China now has the world's second largest economy. Its trade policies and military spending have been issues of concern for the United States.

One test of the relationship could come from Taiwan’s presidential election on Saturday. China considers the island its territory and has threatened to use force if Taiwan declares independence. China held military exercises around the island before elections in nineteen ninety-six. To help defend Taiwan, President Bill Clinton sent two aircraft carriers to the area.

This time, the Chinese government has avoided public comments. Alexander Huang is a professor of strategy at Taiwan's Tamkang University. He thinks the United States and China are seeking to avoid tensions.

ALEXANDER HUANG: "Both China and the United States would like to see the continuity of stability and peace across the Taiwan Strait, because both China and the United States will have a very busy political agenda this year."

And that's IN THE NEWS in VOA Special English. Listen Monday for more about the Republican presidential race on THIS IS AMERICA. I'm Steve Ember.