The Chinese Foreign Ministry hinted Monday it was willing to work with the administration of US President Donald Trump to keep TikTok alive in the US.

The development comes after Trump said he wanted US-based owners to control 50% of the app's US operations, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday.

China earlier opposed any sale of the app, saying the divestiture meant an export of technology and would need Chinese government approval, according to a previous Wall Street Journal report in 2023.

Business operations should be "independently decided by companies in accordance with market principles," the Chinese foreign ministry said Monday, citing spokesperson Mao Ning.