As America’s election season nears its finish, the debate seems to have come unhinged. Nowhere is that more evident than in the fixation on China – singled out by both President Barack Obama and his Republican challenger, Mitt Romney.

Every four years when the US has a presidential election, many people ask the same question: who is China's choice? This time is no exception. Given a choic

Americans must be careful that we do not allow China saber rattling, an expansion of their military prowess, evidenced by a testing of their first stealth jet, the construction of their first aircraft carrier and tussles over small islands in the East China Sea to draw us into an extended arms race that we can ill afford.

With the final U.S. presidential debate taking place on Monday, President Barack Obama and Republican contender Mitt Romney sparred over foreign policy—with China taking center stage. Despite Mr. Romney’s aggressive rhetoric, would the Republican prove a better choice for improved U.S.-China relations?

In about two weeks, a winner will be declared in the 2012 U.S. presidential election and the chosen candidate will work to form his administration. Wang Honggang writes that an understanding of how each administration would handle the next four years of the bilateral relationship with China is critically important.

Many have argued that the recent WTO case brought by the US against China over automobiles and auto-parts subsides was simply meant to pander to US voters in the key swing state of Ohio. While certainly a consideration, the WTO case hints at a more complex trade relationship that has seen both countries use the WTO as a responsible means of settling disputes.

As the US Presidential election races towards a conclusion, both candidates have intensified their “China-bashing” in recent weeks. Doug Bandow warns that regardless of whoever wins, the incoming President will need to drastically scale back the inflammatory rhetoric upon assuming office or risk long-term damage to the China-US relationship.

Stephen Hess, the editor-in-chief of the 1976 Republican National Convention Platform, analyzes the party platforms of the 2012 election and discusses how they plan to address issues in the U.S.-China bilateral relationship.

The US presidential race is heating up, as candidates President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney hurtle towards their date with destiny on November 6, 2012. This election will decide many crucial issues in the United States regarding economic policy, the social safety net, even foreign policy.

As the national conventions loom ahead, Americans prepare to choose the next president on the basis of economic issues. But it is the return of the neoconservatives that will overshadow the discourse on foreign policy – and China.