The US policy toward China enjoys international support, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, noting that he was alarmed by the number of countries that supported the new Hong Kong security law.

Reflecting on the growing tensions between Washington and Beijing, Pompeo took a hard line on China in his testimony before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Reuters reported.

"We see the Chinese Communist Party for what it is: the central threat of our times," Pompeo said.

Many countries support US initiatives such as the move to phase out the use of Huawei Technologies Co Ltd equipment in 5G networks, he said.

"Our vigorous diplomacy has helped lead an international awakening to the threat of the CCP. Senators, the tide is turning," Pompeo noted.

However, Pompeo also noted the difficulty of forming an international alliance against Beijing, given China's economic strength. He said he was "surprised and dismayed" by the number of countries that supported Hong Kong's security law.