ABSTRACT
The 'China factor' has become increasingly conspicuous as the People's Republic of China's (PRC) economic and political influence has been enhanced, but the 2008 campaign was largely reflective of broad historical trends. In 2004 President George W. Bush and John Kerry had sparred mainly over how best to conduct the 'War on Terror', and four years later this remained a key issue as Obama criticised Bush's record in Afghanistan and Iraq. Chinese businesses and institutions are known to engage in these practices, and because the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) enjoys almost absolute political freedom its active involvement in their formulation and advancement routinely goes unchallenged. African farmers in particular struggle to export their produce to a region which purposefully hinders outside access, and it is argued that the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has unbalanced global food prices and exacerbated food insecurity. The United States secured its first resident ambassador in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).
