Disney CEO Bob Iger has long history of cozying up to China while bashing conservative efforts in the US

Bob Iger, who has returned as chief executive of the Walt Disney Company after less than a year in retirement, has a long history of cozying up to China for corporate interests while bashing conservative efforts in the U.S.

Iger’s ties to China came under scrutiny after the 2020 presidential election when his name was being floated as the possible U.S. ambassador to China under President Biden. His history in China dates back to the 1990s, when he and then-Disney CEO Michael Eisner embarked on an apology tour in the Communist country for Martin Scorsese’s biographical film about the Dalai Lama, "Kundun." 

Eisner at the time called the film a "stupid mistake" and promised the Chinese that Disney wouldn’t do anything in the future that "insults our friends." 

Several years later, Iger was named CEO and in 2010, he reportedly met with China’s propaganda minister and pledged to use the company’s global platform to "introduce more about China to the world." 

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In January 2011, Iger attended the White House state dinner for China. In October of that same year, he was recognized by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations for philanthropy in China. During his remarks, he said he travels to China every year to foster the country’s relationship with the U.S. 

"I can't think of anything that has been more satisfying or gratifying, more exhilarating than finally breaking ground for Shanghai Disneyland," Iger said during his remarks.

In September 2015, Iger attended a second White House state dinner for China and was seated next to Chinese President Xi Jinping, The New York Times reported. Later that same month, Iger was among a group of American executives who welcomed Xi in Seattle for a CEO roundtable, which was co-hosted by the Paulson Institute and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.

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In May 2016, Iger, who was the vice chairman of the U.S.-China Business Council, flew to Beijing to meet with Xi at the Great Hall of the People. 

"China will provide convenience for foreign businesses, institutions and individuals to have exchanges and cooperation with China," Xi was quoted by state media at the time.

"The Walt Disney Company highly values the cultural exchange between China," Iger was quoted saying at the time, "and the US. Shanghai Disney Resort will spare no efforts to provide safe and high-quality service for all the guests."

In June 2016, Disney opened the Shanghai Disneyland theme park, giving the Chinese government a 57% ownership stake in the resort and a 30% share in the Disney management company that runs the property.

Iger told CNBC after the opening that he had been working on developing a relationship with China for 17 years, and that he had "engaged with three presidents and a few premiers and a number of vice-premiers and a number of party secretaries and five or six mayors of Shanghai."

"I know from the engagement that I’ve had with numerous people over time, including President Xi Jinping, that they are very supportive of what we are doing here and what we have done here," Iger said, adding that Disney has "great Chinese partners" and "the approval of the government."

Disney also started working with Beijing's Ministry of Culture, and one month after Shanghai Disneyland opened, Disney released the nature film "Born in China" in the Communist country.

In 2019, during the Bloomberg Global Business Forum, Iger said China "welcomed us there and let us build Shanghai Disneyland."

"I, generally, at least as the CEO of The Walt Disney Company, look at China quite favorably," the CEO was quoted as saying.

Despite Iger’s "favorable" view of China, his take on conservative positions in the U.S. has been less glowing.

In May 2019, Iger said filming in the state of Georgia would be "very difficult" due to the state’s "heartbeat bill," which bans abortion after about six weeks.

"I don’t see how it’s practical for us to continue to shoot there," Iger said of Georgia.

Despite the bill, which has since become law, Disney has continued to shoot films in the state. The Disney+ production of movie "Slumber Party" started in the Atlanta area in September.

In June 2017, Iger resigned from former President Donald Trump's business advisory council over the Republican president’s withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement.

"Protecting our planet and driving economic growth are critical to our future, and they aren’t mutually exclusive," Iger said at the time. "I deeply disagree with the decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement."

In contrast, Iger has refrained from wading into political issues concerning China.

"To take a position that could harm our company in some form would be a big mistake," Iger said in October 2019 after multiple Chinese businesses severed ties with the NBA over a tweet by Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey supporting Hong Kong protesters.

In 2020, Iger stayed silent as Disney came under fire for filming the "Mulan" remake in Xinjiang, where members of the Muslim Uyghur minority are being mass incarcerated. 

The company has yet to condemn the human rights abuses against Muslims in the country.

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Disney’s board announced Iger's stunning return to the company over the weekend and said Bob Chapek, who succeeded Iger in 2020, had stepped down from the position.

"Disney and its incomparable brands and franchises hold a special place in the hearts of so many people around the globe – most especially in the hearts of our employees, whose dedication to this company and its mission is an inspiration," Iger said in a statement Sunday. "I am deeply honored to be asked to again lead this remarkable team, with a clear mission focused on creative excellence to inspire generations through unrivaled, bold storytelling."

Disney did not respond to FOX Business' request for comment.