China, the U.S., and the 2016 Vote

ChinaFile, the online magazine of Asia Society’s Center on U.S.-China Relations, tracks U.S. Presidential candidates’ statements on China daily. For a running list of what’s been said by whom, visit the site’s new Election 2016 tracking tool, here.

The U.S.-China relationship is the most complex and consequential bilateral relationship in the world today. Almost no major global issue can be addressed without their engagement; successes and failures in the relationship are likely to have major effects beyond the two countries themselves. Yet in the U.S. presidential campaigns, China is typically only mentioned as a lightning rod for criticism, on issues ranging from human rights to cybersecurity to tensions in the South China Sea. This is not a new trend; China-bashing has become something of a staple on the U.S. campaign trail, though positions and policy almost always soften after Election Day.

Why is that so? And should it be so? What is the public missing, as the would-be successors to President Obama speak about China, and U.S. policy towards that country?

Howard Fineman, Rana Foroohar and Jonathan Tepperman are three veteran reporters covering U.S. politics, business, and foreign affairs respectively, and have this in common: each is an alumnus of a special program called Understanding China – which sends senior US-based journalists for an intensive tour of China, including meetings with top officials in government, business, the arts, education and other sectors, with the aim of obtaining a more nuanced view of that country and its policies. Join us at the Asia Society for a special program moderated by Orville Schell, that looks at China today and the 2016 U.S. campaign, through the special lens of three journalists who understand the issues – here and there – particularly well.











When: Wed., Nov. 18, 2015 at 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Where: Asia Society and Museum
725 Park Ave.
212-288-6400
Price: $20
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ChinaFile, the online magazine of Asia Society’s Center on U.S.-China Relations, tracks U.S. Presidential candidates’ statements on China daily. For a running list of what’s been said by whom, visit the site’s new Election 2016 tracking tool, here.

The U.S.-China relationship is the most complex and consequential bilateral relationship in the world today. Almost no major global issue can be addressed without their engagement; successes and failures in the relationship are likely to have major effects beyond the two countries themselves. Yet in the U.S. presidential campaigns, China is typically only mentioned as a lightning rod for criticism, on issues ranging from human rights to cybersecurity to tensions in the South China Sea. This is not a new trend; China-bashing has become something of a staple on the U.S. campaign trail, though positions and policy almost always soften after Election Day.

Why is that so? And should it be so? What is the public missing, as the would-be successors to President Obama speak about China, and U.S. policy towards that country?

Howard Fineman, Rana Foroohar and Jonathan Tepperman are three veteran reporters covering U.S. politics, business, and foreign affairs respectively, and have this in common: each is an alumnus of a special program called Understanding China – which sends senior US-based journalists for an intensive tour of China, including meetings with top officials in government, business, the arts, education and other sectors, with the aim of obtaining a more nuanced view of that country and its policies. Join us at the Asia Society for a special program moderated by Orville Schell, that looks at China today and the 2016 U.S. campaign, through the special lens of three journalists who understand the issues – here and there – particularly well.

Buy tickets/get more info now