-- Video platform TikTok's parent company ByteDance said it will file a lawsuit against the U.S. government to safeguard its rights and interests, while prepare a shutdown plan for its business in the United States.

-- Besides ByteDance's lawsuit, its U.S. employees are also planning to take the Trump administration to court over the executive order signed by the U.S. president.

-- The litigation itself is of great significance as it will not only bring legal and public pressure to the U.S. government, but may also become a landmark event for Chinese enterprises to protect their rights.

The logo of TikTok is displayed on the screen of a smartphone on a computer screen background in Arlington, Virginia, the United States, Aug. 3, 2020. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

BEIJING, Aug. 23  -- ByteDance, owner of the popular video platform TikTok, announced Sunday that it will file a lawsuit against the U.S. government Tuesday, Beijing time, to protect its rights and interests while beginning to prepare a shutdown plan for its business in the United States.

"Over the past year, we have earnestly sought to communicate with the U.S. government, and provided solutions regarding its concerns. But the U.S. administration disregarded facts, disobeyed necessary legal procedures, and tried to insert itself into negotiations between private businesses," ByteDance said in a statement. "To ensure that the rule of law is not discarded, and that our company and users are treated fairly, we announce that we will officially file a lawsuit to safeguard our interests."

Besides the lawsuit, the company is also preparing for the worst -- a shutdown plan to keep its employees in the United States on the payroll, even if the app is shut down in the country.