The Los Angeles Times reports that many in China view recent remarks by Senator and presidential contender Barack Obama calling China a “currency manipulator” as nothing more than political posturing in the run-up to the election:
“I think this is just part of election politics,” said Mei Renyi, director of American studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University, which has trained generations of Chinese diplomats. “He was writing to a textile group. At this point, I’m not too concerned.”
Others noted that there’s a long history of American candidates realizing, once in office, how much China and the U.S. need each other and how it’s best to move slowly when leveling criticism.
“Both Obama and [Sen. John] McCain are very smart,” said Jia Qingguo, an international relations professor at Peking University. “Once one of them gains power, they’ll realize that issues are more complicated than they thought, that a more reasoned approach is needed.”
But some believe pressure could extend beyond the election.
