This book investigates the major internal and external pressures and constraints facing China as it enters the new century. It is widely recognised that in its capacity as a nuclear power and as a member of the UNs Security Council, China plays a major role in world politics. China is also a growing economic power, which according to some economists is projected to overtake the US 20 years from now. China has clearly emerged as the major power in the East Asian region and the major issues of contention in the region such as the tension on the Korean peninsula, the Taiwan issue and the conflicting territorial claims in the South China seas cannot be resolved without Chinas active participation. However, although China has strengthened its economic and political presence in the Pacific region, the middle kingdom has not evolved into a global power on a par with the United States.To many Chinese, this became painfully clear when the Chinese leadership was unable to establish credible sanctions against the West in the aftermath of NATOs bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade during the Kosovo air campaign.China is also facing considerable internal pressures which effect its foreign policy posture.
These pressures include unrest among the minorities in Xinjiang and Tibet, widening regional disparities, conflict-ridden central-local relations and an erosion of the partys role in moral education and community building in both urban and rural areas. This volume deals with these pressing issues and questions as part of an attempt to grasp Chinas role and position in the regional and global post-Kosovo geopolitics.The contributors form a unique group of distinguished scholars from Europe, Asia and the US thereby bringing forth the truly international perspective the big issue of Chinas present and future role in the world deserves.The book will appeal to faculty and students in higher education, policymakers and executives in government and business, and the informed public in general.