The candidates keep mouths shut about the embellishment of Chinese power.

In part this may be because of a desire to increase Chinese soft power.

Beijing particularly worries that Washington is trying to contain Chinese power.

"It's certainly within Chinese power to make things very difficult for companies operating in China."

Soros has expressed concern about the growth of Chinese economic and political power.

The future will see a huge increase in Chinese power and there is a possibility they'll use it against us.

Washington won't open the door to Vietnam either, though it could help balance off future Chinese power.

The task force report stated it was a "nonpartisan approach to measuring the development of Chinese military power."

Chinese officials have already said they view efforts to force stricter controls as part of a move to contain Chinese economic power.

Chinese political power at the time was firmly in the hands of the ruling Manchu nobility.