U.S. Senator Tom Cotton faced backlash for his line of questioning towards TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew during a congressional hearing, inquiring about Chew's possible ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Singaporeans and other observers criticized Cotton's questions as ignorant or racist, noting that not all Chinese or Singaporeans are CCP members, with only 6.9% of Mainland China citizens being part of the CCP. The Asian American caucus in Congress labeled Cotton's behavior as racist, while others highlighted the importance of scrutinizing potential CCP influence, irrespective of Chew's Singaporean nationality.
From this week: Tom Cotton: "Have you ever been a member of the Chinese Communist Party?" TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew: "Senator, I'm Singaporean. No!" https://t.co/naoPxr6wY9
Tom Cotton questioning the CEO of Tiktok. Men - on a first date, question her possible affiliation to the communist party. It's important. https://t.co/xj27X6N7Ji
I notice that many of the people who are against the land ownership ban are actually Americans — mostly Chinese Americans apparently. Note that the law isn’t against Chinese Americans, and it’s not against Asians either; it’s targeting Chinese nationals who are not US citizens /… https://t.co/Ks67BrGKfD
What Tom Cotton misses is that even though TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is Singaporean and not a CCP member, he can still be an agent of influence of the CCP… and no one will admit he’s one even if he’s indeed one… https://t.co/uJhTyNQyJm https://t.co/4UPJzFVRt3
Cotton’s questioning reflects ignorance. Not even all Mainland China citizens are Communist Party members — only 6.9% (based upon the Party’s own inflated numbers). Out of that low number, it’s a mixed bag of PRC citizens who actually support the Party’s policies/leadership.… https://t.co/4yZfDiyIZX
The leading Asian American caucus in Congress has accused Sen. Tom Cotton of “racist” questioning of TikTok’s CEO at a congressional hearing this week. https://t.co/lQGa7ehIa6
#ShouZiChew (周受资) from #TikTok is not a #CCP member? Then who is the guy beside the CCP flag in the photo at the bottom? But of course, the CCP is smart enough to arrange to have a "Singaporean businessman" serve as the CEO of TikTok to dodge questions that people like… https://t.co/S90M3o1j54
After U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton grilled the Singaporean CEO of TikTok about his nationality and suggested he was affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party, Singaporeans are pointing out the ignorant — or even racist — views of their country. https://t.co/l8qaOLUY8i
lol this clown is seriously gonna double down on being a racist? I cant tell the difference btw a singaporean and a chinese person so he's dodging the question! https://t.co/qqAfUNBq7F
I had a few minutes & made this using AI* I’m no TikTok fanboy, but this questioning was absurd. China ≠ Singapore. *776 content team edited it! https://t.co/XmvFcGcPK1
Singaporeans bemoan U.S. Senator's 'ignorant' grilling of TikTok CEO https://t.co/OAXbGZHHLc
Men born in Singapore are required to serve in their military - this is public knowledge. Whatever be the state of ops at TikTok, this senator is either Racist or is showing the sad case of US High School Education - extremely disappointing leadership: https://t.co/tYDZhXaSt4
This is Senator Tom Cotton, questioning the TikTok CEO with the stupid questions about China and some kind of genocide (not the one in Israel). Tom Cotton was part of the operation in Iraq when the US military was stealing and taking out their gold reserves. https://t.co/kk5IAke1OT