President Biden ignored a reporter’s question Thursday about whether he had a message for protesters challenging China’s authoritarian government — while first son Hunter Biden reportedly still co-owns a Chinese state-backed investment fund.

NBC reporter Peter Alexander asked Biden at the end of a White House press conference with visiting French President Emmanuel Macron if he would share a message with demonstrators calling for an end to China’s COVID-19 lockdowns and, in some instances, the resignation of “president for life” Xi Jinping.

“Sir, do you have a message to protesters in China? You spoke about [recent protests in] Iran,” Alexander said from the front row of press seats about 15 feet from Biden.

The 80-year-old leader of the free world clearly heard the inquiry but didn’t respond, instead looking at his feet as he dismounted his podium and walked out of the White House East Room.