Foreign Policy Blogs

Ticket on China

This CFR article helps tally the stance of frontrunners on US policy toward China.

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Obama vs. McCain on:

The best engagement strategy.

BO. In a more outward assessment, O feels strongly about putting some teeth behind the words of the next American administration, and has been quoted saying:

In Asia, the emergence of an economically vibrant, more politically active China offers new opportunities for prosperity and cooperation, but also poses new challenges for the United States and our partners in the region.  It is time for the United States to take a more active role here , to build on our strong bilateral relations and informal arrangements like the Six Party talks.  

O's focus is to establish and showcase other alliances and potential partnerships (i.e. North Korea) and bring them to the table for multi-party talks to encourage China's hand. O approaches Sino-American relations cautiously, stating that China is “neither our enemy nor our friend,” adding “. . . we have to make sure that we have enough military-to-military contact and forge enough of a relationship with them that we can stabilize the region.”

JM. Shares a rather conservative approach with Obama, on growing the US’ relationship with China. M has reportedly backed US policy that is quoted to "hedge" against China's growing global influence. "That doesn't imply an effort to oppose China's emergence as an influential power, but it does mean maintaining our military presence in East Asia, strengthening our alliance with Japan and our relations with other Asian countries, and working through groups like the APEC forum to further American interests and values."

One China.

BO. In response to the March 2008 election of Taiwanese President Ma Ying-Jeou, O expressed hope that China would respond “in a positive, constructive, and forward-leaning way,” and that China should mirror Taiwan's promised non-confrontational approach, coming to the table on cross-strait relations “with good faith and progress.” Specific suggestions to improve the relationship between the two countries included the reduction of China's military deployment in its southeast region, and affording Taiwain with “greater international space” in the World Health Organization. 

JM. Fortified the current Administration's stance on One China, throwing his full weight behind Taiwan. In response to the island's 08 Presidential campaign, M was quoted as celebrating this milestone as “testimony to the press freedoms, democratic process and the rule of law the Taiwanese people have worked so hard to build,” adding that the election was “a fine example for the region.”