Campaigns for the US presidential election are well underway. Both the Republican candidate Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama are competing for the toughest stance involving China. Romney promised to take action against China on his first day of office if elected, and Obama took the relay baton by bringing up a trade case at the WTO against China's automobile industry.
It's an old story, China becoming a political card to play in US elections. This year, Romney and Obama seem to be playing it more heavily.
China has been blamed for the US' falling unemployment rate and taking jobs from Americans.
Frictions on trade issues between China and the US will escalate thanks to the election, and mutual political mistrust may deepen.
The provocations by these presidential candidates are too much for Chinese people to bear. US politicians show an indifferent attitude toward the feelings of the Chinese people. China should not turn a blind eye to such provocations. No matter who the current president or candidate is, they should respect China. They should mind what they say.
The words uttered by Romney are like those of young cynics on the Internet. If he does what he has promised, he will become a president that holds extremely nationalistic views toward trade with China and may trigger a trade war between the two nations. The US economy, in its current state, wouldn't be able to stand such consequences.
There is too much China-bashing going on in these US elections. The things these politicians have promised are not likely to be realized based upon past experiences, but the promises are still very disturbing.
Their speeches are misleading the American public, who will have more complaints or even resentment toward China.
With mutual discontent accumulating, the slogans politicians have chanted may become real actions. Many international conflicts stem from the showmanship of politicians.
As US elections often involve China-bashing, China cannot remain out of the affair. China should play a role in the elections and correct the attitude of both candidates and the American public toward China.
US elections should not be a playground where China is demonized. As the elections bring American attention toward China, China should make an effort to improve its image rather than remain silent over how it is portrayed by the candidates.