BEIJING: China's official news agency is accusing Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump of playing the "China-bashing card" in an attempt to rescue his falling poll numbers.

Xinhua News Agency on Tuesday ridiculed the accusations he made in a speech Monday that China was breaking trade rules "in every way imaginable."

Xinhua called such rhetoric inflammatory and said while his intent was to appeal to blue-collar Midwestern voters; the remarks were dangerous and offered nothing of substance to improve bilateral relations.

Trump in his speech accused China of illegally subsidising exports, manipulating its currency and stealing intellectual property. His criticism of Beijing during the campaign has focused almost exclusively on trade practices with few mentions of its authoritarian political system and human rights abuses.