The University of Maryland economist reacts to billionaire investor China to invite NBA stars: Can I go to the labor camp to watch | Kanter | Boston Team | Beijing Winter Olympics”>Chamath Palihapitiya and says: “No one cares about the Uyghurs”.
Representative Ami Bera of D-California commented on the Golden State Warriors co-ownership controversy Shamat Palihapitiya, who received backlash for saying “no one cares” about the ongoing Uyghur genocide in Xinjiang, China.
“No one cares what happens to the Uyghurs, okay? “All-Inclusive-Podcast” this week in response to co-host Jason Calacanis.
“I’m just telling you a very hard, ugly truth, okay? Of all the things that are important to me, yes it’s under my line,” added the NBA co-owner and Biden mega-donor.
A protester holds a sign during the Beijing 2022 protest. (Thomas Krych / SOPA Images / LightRocket / Getty Images)
According to FEC data, Silicon Valley billionaire Palihapitiya donated $250,000 to the Biden Victory Fund to support Biden’s presidential campaign this July and another $5,600 directly to his campaign. However, the White House remained silent this week in response to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on Palihapitiya’s donations given his recent anti-Uyghur remarks.
Bera, Chair of the House Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia and Non-Proliferation, said he disagreed with Palihapitiya’s remarks during a virtual event with the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) on Friday.
“I saw those comments and found them naive and unhappy,” Bera said when asked about the incident. “We in Congress, Democrats and Republicans, are certainly paying attention to what is happening in Xinjiang.”
Chamath Palihapitiya, founder and managing partner of Social+Capital Partnership, speaks during an interview with Bloomberg West Television in San Francisco in 2015. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg über Getty Images/Getty Images)
He mentioned that Congress recently passed a Uyghur law, which has now been signed by President Biden, which he says is “not easy” given “legitimate” concerns about American companies doing business in China.
“They also want to be aware of the human rights issues that are developing in Xinjiang,” Bera said.
In response to a question about how US business community should deal with the Uyghur genocide related to whether or not they should continue doing business with China, Bera said there was always the possibility of “retaliation against economic coercion.” give through China.
Bera explained the dividing line between “how we uphold our values and human rights and do not turn a blind eye to the events in Xinjiang, but at the same time understand that we do not want to disadvantage our companies” and others. “
An activist holds a sign during the Beijing 2022 protest. (Thomas Krych / SOPA Images / LightRocket on Getty Images / Getty Images)
He mentioned the backlash Tesla has had over the past few days for setting up a showroom in Xinjiang, China. The company announced on New Year’s Eve that it was preparing to open a showroom in Xinjiang, despite widespread human rights abuses in the region.
The congressman concluded by saying the problem is not going away and that China would not take a “diplomatic exit ramp” if the United States offered the country one.
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The United States has cracked down on the genocide of Uyghurs, including Biden, by signing the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act last month and issuing a series of sanctions and other measures against the Chinese government.
The United States is also planning a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing 2022 Olympics over the issue.
FOX Business’ Houston Keene contributed to this report.
