The purpose of this monograph is to understand how China's culture affects the way it behaves internationally. By reviewing lessons from recent Chinese history and prevailing philosophies, we can see that China has succeeded in their goal of achieving international recognition, both militarily and economically. However, the legacy of the 'Century of Humiliation' runs deep and will affect their future endeavors. The United States must acknowledge that the conditions on the international stage are changing very rapidly and should refrain from trying to apply an outdated or cookie-cutter approach when dealing with China. At the same time, China's growing military capability cannot be ignored. The enduring strategic principles of the indirect approach, timing, and adaptability should be applied when considering Chinese intentions.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)