Microsoft talk of buying TikTok's US operations raises hackles in China

The proposed acquisition of parts of TikTok, which boasts 100 mn US users, would offer Microsoft an opportunity to become a major competitor to social media giants such as Facebook and Snap Inc

A potential shotgun wedding to Microsoft Corp for TikTok's US operations provoked an outcry on Chinese social media as well as criticism from a prominent Chinese investor in TikTok owner ByteDance.

The US tech giant formally declared its interest on Sunday after President Donald Trump, who has cited national security risks posed by the Chinese-owned short video app, reversed course on a planned ban and gave the two firms 45 days to come to a deal.

The proposed acquisition of parts of TikTok, which boasts 100 million US users, would offer Microsoft a rare opportunity to become a major competitor