Ross Terrill, public policy Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Center

With each passing day China steps more boldly into the first rank of world powers. For the Chinese government this represents the fulfillment of a millennial destiny. For the world community this suggests a need for creative thought on what the accommodation of Chinese power implies for the existing world order. And for everyone there is a dialogue yet to be held on how China will respond to pressing global concerns on resource management, global warming and human rights. Ross Terrill puts all this in context.