The rise of China as an economic and political power is giving it an important role in world affairs, particularly in Asia, and is also transforming China's relationship with Asian countries. To what extent that role is changing the environment in Asia is studied in this book by scholars from the Japan Center for International Exchange. Since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 against the United States, China's role in international affairs and the global anti-terrorist campaign is increasing in importance and is attracting world attention even though Chinese leaders have preferred to play it down. Since 2001, China has come to realize that President George W. Bush, despite his administration's support of Taiwan, would not accept Taiwan's legal independence. Such an attitude reassures China of Washington's preference for the status quo of "no reunification, no separation." Beijing also realizes that time is on its side with regard to the Taiwan issue.

"This new Chinese confidence bodes well for more accommodating and manageable relations between the mainland and Taiwan, and also for reduced international tensions in East Asia," says Wang Jisi.

Author Wang Gungwu says China has risen three times in its long history. The first time took place when the Qin and Han dynasties unified the bureaucracy of the vast empire that lasted from the third century BC to the third century AD. The second was during the Sui-Tang reunification when Buddhism spread in the country and the third, which was the most important one, took place when the Ming and Qing dynasties reinforced the Confucian traditions as the new religion. The current rise of China may be different but it draws its source from the earlier rises. The rise today takes place as the world has changed and western cultures have spread around the world. Chinese are now exposed to modern culture, which has an impact on their own culture.

In the chapter dealing with political developments in the rise of China, Yang Guangbin says Beijing has followed a two-track system in transforming the country into an economic power since the mid-1990s. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has strengthened its political control over society, particularly after the Tiananmen incident, and at the same time it has guided the country into market-oriented reforms. The constitution has been amended three times since 1988 to recognize the legitimacy of private enterprise, a socialist market economy and the importance of privately owned businesses. The CCP adopted economic reforms but has not touched upon the political nature of the constitution. Some attempts at political reforms were made, but they failed. Today, CCP leaders have consolidated central government authority and improved economic freedom. China today is an authoritarian state, claiming to represent the fundamental interests of all ethnic groups, the most advanced technological production forces and most advanced culture. Those are the so-called "three represents" of former President Jiang Zemin.

The rise of China has implications for Japan, the Korean peninsula and other Southeast Asian countries. The book studies the relationship and the main issues existing between Beijing and those countries. China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have improved their working relationship. But the most obvious aspect of the rise of China is its presence in international organizations, starting with the United Nations where China is one of permanent members in the UN Security Council. China is benefiting from being part of international bodies and financial institutions. It is attracting a large amount of foreign investment as its economy is fast developing. China also has the desire to integrate itself into the international system by joining the World Trade Organization, taking part in debate with Southeast Asian nations and sending peacekeepers in UN missions. Author Ni Feng says China does not seek privilege in the international community, just equal treatment.

"Equality will engender more mutual respect and trust between China and other countries in the world," Ni Feng says.