Joe Biden is expected to take oath as President of the USA in the upcoming days.

"As a new American administration prepares to take office, we do well to remember as Americans that the price of freedom is eternal vigilance," Pence told sailors from Naval Air Station Lemoore on Saturday as quoted by Fox News.

"And a free and open Indo-Pacific is essential to our prosperity, our security and the vitality of freedom in the world," he said.

The relationship between China and the USA hit new lows during the outgoing President Donald Trump-led administration.

The two nations have exchanged barbs over numerous issues including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.