CNN's debate livestream was apparently cut off in Beijing after candidates started talking about Chinese human rights abuses
We know some people who definitely aren't watching the final Democratic debate of 2019.
Moderators asked whether the U.S. should consider more aggressive action against China Thursday night, which probably wasn't the best decision for boosting the debate's international viewership, seeing as Beijing reportedly nixed CNN's livestream as soon as the country's human rights abuses were brought up.
CNN international correspondent Will Ripley showed what appeared to be an image of a black screen after the moderators asked about China's human rights record and the mass detention of Muslim minorities.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
For their part, the Democratic candidates mostly condemned the Chinese government for its human rights abuses, with Mayor Pete Buttigieg saying "any tool ought to be on the table, especially social, diplomatic, and economic tools" to pressure China to improve its human rights record.
Entrepreneur Andrew Yang, who was the lone Asian candidate (and sole person of color) onstage, made a more personal statement on the subject.
"I have family in Hong Kong," Yang said. "I spent four months there and seeing what's happening on the streets, it's shocking."
Although maybe the Chinese wouldn't have been so quick to pull the plug had they heard billionaire businessman Tom Steyer, who indicated the U.S. needs to be China's "frenemy." Which, as pointed out on Twitter, is probably the first time a candidate has used the word "frenemy" on the debate stage.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Marianne is The Week’s Social Media Editor. She is a native Tennessean and recent graduate of Ohio University, where she studied journalism and political science. Marianne has previously written for The Daily Beast, The Crime Report, and The Moroccan Times.
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'This needs to be a bigger deal'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
GOP's Mace seeks federal anti-trans bathroom ban
Speed Read Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina has introduced legislation to ban transgender people from using federal facilities
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine fires ATACMS, Russia ups hybrid war
Speed Read Ukraine shot U.S.-provided long-range missiles and Russia threatened retaliation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
New York DA floats 4-year Trump sentencing freeze
Speed Read President-elect Donald Trump's sentencing is on hold, and his lawyers are pushing to dismiss the case while he's in office
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Wyoming judge strikes down abortion, pill bans
Speed Read The judge said the laws — one of which was a first-in-the-nation prohibition on the use of medication to end pregnancy — violated the state's constitution
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US sanctions Israeli West Bank settler group
Speed Read The Biden administration has imposed sanctions on Amana, Israel's largest settlement development organization
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Gaetz ethics report in limbo as sex allegations emerge
Speed Read A lawyer representing two women alleges that Matt Gaetz paid them for sex, and one witnessed him having sex with minor
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden allows Ukraine to hit deep in Russia
Speed Read The U.S. gave Ukraine the green light to use ATACMS missiles supplied by Washington, a decision influenced by Russia's escalation of the war with North Korean troops
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sri Lanka's new Marxist leader wins huge majority
Speed Read The left-leaning coalition of newly elected Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake won 159 of the legislature's 225 seats
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published