Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), chosen by Vice President Kamala Harris as her 2024 running mate, is facing renewed scrutiny for comments he made in the 1990s praising Chinese communism.

While teaching at a Nebraska high school, Walz reportedly described the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) system as one where “everyone shares” and citizens receive equal provisions from the government.

A 1991 article in the Alliance Times-Herald quoted Walz telling his students that under communism, “everyone is the same,” with all workers receiving similar pay regardless of profession. Walz also emphasized how the government provides housing and food, portraying the system as a model of equality.

However, his comments neglected to mention the harsh realities of the CCP’s one-child policy, which included forced abortions and sterilizations, instead mischaracterizing it as a mere tax on additional children.

These remarks have resurfaced as Walz is now the subject of a House Oversight Committee investigation into his connections with Chinese officials. Critics argue that his past admiration for the CCP raises concerns about his values and suitability for higher office.

With the election on the horizon, this controversy is likely to fuel conservative criticism of the Harris-Walz ticket, especially regarding their views on authoritarian regimes and human rights.