When Chinese Premier Deng Xiaoping unleashed economic reforms in the People's Republic of China (PRC) almost 30 years ago, no one imagined the effect it would have on China — or the world. Finally freed from the shackles of an inefficient command economy, these reforms transformed the PRC into a commercial juggernaut and a rapidly rising diplomatic and military force in world politics — to say nothing of a potential military competitor for the U.S.

http://www.armedforcesjournal.com/2006/07/1855092