The campaign roils with entertaining tactics and distractions as voters shrug off elite candidates and embrace mavericks. There is no perfect presidential candidate or perfect president, and after weighing their advantages and disadvantages, the less disadvantaged should be chosen.

Mainland buzz about the Republican frontrunner is less about Trump than it is a reaction to US attitudes about China, and his “fans” are really sending a coded message.

In the past, Clinton has openly rebuffed the notion of a “China threat” and the “zero-sum game theory” regarding China-US relations, saying instead that the two countries should jointly rise up against challenges as two people in the same boat. More recently she has been more critical of China, but it is in China’s best interest to continue to reach out in a positive way to any US leader.

The rise of “angry Republicans” crystallizes the polarization of rich and poor in the United States over the past few decades, and ironically they have found a champion in a famous billionaire. Other symptoms, such as systemic political decay and dysfunctional government, also drive populist sentiments that are rising fast in American politics among both liberals and conservatives.

Trump’s comments about disadvantageous global trade deals with China could be considered stylistic simplifications—unlikely to be translated into policies—of the position that the U.S. government has sacrificed the interests of the majority, in order to maintain what can only be described as a global “empire.” A Trump presidency could actually usher in more peaceful China-U.S. relations.

Trump’s comments about disadvantageous global trade deals with China could be considered stylistic simplifications—unlikely to be translated into policies—of the position that the U.S. government has sacrificed the interests of the majority, in order to maintain what can only be described as a global “empire.” A Trump presidency could actually usher in more peaceful China-U.S. relations.

Despite a history of China-bashing during US presidential elections, other concerns are capturing the attention of candidates and voters this year. That could make preserving the equilibrium between China and the US easier this time around, if the will is there in both capitals.

Although U.S. Republican presidential candidates have surpassed the pugnacity favored by their typically hawkish party, the candidates have been unusually soft spoken on China this year. China has been recognized by the Republicans as an adversary worthy of respect, and as a desirable partner in tackling regional problems.