ABSTRACT
China's continuing emergence as a global power was underlined by the financial and economic crisis, which highlighted its importance to the American economy and to the stability of the world's markets. While reunification seemed as remote as ever, Beijing could allow itself to feel more relaxed and satisfied with cross-Strait relations than perhaps at any time since 1949. At the height of the financial crisis there were calls for the United States and China to reflect this interdependence in a closer form of collaboration and joint international stewardship ranging over more than economic matters, a concept called 'Gz' by former US National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski. In security policy, basic divergences in the positions of Washington and Beijing remained. Japan sought other ways to push forward its security relations under Fukuda and Aso. Aso showed a greater propensity than had Fukuda to push forward Japan's international security commitments.
