ABSTRACT
This chapter seeks to shed light on the complexity of China's relationship with the rules of global governance. It provides a brief overview of how China's attitude toward the Western-dominated international order has evolved, particularly during the reform era. As a rising economic power, China's role in the world is changing. Many wonder if China is beginning to make the transition from a rule taker in global governance to a rule breaker and a rule maker. A careful analysis shows that China was much more interested in adopting international rules on economic matters, science and technology, and education, than on legal and political matters. The rapid growth of the Chinese economy has created a seemingly insatiable demand for energy and natural resources from other parts of the world especially in Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia. It has also put strong pressure on the Chinese government to seek overseas markets for Chinese output.
