ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the change in United States (U. S.) power in relation to China from that of a unilateral military force to one based upon economic opportunity and market openness. It analyzes how the change in the nature of power, from pure military power to economic or knowledge-based power, affected US policy toward China. The chapter describes use of trade regimes as a means of explaining how China is getting involved in the world economy. The Open Door Policy adopted in 1978 paved the way for China to enter the world economy. China’s participation in and acceptance by the international organizations entail complex decisions by the Chinese government about long-term commitment and structural change of the existing legal and political systems. It also requires painstaking deliberation among the member countries.
