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NBA player Enes Kanter doubles down on China controversy

After China wiped his NBA team from existence, an NBA star has again hit out the country, accusing the country of slave labour.

Matthew Sullivan
3 min read
October 29, 2021 - 3:49PM
Enes Kanter warms up. Photo by Abbie Parr / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP.
Enes Kanter warms up. Photo by Abbie Parr / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP.

NBA star Enes Kanter has doubled down on his damning criticism of China’s government in a series of strongly-worded posts on social media.

Last week, Kanter attracted attention for slamming Chinese President Xi Jinping as a “brutal dictator” and declared that “Tibet belongs to the Tibetan people”, potentially sparking further tensions between Beijing and the NBA.

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In response to his tweet, China wiped his team the Boson Celtics from its TV service without explanation, downgrading coverage of the games to text and photo only.

When asked about Kanter’s comments, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said: “His ridiculous allegation is not even worth refuting.” “We welcome all friends from all countries to visit Tibet without prejudice and with an objective stance,” Wang Wenbin said during a regular press conference.

And in several further posts shared to his Instagram and Twitter accounts, Kanter hit back at China’s response and condemned the oppression of Tibetan people and the

ethnic group the Uyghurs.

He tweeted: “Heartless Dictator of China, XI JINPING and the Communist Party of China.

“I am calling you out in front of the whole world. Close down the SLAVE labor camps and free the UYGHUR people!

“Stop the GENOCIDE, now!”

Enes Kanter has continued to criticise China. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Enes Kanter has continued to criticise China. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

“XI JINPING and the Chinese Communist Party,” he continued in another tweet.

“Someone has to teach you a lesson, I will NEVER apologize for speaking the truth.

“You can NOT buy me. You can NOT scare me. You can NOT silence me. Bring it on!!”

Kanter has repeatedly call out Nike, one of the NBA’s biggest sponsors, for relying on what he calls “modern day slavery”, in exploiting the Uyghurs to manufacture its products.

“Don’t forget, every time you put those shoes on your feet or you put that T-shirt on your back, there are so many tears and so much oppression and so much blood behind it all,” he said.

“Nike likes to say ‘Just do it’. Well what are you doing about the slave labour that makes your shoes.”

During his NBA games, the 29-year-old has worn shoes featuring messages of support for Tibet and the Uyghurs, including “Free Uyghurs” and “Free Tibet”.

In a bid to draw more attention to the issue, Kanter has also sported white sneakers splashed with red and emblazoned with the phrases “hypocrite Nike”, “modern day Slavery”, “no more excuses and “made with slave labour”.

He has received support with a group of Tibetan activists attending one of his Celtics games with “Free Tibet” and We Love Kanter” written on their shirts.

The NBA and China have previously traded words in public after one team official spoke out in support of Hong Kong democratic protesters last year.

Kanter has spoken out to voice support for human rights causes and his messages on social media this week attacked China over what he claims are human rights violations in Tibet.

Enes Kanter isn’t afraid to get political. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images/AFP
Enes Kanter isn’t afraid to get political. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images/AFP

Tibet has alternated over the centuries between independence and control by China, which claims it “peacefully liberated” the region in 1951 and brought infrastructure and education to the previously underdeveloped region.

But human rights campaigners and exiles have accused China of religious repression, torture, forced sterilisation and cultural erosion through forced re-education

Global brands including the NBA have in recent years been consumed by PR crises and faced financial repercussions in China after touching politically sensitive subjects.

Swiss-born and Turkey-raised, Kanter is a devout Muslim, and vocal in defence of various political causes.

He has previously angered the Turkish government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who he has also dubbed a “dictator”.

In more than 700 NBA appearances, he has also turned out for Utah, Oklahoma City, New York and Portland.

Originally published as NBA player Enes Kanter doubles down on China controversy

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/american-sports/nba/nba-player-enes-kanter-doubles-down-on-china-controversy/news-story/dd4a1ff00d86d64b8261f09c43e40b7f