Vice President Mike Pence is set to deliver a speech Thursday at the Hudson Institute think tank in Washington, where he is expected to focus on China’s aggressive moves against U.S. military forces in the South China Sea and criticize Beijing for its efforts to undermine President Donald Trump.
The speech will almost certainly deal a blow to the already tense relations between the two countries that have been embroiled in a trade conflict for almost a year.
CNN has obtained excerpts of the vice president’s speech during which Pence will also say that “President Trump’s leadership is working” and that Beijing “wants a different American President.”
His speech, which marks a broadening in the Trump administration’s rhetoric against China, comes only days after a Chinese military vessel nearly collided with a U.S. Navy ship in the waters around the Spratly Islands in the disputed South China Sea where it came within 45 yards of the USS Decatur.
Pence will further deem the incident “reckless harassment” and assert that the United States won’t stop flying, sailing and operating “wherever international law allows and our national interests demand.” The excerpts show he will also warn China that the U.S. won’t be intimidated and won’t stand down.
Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian said the incident happened because the U.S. keeps sending warships to disputed areas in the South China Sea, thus threatening Chinese sovereignty and safety.
“The Chinese military will resolutely perform its defense duties and continue to take all necessary measures to safeguard our sovereignty and the regional peace and stability,” Wu said.
Pence’s speech will mirror previous comments made by President Trump, who recently accused China of interfering in U.S. politics. The vice president is expected to cite U.S. intelligence agencies and claim that Russia’s actions in the U.S. “pale in comparison” to Beijing’s interference.
“Beijing has mobilized covert actors, front groups and propaganda outlets to shift Americans’ perception of Chinese policies,” Pence will say.
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