Former US Ambassador to China Gary Locke (left) in discussion with Raul Alvillar, national political director of the Democratic National Committee, about the Democratic Party's relationship with Chinese Americans wand what it means for the 2016 elections. [Photo by AMY HE / CHINA DAILY]

Members of the Democratic and Republican parties said that there's "no room" for China-bashing come election season, when some candidates are prone to negatively portraying the country in their campaigns.

"There's no room for it — and there should not be room for it — in the democratic process," said Raul Alvillar, national political director of the Democratic National Committee.

"Anybody who is doing that — whether it's a Republican or a Democratic candidate — should be held accountable for the comments that they're making because given the day, you're going to be representing folks like yourself or like myself, and we want people there that are representing our interests and our values and our morals," he said. "When there's hatred and comments that aren't good for our community, it's wrong and it's bad."

Alvillar spoke during a panel discussion focused on the Democratic Party and Chinese Americans in the 2016 federal elections, hosted by the Committee of 100 at its 25th anniversary summit. Alvillar, who started in his post last year, conversed with former US Ambassador to China Gary Locke.

Mayor Allan Fung, a Republican representing Cranston, Rhode Island, said that it's the responsibility of individuals in the party to speak up against the use of stereotypes come campaign season.

"I think as an individual and as a party, [we should] be sure that we're inclusive and provide opportunities for all," he said.

"But what we've also seen is sometimes people using stereotypes, whether knowingly and unknowingly, and putting it as part of their campaign ads, and we've seen in the past, there have been some very high-profile cases across the country," he said. "And the rhetoric that gets pushed against China, or using some stereotypes in those campaigns, I think it's a responsibility on us as individuals, the Committee of 100, as a party to be able to speak up when they see those types of stereotypes going overboard."