Pompeo, State Department sharpen criticism of China on virus and rights abuses

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his department are stepping up attacks against China over the country's human rights abuses and handling of the coronavirus, barbs that come as observers around the world are outraged at Beijing's treatment of pro-democracy protesters and Uyghur Muslims.

They also come during an election year and as President Trump is struggling to defend his administration's response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The attacks are not new, but they represent a sharpened message on China from an administration whose messaging on the nation has run the...