The Chinese Government Does Not Allow Elon Musk To Sell Starlink In the Country

SpaceX's Starlink Illustration of Elon Musk (photo: Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The Chinese government has banned Tesla boss Elon Musk from selling his Starlink satellite internet service in the country.

The news was delivered directly by the owner of SpaceX to the Financial Times. Musk said that Beijing had made clear its disapproval of the recent launch of Starlink in Ukraine to help the military avoid Russia's internet shutdown.

“He said Beijing was seeking assurances that he would not sell Starlink in China,” the article said, quoted by CNBC.

However, the Financial Times did not say whether Elon Musk had agreed to the Beijing government's request or not.

Some time ago, Musk had sent a Starlink satellite to Ukraine for the invasion by Russia. Starlink will also be provided in Iran as the country restricts the internet to its citizens.

CNBC also noted that, in contrast to the US and other countries' condemnation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine this year, China refused to call the attack an invasion.

In September, Musk asked for an exemption from sanctions against Iran for providing the company's Starlink satellite broadband service in the country.

Musk's request is due to an attempt by the Iranian government to shut down the internet network in his country because of the case of the death of a woman that has gone viral in the world.

Starlink is a satellite internet program under the auspices of SpaceX, which has high-speed internet. Currently, Starlink has created more than 1 million user terminals worldwide.

Some time ago, Elon Musk also announced the presence of Starlink on seven continents, including Antarctica. Thus, even the most remote areas will soon have connectivity via satellite internet access.

What's more, he also has big plans for the service, he hopes Starlink can be expanded to cruise ships, planes and even school buses.