China’s rapid rise as a regional political and economic power with global aspirations is an important element
of today’s strategic environment – one that has signifi cant implications for the region and the world. The
United States welcomes the rise of a peaceful and prosperous China. U.S. policy encourages China to
participate as a responsible international stakeholder by taking on a greater share of responsibility for the
health and success of the global system from which China has derived great benefi t.
China’s leaders face some important choices as its power and infl uence grow. These choices span a range
of issues: challenges of China’s economic transition and political reform, rising nationalism, internal unrest,
proliferation of dangerous technologies, adoption of international norms, and China’s expanding military
power.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is in the process of long-term transformation from a mass army designed
for protracted wars of attrition on its territory to a more modern force capable of fi ghting short duration, high
intensity confl icts against high-tech adversaries. Today, China’s ability to sustain military power at a distance
is limited. However, as the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review Report notes, “China has the greatest potential
to compete militarily with the United States and fi eld disruptive military technologies that could over time
offset traditional U.S. military advantages.”