China has the world's longest international land border and the largest population.
Governing a nation of this size and protecting its borders is a real challenge.
The nation is rich in natural resources and its vast population brings a huge workforce.
Rapid economic growth has seen China overtake many nations to become the world's second largest economy.
China's new status also gives it a greater voice on the global stage.
As we embark on a new era of Chinese politics, this book looks at whether China can sustain its development and asks if the international balance of power will shift.