China takes swipe at Scott Morrison for joining TikTok: ‘Double standards’

Beijing has hit out at Prime Minister Scott Morrison after he started an account with controversial Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok.

Beijing has taken a swipe at Prime Minister Scott Morrison for joining controversial Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok, accusing him of “double standards” and selectively using rules.

Mr Morrison made his TikTok debut on Christmas Eve, uploading a video with his dog Buddy. He has since gained more than 33,000 followers.

But his newly created account comes after he last year warned Australians to be careful with the app, telling a security forum it “connects right back to China”.

Now Beijing has hit back at Mr Morrison, telling him to stop “abusing” the concept of national security.

“The choice of social media platform by a certain Australian politician is his own business,” Beijing’s foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said.

“What I want to reiterate is that Australia should uphold the principle of openness and market rules, stop abusing the concept of national security, stop double standards of selective use of rules and provide a fair, open and non discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises.”

A screenshot from Scott Morrison's TikTok debut.

In Mr Morrison’s first TikTok video he appears with his dog next to him as Christmas music plays in the background.

“G’Day TikTok, Merry Christmas from me and Bud and all of our family here at Christmas to you and all of yours,” he says.

“Stay safe, think of those doing it a bit tough. Buddy is going to wrap some presents. I’ll catch you later, stay safe, God bless.”

He also posted a second video on Christmas Day in front of a tree.

“To everyone who is out there helping others volunteering, thankyou so much for what you do,” he says.

Mr Morrison was speaking at the Aspen Security Forum in August last year when he ruled out banning the popular app but urged caution.

“People need to understand where the extension cord goes back to,” he told the forum.

“People should know that the line connects right back to China and they should exercise their own judgment about whether they should participate in those things or not.”

Scott Morrison's Christmas Day TikTok message.

In a submission to a Senate inquiry examining foreign interference in social media, TikTok Australia wrote it wanted to address “misinformation” regarding the platform’s connection to China.

“After reported investigation by security agencies, the Prime Minister stated there was nothing at this point that would suggest to us that security interests have been compromised or Australian citizens have been compromised because of what’s happening with those applications,” it wrote.

Originally published as China takes swipe at Scott Morrison for joining TikTok: ‘Double standards’