Tough on China

Relations with Beijing have plummeted under Trump, who has made being tough on China a key plank of his reelection campaign.

According to the Pew Research Center, Americans in both parties "now see China much more negatively than in the recent past," with 83% of Republicans surveyed saying they have a unfavorable view of the country. According to Pew, while Republicans have long been suspicious of Beijing, Democrats in recent years have also become more suspicious -- 68% of supporters surveyed said they viewed China unfavorably -- so there is growing consensus on the issue.

'Enemy of humanity'

In his remarks at the RNC, Chen said that "standing up to tyranny is not easy. I know."

"When I spoke out against China's 'one child' policy and other injustices, I was persecuted, beaten, and put under house arrest by the government," he said. "In April, 2012, I escaped and was given shelter in the American embassy in Beijing. I am forever grateful to the American people for welcoming me and my family to the United States where we are now free."

During his speech Wednesday, Chen called the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) "an enemy of humanity" that "is threatening the well-being of the world," listing a variety of issues including China's oppression of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang, an ongoing crackdown in Hong Kong, and threats towards Taiwan.

Echoing Trump, Chen added that "the coronavirus pandemic, originating in China -- and covered up by the CCP -- has caused mass death and social upheaval around the world."