US election hopefuls turn to anti-China rhetoric

Presidential hopefuls in the United States are blaming China's economic policies for the US recession in a fit of "China-bashing" that analysts say may harm bilateral ties.

The latest incident occurred on Wednesday when a top US Treasury official said Washington will continue to press Beijing on currency exchange, intellectual property rights and other economic policies.

Lael Brainard, treasury permanent undersecretary for international affairs, said China needs to do more to work toward a market economy, adding that the US will defend its interests using "all available mechanisms effectively and aggressively".