CNN's live feed of Thursday's Democratic presidential debate went black in Beijing when the candidates began talking about China’s human rights record and its mass detention of Uyghurs Muslims in Xinjiang.

CNN live feed of Democratic presidential debate goes to black in Beijing. Candidates were asked about China’s human rights record & the mass detention of Muslim minorities in Xinjiang. #PresidentialDebate pic.twitter.com/DSQ9QRu5zA — Will Ripley (@willripleyCNN) December 19, 2019

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South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg Pete ButtigiegBillionaire who donated to Trump in 2016 donates to Biden The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - GOP closes ranks to fill SCOTUS vacancy by November Buttigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice MORE criticized President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden says voters should choose who nominates Supreme Court justice Trump, Biden will not shake hands at first debate due to COVID-19 Pelosi: Trump Supreme Court pick 'threatens' Affordable Care Act MORE for not doing more about China's human rights record.

"For him to let China know that his silence can be purchased is trashing American values," Buttigieg said.

Continuing, he added: "We have to acknowledge what's going on over there — the use of technology for the perfection of dictatorship."