According to recent polls, if Chinese could vote in the U.S./st1 :country-region>/st1 :country-region> election, Sen. Barack Obama would win by a landslide. While this opinion doesn't differ too much from citizens in most other countries, from a policy standpoint, Obama wouldn't necessarily be better for Sino-U.S. relations than Sen. John McCain.o :p>/span>/span>
If anything, he's been more critical of China/st1 :country-region>/st1 :country-region> than McCain in terms of trade policy. He's been a fierce proponent that China/st1 :country-region> needs to adopt a more flexible currency, and has criticized China/st1 :country-region>/st1 :country-region>'s trade policies. In a letter released Wednesday by the National Council on Textile Organizations, Obama wrote that "China/st1 :country-region>must change its policies, including its foreign-exchange policies." He also pledged to "use all diplomatic means at my disposal to induce China/st1 :country-region>/st1 :country-region> to make these changes." o :p>/st1 :place>
In contrast, McCain adviser Doug Holtz-Eakin told the Wall Street Journal, McCain "is experienced enough to recognize that the relationship with China/st1 :country-region>/st1 :country-region> should not be reduced solely to the value of its currency." o :p>/span>
Of course, some of McCain's policies would be unpopular in China/st1 :country-region>/st1 :country-region>. He would approve arms sales to Taiwan as well as its participation in groups like the World Health Organization, which doesn't exactly endear him to most Chinese leaders. o :p>/span>
All things considered, many China/st1 :country-region> analysts maintain that in these complex economic and political times, the U.S./st1 :country-region> needs a favorable relationship with China/st1 :country-region>. A a result, both McCain and Obama would ultimately adopt a diplomatic and comprehensive China/st1 :country-region>/st1 :country-region> policy. So why do the majority of Chinese citizens favor Obama?o :p>/span>
I brought this question up with some journalism students from China/st1 :country-region>'s Shantou/st1 :placename> University/st1 :placetype> who have been covering the U.S./st1 :country-region>elections. /st1 :place>
Unlike many worldwide who have only been able to view the U.S.elections through the lens of the media, these students have had the opportunity to spend several months covering the campaign in the U.S./st1 :country-region> They've talked to top advisers for the candidates, gone to the conventions and rallies, and spent time with passionate volunteers./span>
Their coverage has been picked up by many major media outlets throughout China/st1 :country-region>, enabling them to provide a more comprehensive view of the elections to their country./span>
From their observations, the Chinese media is highly responsible for the positive perception of Obama. Before coming to the U.S. Zheng Jialiang had "read a lot of articles in China/st1 :country-region> about Obama. More articles than McCain. Ususally the articlesa bout McCain are all negative, but not Obama."/span>
Hua Qi agrees that the media has been more favorable to Obama, but not for partisan reasons. "I don't think it's a partisan bias," she says. "I just think that Obama is new, and McCain already ran eight years ago."o :p>/span>
Hua has noticed the media interest in another political newcomer: Sarah Palin. "The media really cares about Palin," she says. "The New York Times' most-read article is about Palin." She has spoken with several supporters at McCain rallies who were far more excited about his running mate than him. But the media interest and excited crowds for Palin haven't necessarily contributed to the same type of glowing coverage Obama has received. o :p>/span>
Gao Wenhuan attributes Obama's popularity to his unique story. "He's young, he's smart, a very new face, young people are very excited to see change," he says. "Before I came here I just knew McCain is a war hero, prisoner of war, very tough, very strong man."/span>
Zheng says the media's not the only cause for China/st1 :country-region>/st1 :country-region>'s Obamania. "Obama is young and energetic, and he is trying to appeal to young people. Not just young American people, but other people in other countries. When you know English and you can access the Internet, it's easier to see Obama than McCain, and that kind of impression is really great."o :p>/span>
Gao agrees that Obama projects a positive image to the rest of the world. "He has a very good vision about the whole world. He's friendly to even the U.S./st1 :country-region>/st1 :country-region> enemies. He would talk to Russia/st1 :country-region> and even Iran/st1 :country-region>/st1 :country-region>. McCain is very tough on issues." /span>
While Obama has endeared himself to international voters, we won't know anything definitive until Tuesday. Whether Obama or McCain tastes victory, the rest of the world will certainly be watching./span>
/span>