TikTok CEO Evades Questions on Uyghur Genocide During House Hearing

During a U.S. House committee hearing on Thursday, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew repeatedly declined to give a direct answer to questions about China’s persecution of the Uyghur people, the Uyghur genocide, and Beijing’s potential plans to invade Taiwan.

By Abliz Iminniyaz
March 27, 2023

During a U.S. House committee hearing on Thursday, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew repeatedly avoided giving a direct answer to questions about China’s persecution of the Uyghur people, Uyghur genocide, and Beijing’s potential plans to invade Taiwan.

Rep. Debbie Lesko (R–AZ) pressed Chew three times on whether he acknowledged that the Chinese government has persecuted the Uyghur population.

“Do you agree that the Chinese government has persecuted the Uyghur population?” Lesko asked.

“Congresswoman, if you use our app and you open it, you will find our users, who give all sorts of content on—” Chew replied, before being cut off.

Lesko posed the same question again, but Chew once more avoided a direct response.

“Well, it’s deeply concerning to hear about all accounts of human rights abuse. My role here is to explain what our platform does—” Chew said.

“I think you’re being pretty evasive. It’s a pretty easy question,” Lesko responded. “Do you agree that the Chinese government has persecuted the Uyghur population?”

“Congresswoman, I’m here to describe TikTok and what we do as a platform,” Chew said. “And as a platform, we allow our users to freely express themselves on this issue and any other issue that matters to them.”

Lesko then moved on to the next question, noting pointedly, “Well, you didn’t answer the question.”