Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democratic vice presidential nominee, is facing scrutiny over his past remarks on China, with Republicans criticizing him for being soft on the threat from the Chinese Communist Party.
Tim Walz, the Minnesota Democrat who has been chosen as Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate in the 2024 presidential election, is facing scrutiny from Republicans over his past remarks on China.
Walz has worked in China as a teacher, traveled extensively to the country, and said he believes there is potential for a strong relationship between China and the US. However, he has also said that China needs to "play by the rules" on human rights and the environment.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz: Scrutinized for Pro-China Remarks
In a 2016 interview, Walz said he did not agree with the idea that there needs to be an adversarial relationship with China.
"I don't fall into the category that China necessarily needs to be an adversarial relationship. I totally disagree, and I think we need to stand firm on what they're doing in the South China Sea, but there's many areas of cooperation we can work on," he said.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz: Scrutinized for Pro-China Remarks
Walz's remarks have drawn criticism from some on the right, who believe he is soft on the threat from the Chinese Communist Party.
Former acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell said "communist China is very happy with [Walz] as Kamala’s VP pick."
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz: Scrutinized for Pro-China Remarks
"No one is more pro-China than Marxist Walz," Grenell said.
James Hutton, a former assistant secretary at the Department of Veterans Affairs, said Walz "doesn’t see China as a problem."
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz: Scrutinized for Pro-China Remarks
"This is a guy who will have to learn the truth of the vicious nature of the dictatorship in Beijing. Communist tyranny may not be a bad thing to Walz, but the rest of the world knows. Walz is dangerous."
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said, "Tim Walz owes the American people an explanation about his unusual, 35-year relationship with Communist China."
The Harris campaign has pushed back against this criticism, saying that Walz has "stood up to the CCP, fought for human rights and democracy, and always put American jobs and manufacturing first."
Others have pointed out that Walz has criticized Beijing for cultural genocide in Tibet and Xinjiang, and has co-sponsored resolutions on key human rights issues.
On Chinese social media platform Weibo, opinions were split on what the Walz pick indicated.
"I feel like he should be the one running for president," one user said.
"In 2014, he said in an interview with U.S. media that he ‘cares a lot about human rights and democracy in China.’ He was also a member of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China. He has bad intentions," another said.
It remains to be seen how Walz's past remarks on China will affect his candidacy and the outcome of the 2024 election.
