China opposes tech weaponization, politicization

China firmly opposes the politicization and weaponization of technology, as well as economic and trade issues, said Ministry of Commerce spokesman He Yadong at a press briefing in Beijing on Thursday.

He made the remarks in response to a media inquiry about TikTok, emphasizing that the Chinese government will lawfully review matters related to the app's technology exports and intellectual property rights, while supporting enterprises in conducting equal commercial negotiations based on market principles.

"China has always opposed politicization, instrumentalization and weaponization of technology, as well as economic and trade matters, and will never seek to reach any agreement at the expense of principles, interests of companies, or international fairness and justice. In the meantime, the Chinese government fully respects the wishes of enterprises and supports them in conducting business negotiations on an equal footing in accordance with market principles. The Chinese government will conduct the review and approval of matters related to TikTok, including technology exports and authorization of the right to use intellectual property, in accordance with the law. We also hope the United States will act in line with the consensus reached by both sides, providing open, fair, equitable, and non-discriminatory business environment for the continued operation of Chinese enterprises in the U.S., including TikTok and helping China-U.S. economic and trade relation achieve steady, healthy, and sustainable development," He said.

The Chinese and U.S. delegations engaged in candid, in-depth and constructive communication based on mutual respect and equal consultation regarding economic and trade issues of mutual concern, including TikTok, a senior Chinese official said at a press conference in Madrid following economic and trade talks with the U.S. team on Monday.

The two sides fully recognized that a stable China-U.S. economic and trade relationship is of great significance to both countries and also has a major impact on global economic stability and development, said Li Chenggang, China international trade representative with the Ministry of Commerce and vice minister of commerce, at a briefing.

During this meeting, the two sides engaged in candid and in-depth discussions on TikTok and the relevant concerns of the Chinese side, and the two sides reached a basic framework consensus on resolving issues related to TikTok through cooperation, reducing investment barriers and promoting relevant economic and trade cooperation, Li said.

China opposes tech weaponization, politicization

The European Union and the United Nations issued a joint report on Monday saying that human development across Gaza has been set back by a staggering 77 years, with 71.4 billion U.S. dollars needed over the next decade for its recovery and reconstruction.

According to the Final Gaza Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment, jointly conducted by the EU and UN with the World Bank, 26.3 billion U.S. dollars will be needed in the first 18 months to restore essential services, rebuild critical infrastructure and support economic recovery.

Physical infrastructure damages are estimated at 35.2 billion U.S. dollars, with economic and social losses amounting to 22.7 billion U.S. dollars from the Israel-Hamas war that began on October 7, 2023.

The report finds that all sectors have been devastated, including housing, health, education, commerce and agriculture.

In Gaza, at least 371,888 housing units have been destroyed or damaged, more than 50 percent of hospitals are non-functional, and nearly all schools have been destroyed or damaged. The economy has contracted by 84 percent.

The impact on the lives of Gazans is just as devastating: more than 60 percent of the population have lost their homes and 1.9 million people displaced, often multiple times. Women, children, persons with disabilities, and those with pre-existing vulnerabilities bear the greatest burden.

Over two years of conflict has resulted in more than 71,000 Palestinian fatalities and over 171,000 injured, according to local authorities, with many still missing under the rubble.

Gaza's reconstruction in next decade needs 71.4 billion US dollars: report