Mike Pence, the US vice-president, has accused China of trying to sway the outcome of the midterm elections through propaganda and influence operations in an effort to damage Donald Trump with voters.
According to excerpts from a hard-hitting speech that Mr Pence will deliver on Thursday, Mr Pence accused China of doing more to meddle in US democracy than the accusations levelled against Russia.
“Beijing has mobilised covert actors, front groups, and propaganda outlets to shift Americans’ perception of Chinese policies,” Mr Pence said. “As a senior career member of our intelligence community recently told me, what the Russians are doing pales in comparison to what the China is doing across this country.”