China poses 'enormous challenge' to US: Pompeo

China poses an "enormous challenge" to the US, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday as he dismissed Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden's comments on Beijing being a no threat to America.

At an event in Iowa City on Wednesday, Biden, who is also a former US vice president, was dismissive of the growing threat that China poses to the United States.

"China is going to eat our lunch? Come on, man. They're not bad folks, folks. But guess what? They're not competition for us," he said.

Biden's comments came days after a Pentagon report said that Chinese forces remain a growing threat, looking to "contest US military superiority".

"He (Biden) seems a little disconnected from the reality that is China today. Maybe when he ran for president the first time this was the situation. But it's certainly not today. China poses an enormous challenge to the United States of America," Pompeo said in an interview on Fox news.

Pompeo, however, said he agrees with Biden that "ultimately, America will prevail".

"I'm confident of that...But it's going to take a serious concerted effort by President like Trump who is prepared to push back against China, whether that be on trade or their military buildup or the theft of our intellectual property. We need a president who will be serious in protecting American against the challenges China presents," he said.