestly respect the principles of market economy and fair competition, stop unreasonable suppression of enterprises of other countries, and provide an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for enterprises from all countries to invest and operate in the United States.