ABSTRACT
China’s role in world affairs during the next decade will be determined by how a range of possible political, economic, social, military, and foreign policy trends combine to shape China’s future. Political problems, especially perceived differences among the leadership elites in Beijing, have traditionally been given pride of place in Western analyses of contemporary China. The main institution in the party apparatus is the Standing Committee of the Politburo, which makes all important decisions concerning the party. Day-to-day running of the party apparatus is the responsibility of the party Secretariat. The main military institution is the Central Military Commission, which has connections to both the party and the state, but is most strongly linked to the former. Economic reforms have been accompanied by a large-scale devolution of authority from the central party and government organs to provincial and other local authorities who are taking the lead in promoting flexible schemes to foster economic growth.
