Why 2016 candidates should worry more about China

[CherryPanda]

The world might be fixated on ISIS, Iran's nuclear aspirations, Greece's economic crash and a belligerent Vladimir Putin.

But there's one high-stakes geopolitical riddle that has the potential to do even more to vex the next president of the United States -- and his or her successors for decades: What should the United States do about China?

The increasingly forceful, wealthy and nationalistic rising great power in Asia will pose one of the most significant long-term foreign policy headaches for whoever becomes commander-in-chief on January 20, 2017.

"It's not that ISIS and Iran and Russia aren't problems, but in the long run, the bigger potential challenge is China," said Aaron Friedberg, a former White House national security aide to Vice President Dick Cheney.
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As the debate intensifies, China has not been idle, projecting its own influence in East Asia -- some analysts believe to the detriment of U.S. aspirations to remain a dominant Pacific power.

China has been building up reefs in South China Sea areas also claimed by U.S. allies in a heavy escalation of territorial tensions simmering in the region. One of the artificial islands includes an airstrip, fueling fears Beijing could one day use the outposts to control navigation in sea lanes crucial to the global economy.

Earlier this year, China's Cabinet, The State Council, reoriented the country's naval program to prioritize "open seas" fleets over vessels suitable for coastal waters, a move likely to raise regional tensions even further.

There have also been several alarming close encounters between the United States and Chinese planes and naval vessels, while China has established new air traffic restrictions in the East China Sea that the United States refuses to recognize.

Meanwhile, Chinese hackers are believed to be behind a massive penetration of confidential U.S. government personnel data, which appears to put American government workers at risk of blackmail and expose U.S. spies abroad.
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And given the entwined nature of the U.S. and Chinese economies, there are always fears that an apparent slowdown in GDP growth for the communist giant could dampen the American recovery.

Given that that growth is dipping while China's booming stock markets have shown signs of rockiness, there is increasing anxiety abroad that the bubble could burst. Any resulting large-scale loss of wealth in China -- given the importance of its economic engine -- could have consequences for the global economy more far-reaching than those of the Greek crisis.

National security specialists with an eye on the long game appear alarmed at the way China is evolving.

Why 2016 candidates should worry more about China - CNNPolitics.com

And more it goes about China rising influence and potential.
An interesting article, I should say. And it gives something to think about. I mean, China might be a serious counterpart and is a real power in the region. In the region where our government is heading so willfully, despite being almost ignored.
I think, there is a possible clash of interests in the long term which can harm our economy. What do you think?