China had attracted global attention in the recent past by becoming one of the decisive actors in Asia and beyond. It is the largest country in Asia and bordering the largest number of Asian countries, with the largest population, permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council and a recognized nuclear weapon state.

Its geographical position in Asia provides it with unique privileges. It borders fourteen of the 42 countries in Asia and others by land and with several other countries in maritime dimensions.

China’s emergence as a third largest economy in the world after the United States and Japan in 2008 is providing opportunities as well as challenges. Hence, its political/border interactions with these nearly half of the Asian states are crucial in explaining interstate dynamics in the region.