Vice President Mike Pence accused China of meddling in American democracy in a  speech on Thursday .  "President Trump's leadership is working, and China wants a different president," the vice president said.

According to Pence, a senior American intelligence official told him China is looking to sow division in the U.S. and that the threat of Russian interference "pales in comparison." The vice president's remarks echo similar rhetoric President Donald Trump  has employed against China .

The hundreds of millions in dollars of tariffs he's levied against the country have escalated tensions with Beijing.

According to Axios, the White House has  been planning  an "administration-wide" effort to "call out" and act upon China's reported actions against the U.S. Unnamed sources also told Axios the White House sees China as a threat to the U.S. on par with Russia.

Pence will be representing the U.S. at the ASEAN and APEC conferences of  Asian nations next month .  Additional reporting by  Newsy affiliate CNN .