In an era where diplomacy and global politics are as intertwined with digital technology as the threads of the internet itself, China has firmly stood its ground to protect its digital offspring, TikTok, from what has been termed by some as the United States' attempt at a "forced sale." This narrative, brought into the spotlight by The Wall Street Journal, shares insights into China's readiness to defend its precious asset against foreign designs. Chinese authorities, much like protective parents at a school meeting, are ready to counter American pressure, willing to do whatever it takes to keep their beloved video app from falling into foreign hands. "A sale? Absolutely not, we'd rather block it," seems to be the motto of ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, which has received something akin to a blessing from the Chinese government to resist. Meanwhile, in the US, a real drama unfolds. The House of Representatives is drafting legislation that threatens to restrict access to TikTok citing national security concerns. It appears they perceive every dancing teenager on the app as a potential "foreign adversary." In short, TikTok finds itself at the center of a conflict worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster, where short videos replace laser swords, and data servers take the place of spacecraft. It seems a new form of diplomacy is emerging, where countries negotiate through popular apps. Who knows, perhaps soon we'll see peace negotiations where each agreement point is accompanied by a dance challenge.
