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“It is no longer realistic to ignore the fundamental differences between our two systems, and the impact that … the differences in those systems have on American national security.”

Last week in a major policy speech, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence attacked China’s record on human rights, trade and methods used to expand its global influence

Pompeo said President Donald Trump, who is seeking re-election next year, had sounded the alarm about China from his very first day in office.

“Today, we’re finally realizing the degree to which the Communist Party is truly hostile to the United States and our values … and we are able to do this because of the leadership of President Trump.”

China has been consistently irritated by Pompeo, whether over his remarks on China’s Belt and Road project or allegations of Chinese rights abuses in the far western region of Xinjiang, and in many other areas.

In a speech in Houston on Monday, China’s ambassador in Washington signaled his country would not take any criticism of the party, which he said was “deeply trusted and widely supported by the Chinese people.”

“To draw a line between the Party and the people is to challenge the entire Chinese nation,” Cui Tiankai said, according to a copy of his remarks on the Chinese embassy’s website.

“Claiming to welcome a successful China on one hand, and defaming and working to overthrow the very force that leads the Chinese people towards success on the other, have you ever seen anything more hypocritical and outrageous than this?”