ABSTRACT
Since 2000, China has greatly expanded its global connections, increas-ing its diplomatic and economic reach. China became the world’s sec-ond largest economy in 2010 and the world’s number one exporter. Chinese-made merchandise became nearly ubiquitous across the globe. Not only did well-established trade with the United States and EU grow, but China also greatly expanded its trade with countries in Africa and Latin America. Its economic clout in Asia also reshaped relations with contiguous states and throughout the entire Asian region. China had become a powerful new global force and, as discussion below indicates, this brought China a warm welcome in some regions but raised concerns in others, particularly over its perceived efforts to secure access to natural resources vital to its continued economic growth.
