Why would the Chinese government say that they prefer a republican administration?

Today's interview with James Fallows on C-Span, a correspondent with "The Atlantic" who has spent some time in China was disconcerting. He reported that the Chinese government would be delighted if G.W. Bush remain in office forever. They claim that their economy does much better when the U.S has a republican administration in office. They wanted John McCain to win the last election. Are the republicans a bunch of sell-outs putting our economy, our jobs and our middle cl at risk? Is it not universally understood that in order to have strong economy, you must have a strong middle cl?