BEIJING — The news that China has overtaken Japan as the world’s second-largest economy was seen by many as further evidence of the Sleeping Dragon’s unstoppable geopolitical re-awakening. Equally significant, however, is the recent standoff between the two countries over the disputed Diaoyu (Senkaku) Islands, which serves as a stark reminder of the regional difficulties China faces. The incident demonstrates the volatility that characterizes international relations in Asia as it experiences rapid and fundamental changes to its constellations of power and influence. To achieve global superpower status, China will first have to become not only a dominant, but also a […]
Regional Complexities Threaten China’s Global Rise
