"Kneeling to Xi Jinping?"... Disney and NBA Executives Testify Before US House Special Committee

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] The newly established U.S. House Special Committee on Strategic Competition with China announced that it will scrutinize the public relations of Disney and major tech companies.

Mike Gallagher, a Republican and chairman of the House China Special Committee, responded "yes" on the 11th (local time) during a radio interview with 'Hugh Hewitt' when asked whether the committee would call Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, and Adam Silver, commissioner of the NBA, as witnesses for a hearing.

Chairman Gallagher stated, "What I am saying now is a kind of notice that they will have to testify before the committee," adding, "The sight of the NBA kneeling before Xi Jinping (President of China) really angers Americans."

Previously, in 2019, Daryl Morey, then general manager of the Houston Rockets in the NBA, made statements supporting the Hong Kong protests, which led to a backlash in China, including an NBA boycott. He later apologized for the remarks and faced severe criticism in the U.S. Congress.

Chairman Gallagher emphasized, "The bigger concern is that allowing the Chinese Communist Party to control key sectors of technology and the economy shows what could happen to the rest of America's domestic industries," adding, "It is not limited to the greedy executives of Hollywood or the NBA; the Chinese Communist Party could threaten the entire world."

Earlier, Disney faced scrutiny from Republican lawmakers for filming the 2020 movie 'Mulan' near the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, which has been criticized for human rights violations by the Chinese government.

Gallagher also stated that the committee will examine the relationship between big tech companies and the Chinese Communist Party. He said, "Some big tech executives may not want to talk with the committee," adding, "Refusing to engage in dialogue will not only harm their corporate image but also lead to more thorough investigations by Congress."