Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, better known as HasanAbi, was confronted by Chinese security officers during a live broadcast in Tiananmen Square, after he reportedly displayed a meme of Chairman Mao on his phone. The incident led to a temporary halt in his livestream and has since ignited widespread debate across social media.
According to footage and posts shared online, Chinese officials approached Piker and his team shortly after the meme appeared on screen. A translator was heard saying, “They want to see your phones,” as security personnel demanded access to the group’s devices. The stream was paused for about ten minutes before resuming once the officers completed their inspection.
Piker, who has previously expressed sympathy toward the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in some of his commentaries, appeared visibly surprised by the confrontation. Clips circulating online show him cooperating with authorities as they checked his live-streaming equipment and questioned the use of lighting gear, citing local safety regulations.
The incident has sparked mixed reactions online. While some viewers condemned China’s tight media restrictions, others mocked Piker for what they saw as an ironic turn of events, given his earlier remarks in favor of the CCP.
The video of the encounter has since gone viral, drawing millions of views and fueling ongoing discussions about censorship and state control in China.
