China Reacts To India Banning 59 Chinese Apps, Expresses 'Strong Concerns'

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian stated the government's response to the Indian government banning 59 Chinese applications.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lijian Zhao (File Photo/ Twitter @MFA_China)

Beijing: China, on Tuesday, finally reacted to India's decision of banning 59 Chinese apps in the country by expressing its concerns.  China emphasised that the Indian government has a responsibility to uphold the legal rights of international investors including China's. Addressing the ban by the Indian government announced on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lijian Zhao said: "China is strongly concerned, verifying the situation." The apps were removed over concerns of them being used to share sensitive information on national security with the Chinese government. After the Galwan clash between Indian and Chinese troops, Indian intelligence agencies had released a list of Chinese apps that are under scanner for posing a risk to national security. Refuting such concerns, China stressed that businesses are asked to abide by international and local regulations. "We want to stress that the Chinese Government always asks Chinese businesses to abide by international & local laws-regulations," - Lijian Zhao. "Indian Govt has a responsibility to uphold the legal rights of international investors including Chinese ones," he added. The Central government had on Monday banned 59 mobile apps including Tik Tok, SHAREit, Parallel Space, UC Browser and other Chinese apps "prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity and defence" of the country. The apps were banned under section 69 A of the Information Technology Act, which aims to stop the violation and threat to the security of the state and public order and to plug the data leaks. "Almost all of them have some preferential Chinese interest. Few are from countries like Singapore. However, the majority have parent companies which are Chinese," the official said. Ministry of Information Technology further stated that this move will safeguard the interests of crores of Indian mobile and internet users. This decision is a targeted move to ensure the safety and sovereignty of Indian cyberspace. (With Agency Inputs)