Minnesota Governor Tim Walz faces criticism from Republican figures over comments they see as pro-China and his past connections with the country.
The scrutiny increased after a 2016 interview in which Walz, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, expressed doubt about maintaining an aggressive approach with the Chinese government.
Walz’s previous involvement with China included working as an English and American history teacher in Guangdong in 1989 and taking multiple trips there. Reports from local media indicate that his 1994 trip to China coincided with his honeymoon, which was planned to align with the fifth anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown.
In his 2016 interview with Agri-Pulse Communications, Walz argued against seeing China only as an adversary, emphasizing potential areas of cooperation while advocating for adherence to international standards on human rights and environmental issues.
His relationship with China, including founding a company to organize trips there and conducting educational tours, has drawn criticism from some conservative commentators. Former Acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell and former Department of Veterans Affairs assistant secretary James Hutton have voiced strong disapproval, accusing Walz of being overly sympathetic to the Chinese Communist Party.
Tim Walz owes the American people an explanation about his unusual, 35-year relationship with Communist China.
— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) August 6, 2024
Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) demanded an explanation for Walz’s long-standing relationship with China, labelling it “unusual.”
Supporters point to Walz’s history of advocating for human rights, including his criticism of Beijing’s policies in Tibet and Xinjiang, his visit to Tibet with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and his meetings with the Dalai Lama. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) highlighted Walz’s commitment to human rights as a positive signal for a potential Harris-Walz administration.
Chinese social media responses to Walz’s nomination were mixed, with some expressing support and others questioning his intentions based on his previous statements and actions related to China.
