China has warned that a potential ban on TikTok will "come back to bite" the United States as senators pass a bill that may lead to the app's prohibition.
The bill currently being debated in the House of Representatives would require the Chinese-owned app to either cut relations with China or become inaccessible in the US.
TikTok has long been a source of worry for US officials, with some suggesting possible national security dangers.
TikTok's owners have constantly denied that they constitute a risk.
On Wednesday, the bill was approved by the House with bipartisan backing from both major parties.
Officially called the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, it now moves to the Senate, where it remains uncertain if it will pass.
If it passes, President Joe Biden is expected to sign it into law.
Ahead of the vote, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin accused the US of "suppressing TikTok" despite the fact that it "never produced evidence that TikTok harms national security." "This kind of bullying behavior that cannot win in legitimate competition undermines companies' regular operations, damages the confidence of foreign investors in the investment setting, and destroys the normal global trade and economic order," Wang said.
"In the end, this will inevitably come back to bite the United States itself."
Chinese media also condemned the action, with numerous newspapers publishing sarcastic cartoons mocking the US campaign to ban the app.
This article was originally published on the BBC.