President Obama and Mitt Romney have turned China into an election-year flashpoint , with both candidates talking tough and putting some of the blame for America 's economic woes on the growing eastern power . The rhetorical fight has included barbs on manufacturing and jobs , while accusations have flown on intellectual property violations and unfair trade practices . `` China has been a currency manipulator for years and years , '' Mitt Romney said at last week 's debate , adding that if elected , he would label China a `` currency manipulator '' on his first day in office . He also accused China of `` cheating '' and pledged a `` crack down on China . '' Obama was more circumspect , but also said Romney had `` invested in companies that were pioneers of outsourcing to China , and is currently investing in countries -- in companies that are building surveillance equipment for China to spy on its own folks . '' As the final debate begins Monday evening , the focus will fall entirely on international affairs and China will once again be on the agenda . Both Romney and Obama 's China-related comments during the debate last week irked Donald Gross , author of `` The China Fallacy . '' `` They 're scapegoating China to shift blame to foreigners for America 's serious economic problems , '' Gross said , referring to both campaigns . `` They 're actually exploiting the vulnerabilities , the insecurities that many Americans have about the economy and about the future . '' `` I think it 's particularly dangerous to engage in that China bashing because it appeals to latent , but yet prevalent , anti-Asian prejudices that lie below the surface in many areas of the country . '' The tough rhetoric portraying China as an economic boogeyman did not go unnoticed by Chinese netizens who took to Sina Weibo , the biggest microblog in the country . `` America ca n't solve its own problem so it always uses China as an excuse , '' wrote @ Longhuachuntian127 . Another user , @ Shoujiyonghu 3031271431 wrote : `` China 's stealing American jobs ? Would you come here to get the job and paid one dollar per hour ? Shameless ( Romney ) ! '' Weibo user , @ Guanbenweibodingduanguandian took issue with the way Romney portrayed China as a currency manipulator and wrote , `` America is the true currency manipulator OK ? Why blame it on China ? Why do n't you Americans show how your exchange rates are calculated ? '' Chinese sentiment toward the U.S. has cooled in the past few years , according to polling by the Pew Global Attitudes Project . In 2010 , 68 % of Chinese characterized their country 's relationship with the U.S. as one of cooperation , while just 8 % said it was one of hostility . Two years later , only 39 % described ties with the U.S. in terms of cooperation , and 26 % say they are hostile . Although the Chinese initially supported Obama prior to his election in 2008 , their enthusiasm has waned . Four years ago , 62 % expressed confidence in his ability to do the right thing in world affairs . Today , only 38 % of the Chinese surveyed expressed confidence . Both Chinese and U.S. citizens find themselves in the midst of leadership transition . On November 8 , just two days after the U.S. presidential elections , China will begin its once-in-a-decade leadership transition that will reshape the top ranks of the Communist Party .
During second debate , Obama , Romney talked tough on China . Comment: Chineze netizens decry what they say is blaming China for U.S. economic woes .