China erupts, says India ban on apps flouts WTO norms

◗ The apps were first banned by India in June 2020 on national security grounds and seen by observers as a measure to impose economic costs on Beijing for its aggression along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh

The Chinese government, which is facing increasing global criticism over the mistreatment of its Uighur minorities in Xinjiang province as well as the suppression of democracy activists in Hong Kong, on Wednesday lambasted India for its permanent ban on 59 Chinese mobile apps that includes WeChat (China’s equivalent of WhatsApp), initially imposed in June last year, with Beijing again alleging the moves are “in violation of WTO non-discriminatory principles and fair competition principles of market economy”. Beijing asked New Delhi to “immediately correct its discriminatory measures and avoid causing further damage to bilateral cooperation”.

The apps were first banned by India in June 2020 on national security grounds and seen by observers as a measure to impose economic costs on Beijing for its aggression along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Chinese embassy in New Delhi said: “Since last year, the Indian side has repeatedly used national security as an excuse to prohibit some mobile apps with Chinese background. These violate WTO nondiscriminatory principles and the fair competition principles of a market economy (and) severely damage the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies. The Chinese side firmly opposes them. The Chinese government always asks Chinese companies to observe international rules and local laws and regulations when doing business overseas.”

Recent media reports indicate the 59 Chinese apps banned in June 2020 now stand permanently banned in India after notices were issued to them last year.

These reports said the ministry of electronics and information technology have issued fresh notices to make permanent the ban imposed last year.