China’s censors cut off Vice President Mike Pence mid-sentence during the debate with Sen. Kamala Harris when he called out the Chinese Communist Party for its mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic.
As Pence Wednesday night began to criticize Beijing’s response, saying “China is to blame,” CNN’s feed in China suddenly cut out and the words “no signal – please stand by” appeared over a test pattern.
The broadcast resumed once the debate moved on to another topic.
Nathan VanderKlippe, the Globe and Mail’s Beijing reporter, noted the communist-run government’s heavy-handed response to the criticism.
“What it looks like when China censors a vice-presidential debate after a question about China is asked – and then lifts the blackout when conversation appears set to move on,” he posted on Twitter.
Pence said China dropped the ball in containing the pandemic and said Beijing wouldn’t allow US personnel into the country to investigate until the middle of February.
“China and the World Health Organization did not play straight with the American people. They did not let our personnel into China to get information on the Coronavirus until the middle of February.” Pence said.
“Fortunately, President Trump in dealing with China from the outset of this administration, standing up to China that had been taking advantage of America for decades in the wake of Joe Biden’s cheerleading for China,” he continued.
CNN is only broadcast in Chinese homes where foreigners live or in international hotels.
With Post Wires