The Battle for Power

Candidates' views on China, experts' take and netizens' ideas
Begin
Editor's note

With just days to go before the US election, we take an in-depth look at the election process and the tone of candidates toward China. We ask experts to assess the rhetoric will have on Sino-US ties and share ideas suggested by internet users.

Hillary Clinton

  • Cybersecurity
    "Whether it's Russia, China, Iran, or anybody else, the United States has much greater capacity. And we are not going to sit idly by and permit state actors to go after our information, our private sector information or our public sector information."
    First Presidential Debate, Hofstra University, September 27, 2016
  • Employment
    "I will stop any trade deal that kills jobs or holds down wages, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership. I oppose it now, I'll oppose it after the election, and I'll oppose it as President. ... I will stand up to China and anyone else who tries to take advantage of American workers and companies."
    Speech in Warren, Michigan, August 11, 2016
  • Diplomacy
    "With respect to China, one of the most challenging relationships we have, Kissinger's opening up China and his ongoing relationships with the leaders of China is an incredibly useful relationship for the United States of America."
    Democratic Presidential Debate in Milwaukee, February 11, 2016
  • Trade
    "Right now, Washington is considering Beijing's request for "market economy" status. That sounds pretty obscure. But here's the rub – if they get market economy status, it would defang our anti-dumping laws and let cheap products flood into our markets. So we should reply with only one word: No."
    Op-Ed in Portland Press Herald, February 23, 2016

Donald Trump

  • Employment
    "I'm going to bring jobs back from China. I'm going to bring back jobs from Mexico, and from Japan, where they're all - every country throughout the world -now Vietnam, that's the new one. They are taking our jobs. They are taking our wealth."
    CBS News Republican Debate, February 13, 2016
  • Trade
    "Our country is in deep trouble, and we don't know what we're doing when it comes to devaluation. All countries all over the world, especially China – they're the best ever at it. What they are doing to us is a very, very sad thing."
    First Presidential Debate, Hofstra University, September 27, 2016
  • Infrastructure
    "You land at LaGuardia, Newark, L.A.X., and you come in from Dubai and Qatar, you come in from China, you see these incredible airports. We've become a third-world country."
    First Presidential Debate, Hofstra University, September 27, 2016
  • Climate Change
    "The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive."
    2012 tweet
 
Will US-China relations change?
  • Dan Steinbock
    Guest fellow at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies
  • Nathan Gardels
    Editor-in-chief of The World Post and Executive Advisor to the Berggruen Institute's 21st Century Council
  • Tim Webster
    Assistant professor of Law and Director of Asian Legal Studies at Case Western Reserve University
 
Netizens respond to US election
  • Crawligh, Ohio
    "It's a strange time we live in where the two people who are running for US President are basically engaged in a Twitter war of words."
  • Kelsey Russell, Los Angeles
    "At this point, it's like a class president election in high school, and I'm just gonna vote for whoever can get better cookies at lunch."
  • Airella, Washington, DC
    "Hillary is very knowledgeable about foreign affairs and government, and I trust she would do the best thing for this country.. Plus help the economy and make the wealthy pay their fair share in taxes. She is a wonk and sweat the details, Trump is not an acceptable option."
  • Mr. Weeks, New York
    "Hillary is for ALL people regardless of race, gender or economic status. She is intelligent and has experience in politics and foreign policy. Hillary carries herself in a manner that is respectful and represents this country."
  • Sally Anne Taylor, Nevada
    "My respect for Hillary Clinton is zero, though. No matter how bad Trump looks, she looks worse. Trump speaks his mind, although sometimes too boldly. He appears to be more honest than Hillary. His plans to protect our country and improve the military are important to me."
  • John Ruiz, New York
    "Hillary Clinton would make a fine president; I really don't have any concerns. She has the background, knowledge, and will support all the people of the USA and make every effort to keep jobs, businesses, and safety for the people in the USA while maintaining a working relationship with foreign countries."
  • Josh Gussler, Detroit
    "Donald Trump is like a temperamental child saying anything in an attempt to get what he wants. No real experience and does not seek sound advice. His way or the highway. Not good traits for a president."
  • Robert Adams, Boise, Idaho
    "Trump's dystopian view of America was correct. I think it's hell in the big cities. But after watching the debate, both the real estate magnate and Clinton [are] a "sad" choice for American voters."
  • You Tianlong, China
    "I feel that the biggest misunderstanding is that many Chinese take "House of Cards" too seriously. American politics is complicated, even for Americans. For many Chinese, it's just too confusing. So people take a shortcut. "House of Cards" is so real for them that it filters their impressions of American politics."
  • Hua Jieyi, China
    "A quarrel between a grandpa and a granny can't make things clear; it’s extremely hard to elect a president from them."
  • Chi Xiaoxiao, China
    "What is said during the election tends to be political gamesmanship designed to drum up support by appealing to pressures felt by American voters. This is not new. Over the past several election cycles, China has often been used by politicians for this purpose. But I think whether they are in power, they won't take a hostile stance on Sino-US relations."
  • Yu Hanxuan, China
    "Our great China is affecting the US election. I feel kind of proud. It shows the power of China cannot be ignored."
  • Meng Ying, China
    "I'm already ready for the next president election after this one."
Produced by Opinion Department and Design Department