ABSTRACT
This chapter examines China’s rising economic, technological, political and military importance. As early as 1959, a Wilton Park conference noted a transformation in China was taking place. One of the recurring themes of Wilton Park’s work was how to make sense of China’s uniqueness as an actor, and how to interpret the meaning of its political model. Was it an internationalist actor, or one which was far more self-centred and self-focused? Added to this was the issue of just how durable its model might prove to be. Wilton Park’s discussions throughout the decades recognised the Chinese were very ‘nationalist-minded’. In 1999 it was noted the vacuum created by declining ideology may be filled by a rise of patriotism and nationalism. This was no doubt inspired by how, a year later, China was thought by many to be en route to becoming a major power. However, population growth and the deteriorating environment were recognised as the greatest threats to China’s future. The chapter also examines China’s regional security concerns, notably North Korea and its nuclear ambitions, and the Beijing leadership’s constant focus on the status of the island of Taiwan.
