U.S. President Barack Obama defended his administration's policy towards China and questioned Republican rival Mitt Romney's foreign policy credentials as he accepted the Democratic Party's presidential nomination Thursday.
Obama, a Democrat, said his administration "stood up" to what he has called China's unfair trade practices. His speech also touted renewed U.S. engagement in the Asia-Pacific region.
"Around the world, we've strengthened old alliances and forged new coalitions to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. We've reasserted our power across the Pacific and stood up to China on behalf of our workers," Obama said in his speech, which contained four references to China.
Related video report by Carolyn Presutti
Both candidates vow to "get tough" with China
China has become a prominent issue during the campaign. Romney accuses the president of being weak on China, allowing it to "cheat" by stealing U.S. intellectual property, undervaluing its currency, and illegally subsidizing its own companies. Romney's running mate, Paul Ryan, has said that China treats Obama like a "doormat."
Though he has also promised tougher action on China, Obama has not labeled it a "currency manipulator," something Romney says he would do on his first day in office. But the president has strongly criticized Chinese economic policies and filed a series of high-profile trade complaints that have angered Beijing.
Obama slams Romney's national security credentials
Throughout the campaign, President Obama has tried to portray Romney as not having enough foreign policy experience.
"My opponent and his running mate are new to foreign policy. But from all that we've seen and heard, they want to take us back to an era of blustering and blundering that cost us so dearly," Obama said, "You might not be ready for diplomacy with Beijing if you can't visit the Olympics without insulting our closest ally."
Photo Gallery: DNC 2012
Photo Gallery:
The 2012 Democratic National Convention
Thousands of Democrats, media, and visitors are at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Kerry mocks Romney trip abroad
The president was referring to Romney's recent trip to Europe and Israel, where he offended British leaders by expressing doubt about whether London was prepared to host the Olympic Games.
Former Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry also mocked Romney's trip during an earlier speech Thursday at the Democratic National Convention. Kerry called the trip a "blooper reel," and said the prospects of a Romney presidency have "mystified and alienated" U.S. allies around the world.
