SINGAPORE — After a U.S. senator grilled Singaporean TikTok CEO about his nationality and affiliation with the Chinese Communist Party, Singaporeans are complaining about ignorant — or even racist — views of their country.
TikTok CEO Shou Chew, along with executives from technology firms such as Meta, X and Snap, testified before U.S. lawmakers on the online harms of social media to children on Wednesday.
During the hearing, Chew was repeatedly questioned about his nationality and possible affiliations to the Chinese Communist Party by Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark.
TikTok, which is operated by Chinese firm ByteDance, has over 150 million users in America. U.S. lawmakers have regarded TikTok with considerable suspicion over whether its data can be accessed by the Chinese government, as well as whether the app can be used to expand China’s influence. Chinese companies are required to set up Communist Party cells.
“You said today, as you often say, that you live in Singapore. Of what nation are you a citizen?” Cotton asked.
Chew affirmed that he is Singaporean — which does not allow its citizens to hold dual citizenship — but Cotton pressed on, asking if Chew was a citizen of any other nation, and if he had ever applied for Chinese citizenship. China also does not permit dual nationality, and rarely accepts applications for citizenship.
When Chew responded no to both questions, Cotton asked if he had ever been a member of the Chinese Communist Party or have had any affiliation to it.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew speaks during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing with other social media platform heads on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, to discuss child safety online. Credit: AP/Jose Luis Magana
“No Senator, again, I’m Singaporean,” Chew responded, visibly perplexed. The Party requires members to be Chinese citizens.
Cotton’s line of questioning was described as “McCarthy-esque” by the Washington Post, and clips of the exchange posted…
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