International Factors and China’s External Behavior

China has developed at a remarkable rate during the past three decades. As China grows, it attracts increasing attention. While a rising China is seen by many as an opportunity,1 others believe it constitutes a threat, if not now then at some time in the future. The debate about the “China threat”—that is, the thesis that China will resort to violence, challenge the international system, and destabilize the existing world and regional order—continues as China’s growth increases.