It's pretty remarkable to watch the ongoing Sarah Palin media circus right now. When it comes to Obama, Biden, and McCain, you're just a brief Google search away from finding some of their past statements or legislations on a myriad of issues. /span>
When it comes to Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, however, we now know much more about her daughter's pregnancy, photo spread in Vogue Magazine, workout routine, and even her husband's snowmobile racing than her stance on the issues. /span>
Although her statements and positions on China/st1 :country-region> and haven't been widely reported, some of her policies as governor might shed some light on the way she views U.S.-China relations. We should know more tonight when she gives the biggest speech of her life thus far, but in the meantime, a quick overview of some of her policies as governor indicate that she's probably not too likely to play the China-bashing card. /span>
In terms of trade, during Palin’s tenure as governor, exports from Alaskato China/st1 :country-region> increased considerably during the past two years. According to Alaska’s 2006 international trade report, Alaskas exports to China/st1 :country-region> grew 40.7% that year to $474 million. Between 2006 and 2007, the seafood exports to China/st1 :country-region> increased another 27% to $411 million in 2007, up from $323 million the previous year./span>
In the March 2008 trade report, Palin says, "we are continuing to push hard both at home and international markets so we can receive the highest possible value for our fish," so I assume that when transferred to the national level, this would indicate that she would push for increased trade with China, especially when it comes to exporting U.S. products./span>
At the same time, she also wants to "keep Alaska/st1 :state> residents first. We will help Alaska/st1 :state> businesses succeed in their key international markets. We will improve Alaska/st1 :state>'s positive international relations with our key trading partners. We will help open new doors." /span>
In terms of trade, Palin’s stance is pretty straightforward: opening doors within international markets contributes to economic growth. Granted, Alaskan fishermen don't necessarily face the same type of overseas competition as South Carolina/st1 :place> textile workers or auto workers in Michigan. Regardless, Palin's administration has increased trade, which in turn has boosted Alaska/st1 :state>'s economy. /span>
Beyond trade, Alaskaseems to have warm relations with China/st1 :country-region>. In May 2007, Palin met with Chinas Minister of Health Gao Qiang, where he and other health officials observed Alaska/st1 :place>'s rural healthcare facilities. She was "honored" to receive Gao's delegation, which she said allowed Alaskans to "be part of an important dialogue between the U.S.and China/st1 :place> about rural health care, a topic with global ramifications." /span>
While these comments aren't really much more than diplomatic rhetoric, Palin has had friendly exchanges with Chinese leadership. These meetings, of course, don't really set her apart from countless other politicians worldwide, but her overall stance towards China/st1 :country-region> seems fairly positive./span>
All things considered, Palin has a lot to prove over the next two months. From the surface, she favors free trade and has relationships with Chinese officials, but that's not enough to satisfy those who are curious about her positions. /span>
The fact that she hasn't had radical proposals, like boycotting all Chinese toy imports, already seems to put her in a more China-friendly position than both Obama and Biden. On the other hand, shifting the media focus from her beauty pageant photos to her policies will be a daunting challenge./span>
