Chinas unprecedented growth has placed it on the verge of overtaking the United States as the worlds preeminent power. But what type of power will China become? In todays interconnected and globalized world, the answer effects each and every one of us. In Pakistan and Afghanistan Chinas investment in infrastructure and humanitarian activities have won it the hearts and minds of the people. Yet in Tibet and Xinjiang China is reviled as an imperialistic abuser of human rights. Will China follow in the footsteps of historys other great powers and use its strength to dominate its neighbors, trample ethnic and religious minorities, and become a 21st empire? Or will a wealthy Chinas youth lead the country towards a democracy, much like Taiwan? Does the international community share responsibility in the outcome? Or is it too dependent on Chinese trade to care? Whether its a peaceful rise or potential threat, China's 21st century emergence as a great world power will change the lives of everyone.
