Political change is happening all the time in China, though the government is not leading the charge. Rather, the Chinese people are advancing political change through advocacy by nongovernmental organizations, communication via the Internet, and political protest.

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Both are accurate. China certainly "has risen" to become a global economic power: in only three decades, it has transformed itself into the world's second largest economy, largest exporter, and largest provider of loans to the developing world. At the same time, China is rising: its economic and political system, as well as its foreign policy, is still developing. To state categorically that China "has risen" is to accept that the China of today will be substantially the same as the China of five to ten years from now, and few people in or outside China would accept such a conclusion.

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Elizabeth C. Economy says corruption and the failure to develop rule of law in China now define much of the country's political and economic life. With Xi Jinping poised to take over, the focus should be on significant political reform.

The case of dissident Chen Guangcheng amid high-level talks revealed determination by Beijing and Washington to maintain stable ties, says CFR's Elizabeth C. Economy.

Politician Bo Xilai's sudden fall from grace unmasks long-discussed corruption within the political ranks and undermines a smooth leadership transition for the Communist Party, says CFR's Elizabeth Economy.

The U.S. move to launch a case against China at the WTO over its cap on exporting rare earth metals is the latest international effort to hold China accountable to international trade standards, explains CFR's Elizabeth Economy.

China's search for food and land in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa, reflects the country's pressing scarcity of water. China's approach has set off alarm bells in the region and the United States should work actively to address China's water security needs, argues Elizabeth Economy before the House U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission.

China's rising global prominence, increasing assertiveness and upcoming leadership transition may pose significant challenges for the next U.S. president, says CFR's Elizabeth C. Economy.

Elizabeth Economy says the response to President Obama's latest Asia trip has been mixed, and some Chinese commentators are missing the point.

Elizabeth Economy argues that China's energy challenges show no signs of abating while Chinese leaders are working feverishly, if imperfectly, to meet them.

Elizabeth Economy argues that the biggest challenge that China faces may be lack of access to clean water.

In the next round of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue, underway now, the two sides face difficult diplomatic issues but also a chance to jumpstart engagement on military and cybersecurity matters, writes CFR's Elizabeth Economy.

In this Markets and Democracy Brief, CFR's Elizabeth C. Economy and Jared Mondschein assess the rise of online activism in China and what it means for the country's political system.

Elizabeth Economy testifies before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission on the roots of protests in China and tactics used by the Chinese government in response.

The Obama administration scored some successes on human rights and trade during Chinese President Hu's just-concluded state visit, but there were no breakthroughs on currency and other issues, says CFR's Elizabeth Economy.

A series of frank statements by U.S. officials before the upcoming summit with Chinese president Hu Jintao provides an important new footing for advancing cooperation between the two countries, says CFR's Elizabeth Economy.

This study examines low-carbon technology innovation and absorption in China, India, and Brazil. It recommends a course for U.S. policy that promotes accelerated innovation and adoption of new technologies while protecting U.S. commercial interests.

Clean-energy technology is expensive and the United States is spending far too little on developing it.

As China's economic might expands, Beijing not only wants a greater stake in international organizations but also to remake the rules of the game.

China is irate about the Nobel Peace Prize given to jailed dissident Liu Xiaobo, but it should instead view it as an opportunity to move forward on political reform, says CFR's Elizabeth Economy.