ABSTRACT
Since the turn of the century, the rise of China has inspired global ambitions and heightened international anxiety. Though Chinese influence is not a new factor in the international geopolitical system, the synergy between China’s growing purchasing power and its political will is drawing increasing attention on the world stage. With China’s emergence as a global economic powerhouse and the Chinese state’s extraction of massive revenues and tremendous foreign reserves, Beijing has learned to flex these financial muscles globally in order to achieve its political goals. Essentially, the rise of China has enabled the PRC to speed up its military modernization and adroitly combine economic measures and ‘united front work’ in pursuit of its national interests. Hence Taiwan, whose sovereignty continues to be contested by the PRC, has been heavily impacted by China’s new strategy.
