House Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar has pressed Ted Leonsis, owner of the Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards, to cut ties with Alibaba after the Pentagon designated the Chinese tech giant as a “Chinese military company.”
Moolenaar, a Michigan Republican, told Leonsis in a June 30 letter to confirm that Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) has ended or will end any business relationship with Alibaba and its affiliates, including Alipay. The committee also asked for agreements and current relationship data by July 15.
The designation, issued under Section 1260H, bars the Defense Department from entering into, renewing, or extending contracts with Alibaba starting June 30. Moolenaar’s letter says Monumental’s continued commercial ties with Alibaba raise national security concerns….