"It has been a little over 30 years since the Carter administration established official diplomatic relations with China. Critical to this move was Nixon's visit to China, which paved the way for one of the most important diplomatic engagements of the modern era. The monumental process of opening up to China continues to this day and is wrought with many challenges. However, the breadth and depth of the relationship continues to grow and will be critical to addressing a plethora of Asian and global issues ranging from climate change and energy security to proliferation and the current global economic crisis. ... This volume presents an integrated and comprehensive approach to varied elements of the U.S.-China relationship--political, military, diplomatic, and economic--that is critical to ensure these interconnected elements are reinforcing, and not undercutting, U.S. strategic interests."--P. 15-16.