When China entered the global stage as a serious player, the established actors assigned it a supporting role. But the new actor was too good a performer to remain on the sidelines. It made its way into the limelight and not only joined the act, but changed the allocation of roles and the setting of the stage.
John and Doris Naisbitt, authors of China Megatrends
The national leaders and bureaucrats of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) have actively attended, initiated, promoted or made skillful use of regional multi- lateral political, economic, and security institutions like the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), ASEAN + China, Japan, and Korea (ASEAN + 3) / ASEAN + China, Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Six-Party Talks (6PT) and the China–Pacific Island Countries Economic Development and Cooperation (CPIC) Forum, to accelerate regional cooperation and integration with neighboring states, convince Asian states that China’s rise will not threaten the regional order and their national interests, and exploit its role and diplomacy in the Asia-Pacific as a launch pad for greater influence in world affairs.