As American primary season gets into full swing, China has already become a target for candidates in both parties, a phenomenon that continues a pattern established in the past U.S. presidential elections. This year, 54 percent of Americans held an unfavorable view of China, compared with 29 percent in 2006, according to and only 38 percent hold a favorable view, down from 51 percent just four years ago. And yet, as in past years, the candidates’ comments on China are not confined to attacks.

This tracker, maintained by ChinaFile’s staff and interns, keeps you up to date on what the current candidates are saying about China, and where and when they say it. We’ll be updating the site with new and expanded tools for understanding China’s role in the U.S. election in the coming months.

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