Pence takes swipe at NBA, Nike in critical speech on China

The audience applauds a point made by Vice President Mike Pence as he makes a speech about the US-China relationship, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, at the Wilson Center's inaugural Frederic V. Malek Public Service Leadership Lecture, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Vice President Mike Pence discusses U.S. China relations Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, at the Wilson Center's inaugural Frederic V. Malek Public Service Leadership Lecture, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Vice President Mike Pence discusses U.S. and China relations Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, at the Wilson Center's inaugural Frederic V. Malek Public Service Leadership Lecture, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Vice President Mike Pence is reflected in a ceiling chandelier as he makes a speech about the U.S. and China relations Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, at the Wilson Center's inaugural Frederic V. Malek Public Service Leadership Lecture, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Vice President Mike Pence speaks about U.S.-China relations Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, at the Wilson Center's inaugural Frederic V. Malek Public Service Leadership Lecture, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Vice President Mike Pence speaks about the U.S.-China relationship, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, at the Wilson Center's inaugural Frederic V. Malek Public Service Leadership Lecture, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

WASHINGTON — Vice President Mike Pence took a swipe at Nike and the NBA on Thursday in a speech criticizing communist China’s record on trade and human rights, saying American corporations have been too willing to ignore censorship and repression in pursuit of profits.