beyond economic issues and into political and military areas,<\/a> including a concerted push back by the US military against Beijing’s claims in the South China Sea.<\/p>\nIn his speech Saturday, Pence announced the United States would be building a military base in Papua New Guinea, in cooperation with Australia, further entrenching Washington’s military presence in Asia and the Pacific.<\/p>\n
“We will work with these two nations to protect sovereignty and maritime rights in the Pacific Islands,” he said in his speech.<\/p>\n
Both Xi and Pence were pushing a strong message of solidarity with the leaders of Pacific Island nations, with whom the Chinese leader met one-on-one during his first full day in the country Friday.<\/p>\n
In his speech, Xi said the world needed to “draw upon each other’s strengths and pursue coexistence,” rather than criticize other countries’ domestic choices.<\/p>\n
“We should reject arrogance and prejudice, be respectful and inclusive toward others, and embrace the diversity of our world,” he said.<\/p>\n
It comes as Beijing is facing increasingly stern criticism from countries around the world for the Chinese government’s crackdown in Xinjiang province, which has reportedly seen at least 1 million Muslim-majority Uyghur people locked up in “re-education camps.”<\/p>\n <\/section>\nThe Chinese Foreign Ministry reacted fiercely to reports that 15 Western diplomats in Beijing were preparing a draft letter demanding an explanation for the crackdown Thursday.<\/p>\n
“I don’t know why they are worrying about Xinjiang’s situation. Why did they make this kind of request that puts pressure on China? I think this kind of action is very unreasonable,” ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters.<\/p>\n
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