Washington (CNN)Retired NBA superstar Charles Barkley had harsh words for Mike Pence on Thursday after the vice president accused the league of acting as a "wholly owned subsidiary" of China.

The league has been scrutinized over its business relationship with China after Daryl Morey, the general manager of the Houston Rockets, tweeted his support for the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong. Morey quickly apologized and deleted his original tweet, but the league's Chinese partners suspended ties, state broadcaster CCTV halted all broadcasts of preseason games, and the Chinese government said the NBA needed to show "mutual respect." China did not air the Rockets' season opener on Thursday, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The controversy has led to accusations that the NBA is prioritizing business interests over American values, but Barkley pointed out that the US and others do business in China regardless.

"Vice President Pence needs to shut the hell up," Barkley said on "Inside the NBA" on TNT, which is a part of WarnerMedia, along with CNN. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver was on the panel as well.