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VP Debate 2020: Why did China 'censor' Pence during discourse? Internet asks 'can we do that when Trump talks?'

'No Signal — Please Stand By', the message flashed with multi-colored test bars on the Chinese television channels when Pence spoke on the Sino-US relationship

China allegedly censored vice-president Mike Pence's statement on the Sino-US relationship during the Vice Presidential Debate on Wednesday, October 7. “No Signal — Please Stand By”, the message reportedly flashed with multi-colored test bars on the Chinese television channels when Pence spoke on the issue. However, the telecast resumed when California Senator Kamala Harris started to speak on the same topic. During the debate, Pence largely dodged questions on Washington's relationship with China.

"China is to blame for coronavirus," Pence said while elaborating on the US-China ties, but the CNN's feed was reportedly snipped as the debate aired on Chinese TV channels. "President Trump is not happy about it, he's made that clear. China and the World Health Organization did not play straight with the American people. They did not let our personnel into China, until the middle of February.” “But China has been taking advantage of the United States for decades, in the wake of Biden cheerleading for China," Pence added.

Nathan VanderKlippe, the Beijing correspondent for the Globe and Mail, wrote on Twitter, "China censored Pence’s comments on China. Signal returned when Harris began talking again." CNN reporter David Culver also wrote, "The #VPDebate feed was cut here in Mainland China as @VP @Mike_Pence began criticizing #China for its handling of COVID-19. The feed resumed as @SenKamalaHarris began her response. @CNN"

Soon more and more people started reacting to the issue. One user wrote, "Idk what you’re implying but the Chinese govt tends to do this when foreign powers speak about them, it doesn’t mean they endorse Kamala- it’s the same reason social media is so restricted in their country. But god knows conservatives have zero awareness of the world around them." While another wrote, "Sort of like how Twitter can even censor Trump to a large degree and get away with it. No 'but the free market tho' bullsh*t, this is leftist CEOs dominating everything and controlling all speech. That was a great example with China you referenced."

One questioned, "If someone started an economic war with you and is trying to turn you into the next big boogeyman because Russia is not scary enough for them would you want them to stay in power?Why are people even surprised that China is supporting Trump's opponent?" And another one took a jibe on President Donald Trump and said, "Can we do that in America whenever trump talks?"