EDITOR'S NOTE This story is part of "China's Reach, " a project tracking China's influence on its trading partners over three decades and exploring how that is changing business, politics and daily life.

NPR: Eyeing Rich Bounty, China In Line For Afghan Role

But if China continues to consolidate its economic and political power, its assertiveness will likely grow, which will leave U.S. influence on China increasingly limited.

CNN: Analysis: Keeping a check on America's banker

Down the road one can imagine a China that is all those things, and a positive influence on its region and on the world as well.

FORBES: Getting to Yes

Glencore said China is reviewing its proposed merger with Xstrata with a focus on whether the combined company would exert too much influence on China's copper market.

WSJ: What's News

It has distinguished itself by the virtuosity of its rhythmic patterns (changqiang) and has exerted a dominant influence on all the more recent forms of opera in China, the Sichuan or Beijing opera.

UNESCO: Culture