ABSTRACT

After the Cold War ended, huge and rapid changes have taken place in the world. We are still in the process of transformation; hence it is certain that we are limited in our awareness of the outcome of those changes. However, some dimensions in the process of transformation that are becoming more and more distinct are the swift global progress promoted by the new scientific and information revolutions; the complicated world structure never seen before, consisting of both a sole superpower and some other big powers, multilateralism and multi-dimensional forces; the emergence of non-traditional threats and nonstate actors. We are compelled by these changes to reconsider the traditional international relations theory on hegemony and balance of power, reconstructing the threats to the world and conditions of war and peace, including opportunities and challenges in terms of the strategic choices for individual states. This chapter will closely analyse these new problems and study the strategic reaction with regard to China’s peaceful rise.