ABSTRACT
The rise of China (Zhongguo 中国) within the international system has been heralded as one of the most significant changes in turn-of-the-century global relations. Much has been written and discussed about China’s growth in power, often referred to as a “rise” or an “ascent” from an isolated state to a regional power to a potential great power capable of exerting much influence not only within the Asia-Pacific region but also on an international level. This growth and influence can be examined in a variety of international relations areas, from security to economy to culture and the environment, all of which leads to the question of which directions the country will take as the “rise” continues. Will China become a global power (or superpower) alongside the United States, and if it does, what kind of global power will it be? Assuming China’s power continues to increase, these questions become ever more important in understanding changes to Chinese foreign policy.
