Whether it's looking out over the next few years or the next quarter-century, how the world's most populous country handles the many developmental challenges it faces will go a long way toward determining what kind of world we inhabit. Pick an issue – the environment, the military, international affairs or the global economy – China's choices will have a major impact on Asia and the world. If China makes the wrong decisions, the result will be chilling, not only for the country's 1.3 billion citizens but for many people beyond its borders as well. Conversely, a China that successfully makes the transformation to a relatively affluent, open society will be both an inspiration to other countries and a locomotive that will help to power the world's economies.