The direction that China and U.S.-China relations take will define the world’s future.  For the United States, a rising China increasingly affects American prosperity and security, calling for some clear-eyed thinking and tough economic, political and foreign policy choices. As the 21st century unfurls, the stakes have never been higher for getting U.S. policy toward China right.

To address this complex and sometimes contradictory issue, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and the Peterson Institute for International Economics have launched a joint multi-year project that brings together leading specialists to examine the key questions, uncover the pertinent facts, and analyze the dynamics underpinning China’s domestic transformation and emergence as an international power—as well as its implications for the United States and the global community. The project is chaired by C. Fred Bergsten, director of the Peterson Institute, and John J. Hamre, president and CEO of CSIS.


China’s Rise: Challenges and Opportunities is the latest publication of this project and will be available starting in early October 2008.

The expert judgments in this book paint a picture of a China confronting domestic challenges that are in many ways side effects of its economic successes, while simultaneously trying to take advantage of the foreign policy benefits of those same successes. China’s Rise discusses China’s military modernization; China’s increasing soft power influence in Asia and around the world; China’s policy toward Taiwan; China’s domestic political development; Beijing’s political relations with China’s provincial and municipal authorities; corruption and social unrest in China; rebalancing China’s economic growth; the exchange rate controversy; energy and the environment; industrial policy; trade disputes; and investment issues. The book’s introduction and conclusion address additional issues, such as key trends in China’s political decision-making and its impact on U.S. interests. 

This authoritative, comprehensive, and timely book is an indispensable resource for anyone who seeks a comprehensive understanding of developments in this critical nation.   The primary authors of China’s Rise are Dr. Bergsten, Charles Freeman, Nicholas R. Lardy and Derek Mitchell.  Additionally, CSIS and the Peterson Institute have drawn on the extensive experience of an expert advisory committee (linked) representing a diverse range of perspectives on China.