US Vice President Mike Pence has said China is using "debt diplomacy" and "unfair" trade practices to expand its influence, and has been "put on notice".
The vice president was speaking at a global summit of American envoys on Wednesday.
China, as we've observed, is using debt diplomacy and unfair trade practices to expand its influence, Pence said in his address to global chiefs of mission conference at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department.
He said "as I made clear on that visit to the region just a few short weeks ago, the United States will always stand for a free and open Indo-Pacific where all countries can enjoy freedom of navigation and open trade."