Top 9 reasons Barack Obama is better for China than Mitt Romney

President Obama and Mitt Romney have turned China into an election-year flashpoin. And also Chinese netizens debate about who is better for China on internet. Here listed are 9 reasons Barack Obama is better for China than Mitt Romney:

1. Currency Manipulator – Obama won’t label China a currency manipulator on his first day in his second term. While this will remain a sensitive issue no matter who takes office, naming China as a currency manipulator will indeed put unneeded strain on a fragile trade relationship that needs to be fostered instead of discouraged in this turbulent global economic climate.

2. Obama has Asian Roots – Although he hasn’t lived in China, he did spend his formative years in Indonesia. This exposed him to Asian culture and he is definitely familiar with the nuances of Eastern and Western culture.  Not only did he grow up in Indonesia, he attended middle school and high school in Honolulu. Honolulu has a large Asian population and an overall diverse ethnic make-up.  His multicultural background makes him more adept at handling intercultural issues.

3. He is a basketball player – We all know that Chinese people love basketball almost more so that Americans. Let’s face it, when someone has something in common with you, you tend to like that person and may be willing to make sacrifices for them. Maybe the Chinese will let Obama try out for a CBA team.

4. Obama and Xi Jinping – Xi Jinping has a love of Hollywood movies, a celebrity wife, a modest persona, a love of basketball and will be the next leader of China. Does this sound familiar? Michelle and Barack Obama have brought celebrity appeal to the Oval Office and we know of Barack’s love of basketball.  It seems that he and Xi might get along well in diplomatic situations better so than Romney.

5. Obama’s Transparency – Obama’s Administration has been transparent in their decision making and made a wealth of information available to public.  While in the short term, it is unlikely that the Chinese government will be as transparent as Obama’s Administration, in the long run this policy may rub off on to China’s leadership, and give them motivation to make more information accessible to the public.  If Romney is elected, there may be less transparency than Obama, as we have seen in his unwillingness to release his tax returns.

6. Trade Policy – Obama will be flexible but tough on trade policies – Romney plans to label China a currency manipulator from day one, and will likely bring down the ax on trade between China and the US.  This will lead to higher tariffs and less free trade between the countries, and we know that free trade stimulates job growth, which is what both countries need amid the global economic crisis.

7. Obama’s Military Pivot to China – Amid the tension of the negotiations between China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei, the Obama Administration has made a military pivot towards Asia, stationing troops in Australia.  This move has not been an act to contain China, but to maintain order in what could be a hostile territorial dispute.  If

Romney is elected, he could further increase a pivot to Asia with the hopes of containing China’s claims to the South China Sea instead of fostering dialogue among the aforementioned countries.  His likely candidate for Secretary of State will be Joe Lieberman, who would replace Hillary Clinton in the post. However, Obama may replace Hillary Clinton with John Kerry if she retires.

8. Obama is more Likable – Obama has a better personality suited for international politics than Romney. While Romney undoubtedly has a better grip on international economics, his likability does not compare to that of Obama.  Typically, people like to work with other people that they like when they negotiate complex issues.

9. Romney Shipped US jobs to China – While Romney won’t be shipping jobs to China as the President, he did ship jobs to China as a businessman.  Americans lost jobs as Bain Capital ruthlessly executed deals to make US firms more competitive and increase their profit margin. Would Romney apply that same ruthless business acumen toward policy with China?  That is the question.