China Expresses 'Serious Concern', 'Firm Objection' As India Bans 118 Chinese Apps Including PUBG

A day after India banned 118 Chinese apps including the popular multiplayer game PUBG Mobile, China has expressed "serious concern" and "firm objection" on Indian government's decision, reports Chinese Communist Party mouthpiece Global Times.

India on Wednesday (2 September) banned 118 Chinese apps including PUBG Mobile, Baidu, WeChat Work, saying that the apps are engaged in "activities which is prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the state and public order.”

The Ministry of Information and Technology in its order further said that it had received various complaints of the apps stealing user data which may be mined by elements who are hostile to India's national security. It added that it has also received a recommendation from the Home Ministry for banning these apps.

Responding to the India's decision to ban Chinese apps, China's Ministry of Commerce spokersperson Gao Feng said that New Delhi has abused "national security" by imposing discriminate restrictions on Chinese companies.

Feng alleged that the move by India to ban Chinese apps violated relevant WTO rules and urged India to correct its mistakes.

India's latest action against Chinese apps comes months after similar ban was imposed on 59 Chinese apps in June this year.

In June, the Centre had banned 59 Chinese applications including the popular short video sharing app TikTok, data sharing app ShareIt, UC Browser and scanning app CamScanner over national security concerns.