The themes dealt with here include some of the most pressing issues for the Chinese and those who interact with China the impact of China's development on the world economic system and on its environment, the likely future stability of China, the very existence of a unified China and the fault lines along which this entity might break apart in the years ahead and an assessment of the future of the one-party system and what might replace it. Jonathan Fenby's enlightening foreword perfectly frames this engaging and timely exploration of one of the world's most fascinating cultures.