CNN's feed of Democratic debate goes dark in China when candidates mention human rights

The live feed on CNN of the Democratic presidential debate went black on Thursday in Beijing when the candidates veered into the discussion of China’s human rights abuses.

Former vice president Joe Biden criticized China over its mass detention in Xinjiang for Uighurs, a Muslim minority in the country.

“We have to make clear is that we, in fact, are not going to abide by [what China has] done,” Biden said. “A million Uighurs, as you pointed out, are in concentration camps.”

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 20, 2019

When asked if the United States could be in a confrontation with China, Biden took a hawkish tone.

“We’re not looking for war,” Biden said. “But we have to make clear we are a Pacific power and we’re not backing away.”

"We have to make clear is that we, in fact, are not going to abide by [China has] done. A million Uighurs, as you pointed out, are in concentration camps." - Joe Biden

Learn more about the Uighurs here: https://t.co/QQczcGP2nu #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/0yjxJoOVST

— PBS NewsHour (@NewsHour) December 20, 2019

South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg claimed President Trump should do more over the human rights abuses in China.

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

The debate now turns to the topic of U.S. relations with China.

Buttigieg begins by saying that the U.S. cannot turn a blind eye to the detention of Muslim Uighurs or protests in Hong Kong. https://t.co/muUCzL8496 pic.twitter.com/FPPlz9YjlH

— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) December 20, 2019