China's assertiveness is
generating intense suspicion, if not outright enmity, among its neighbors. Its "peaceful rise" is not taking place in isolation. There may be echoes in today's Asia of
the late-nineteenth century in Europe and North America, but this is the one
critical difference. The United States came into its own as a great power without
any major challenge from its neighbors, while Germany's ascent was aided by the
collapsing Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman empires and Russian monarchy on its
frontiers. China, on the other hand, is surrounded by vibrant countries with
fast-growing economies, from South Korea to India to Vietnam, who all believe that
this is their time, as well. Even Japan, after two decades of stagnation, still
has one of the most formidable navies in the world, as well as the world's
third largest economy. China's strategic misfortune is to be bordered by robust
and proud nation-states which expect their own stake in the modern world.