"China is the greatest strategic and economic threat facing the United States in the 21st Century," Pence said in a speech at the conservative Hudson Institute in Washington.
"China may not yet be an evil empire – but it is working hard to become one," Pence said.
In his speech, Pence amplified a split within the Republican candidates over the war in Ukraine, and how China will view the continued U.S. response to Russia's invasion of its neighbor.
Pence said it was vital the U.S. gives all military support necessary to Ukraine so it can defeat Russian forces.
"Consider what would happen if the Republican appeasers are successful in pulling support for Ukraine," Pence said.
Persons:
Mike Pence, Leland Vittert, Jim Vondruska, Pence, Vivek Ramaswamy, Ron DeSantis, DeSantis, Ramaswamy, Donald Trump, Tim Reid, Gram Slattery, Ross Colvin, Grant McCool
Organizations:
U.S, REUTERS, Hudson Institute, Republicans, Pew Research, Florida, Republican, Ukraine, Beijing, Thomson
Locations:
Chicago , Illinois, U.S, China, United States, Washington ., Taiwan, Russia, In Florida, Ukraine, Russian