CHAPTER_NN1 12_CRD THE_AT0 BIG_AJ0 CYCLE_NN1 RISE_NN1 OF_PRF CHINA_NP0 AND_CJC THE_AT0 RENMINBI_NN1 
Emotions_NN2 have_VHB been_VBN running_VVG so_AV0 high_AJ0 between_PRP the_AT0 US_NP0 and_CJC China_NP0 that_CJT many_DT0 people_NN0 have_VHB urged_VVN me_PNP not_XX0 to_TO0 publish_VVI this_DT0 chapter_NN1 ._SENT We_PNP are_VBB in_PRP a_AT0 kind_NN1 of_PRF war_NN1 ,_PUN they_PNP say_VVB ;_PUN any_DT0 complimentary_AJ0 things_NN2 you_PNP write_VVB about_PRP China_NP0 will_VM0 alienate_VVI US_NP0 readers_NN2 ,_PUN while_CJS criticism_NN1 of_PRF China_NP0 will_VM0 infuriate_VVI the_AT0 Chinese_AJ0 —_PUN and_CJC the_AT0 media_NN0 will_VM0 make_VVI things_NN2 worse_AJC by_PRP distorting_VVG everything_PNI you_PNP say_VVB ._SENT That_DT0 's_VBZ probably_AV0 true_AJ0 ,_PUN but_CJC I_PNP ca_VM0 n't_XX0 not_XX0 speak_VVI openly_AV0 because_CJS the_AT0 US-China_AJ0 relationship_NN1 is_VBZ too_AV0 important_AJ0 to_TO0 be_VBI left_VVN unmentioned_AJ0 by_PRP anyone_PNI who_PNQ knows_VVZ both_DT0 countries_NN2 as_CJS well_AV0 as_CJS I_PNP do_VDB ._SENT To_TO0 not_XX0 speak_VVI honestly_AV0 would_VM0 cost_VVI me_PNP my_DPS self-respect_NN1 ._SENT 
I_PNP 'm_VBB not_XX0 afraid_AJ0 of_PRF criticism_NN1 ;_PUN I_PNP welcome_VVB it_PNP ._SENT What_DTQ I_PNP am_VBB passing_VVG along_AVP here_AV0 is_VBZ just_AV0 the_AT0 latest_AJS iteration_NN1 of_PRF my_DPS learning_NN1 process_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ is_VBZ to_TO0 develop_VVI my_DPS perspectives_NN2 through_PRP direct_AJ0 experiences_NN2 and_CJC research_NN1 ,_PUN to_TO0 write_VVI up_AVP what_DTQ I_PNP learn_VVB ,_PUN to_TO0 stress_VVI test_VVI it_PNP by_PRP showing_VVG it_PNP to_PRP smart_AJ0 people_NN0 ,_PUN to_TO0 explore_VVI our_DPS differences_NN2 if_CJS and_CJC when_CJS we_PNP have_VHB them_PNP ,_PUN to_TO0 evolve_VVI my_DPS thinking_NN1 some_DT0 more_DT0 ,_PUN and_CJC do_VDB that_DT0 over_AVP and_CJC over_AVP again_AV0 until_CJS I_PNP die_VVB ._SENT While_CJS this_DT0 study_NN1 reflects_VVZ nearly_AV0 40_CRD years_NN2 of_PRF doing_VDG just_AV0 that_DT0 with_PRP China_NP0 ,_PUN it_PNP is_VBZ still_AV0 incomplete_AJ0 ;_PUN it_PNP is_VBZ right_AJ0 and_CJC wrong_AJ0 in_PRP ways_NN2 that_CJT have_VHB yet_AV0 to_TO0 be_VBI discovered_VVN ,_PUN and_CJC it_PNP is_VBZ provided_VVN to_PRP you_PNP to_TO0 use_VVI or_CJC criticize_VVI in_PRP the_AT0 spirit_NN1 of_PRF finding_VVG out_AVP what_DTQ 's_VBZ true_AJ0 ._SENT 
This_DT0 chapter_NN1 is_VBZ focused_VVN on_PRP China_NP0 and_CJC Chinese_AJ0 history_NN1 ;_PUN the_AT0 following_AJ0 chapter_NN1 is_VBZ on_PRP US-China_AJ0 relations_NN2 ._SENT What_DTQ I_PNP hope_VVB to_TO0 provide_VVI in_PRP this_DT0 chapter_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT0 better_AJC understanding_NN1 of_PRF where_AVQ the_AT0 Chinese_AJ0 are_VBB coming_VVG from_PRP —_PUN of_PRF how_AVQ they_PNP see_VVB us_PNP and_CJC themselves_PNX as_PRP a_AT0 result_NN1 of_PRF having_VHG lived_VVN through_PRP their_DPS history_NN1 ._SENT While_CJS I_PNP 'm_VBB not_XX0 a_AT0 scholar_NN1 of_PRF Chinese_AJ0 culture_NN1 and_CJC the_AT0 Chinese_AJ0 way_NN1 of_PRF operating_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP believe_VVB that_CJT my_DPS numerous_AJ0 direct_AJ0 encounters_NN2 with_PRP China_NP0 ,_PUN my_DPS historical_AJ0 and_CJC economic_AJ0 research_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC my_DPS US_NP0 and_CJC global_AJ0 perspective_NN1 give_VVB me_PNP a_AT0 unique_AJ0 sense_NN1 of_PRF its_DPS past_NN1 and_CJC present_NN1 ._SENT After_CJS you_PNP read_VVB this_DT0 ,_PUN you_PNP can_VM0 decide_VVI for_PRP yourself_PNX whether_CJS or_CJC not_XX0 that_DT0 's_VBZ true_AJ0 ._SENT 
China_NP0 's_POS culture_NN1 ,_PUN by_PRP which_DTQ I_PNP mean_VVB its_DPS people_NN0 's_POS innate_AJ0 expectations_NN2 about_PRP how_AVQ families_NN2 and_CJC communities_NN2 should_VM0 behave_VVI with_PRP each_DT0 other_AJ0 and_CJC how_AVQ leaders_NN2 should_VM0 lead_VVI and_CJC followers_NN2 should_VM0 follow_VVI ,_PUN evolved_VVN over_PRP thousands_CRD of_PRF years_NN2 through_PRP the_AT0 rises_NN2 and_CJC falls_NN2 of_PRF its_DPS many_DT0 ruling_AJ0 dynasties_NN2 and_CJC the_AT0 development_NN1 of_PRF Confucian_AJ0 and_CJC Neo-Confucian_AJ0 philosophy_NN1 as_CJS well_AV0 as_CJS other_AJ0 beliefs_NN2 ._SENT I_PNP have_VHB seen_VVN these_DT0 typical_AJ0 Chinese_AJ0 values_NN2 and_CJC ways_NN2 of_PRF operating_NN1 manifested_VVD over_AVP and_CJC over_AVP again_AV0 ;_PUN for_PRP example_NN1 ,_PUN in_PRP the_AT0 economic_AJ0 and_CJC leadership_NN1 approaches_NN2 of_PRF two_CRD men_NN2 :_PUN Lee_NP0 Kuan_NP0 Yew_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 former_DT0 long-time_AJ0 prime_AJ0 minister_NN1 of_PRF Singapore_NP0 ,_PUN and_CJC Deng_NP0 Xiaoping_NP0 ,_PUN who_PNQ initiated_VVD China_NP0 's_POS reform_NN1 and_CJC opening_VVG up_AVP ._SENT Both_DT0 combined_AJ0 Confucian_AJ0 values_NN2 with_PRP capitalist_AJ0 practices_NN2 ,_PUN in_PRP Deng_NP0 's_POS case_NN1 creating_VVG a_AT0 "_PUQ socialist_AJ0 market_NN1 economy_NN1 with_PRP Chinese_AJ0 characteristics_NN2 ._SENT "_PUQ 
Over_PRP the_AT0 last_ORD couple_NN1 of_PRF years_NN2 ,_PUN as_PRP part_NN1 of_PRF my_DPS study_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 rises_NN2 and_CJC declines_NN2 of_PRF empires_NN2 and_CJC their_DPS currencies_NN2 ,_PUN I_PNP have_VHB also_AV0 undertaken_VVN a_AT0 study_NN1 of_PRF Chinese_AJ0 history_NN1 to_TO0 help_VVI me_PNP understand_VVI how_AVQ the_AT0 Chinese_AJ0 think_NN1 —_PUN especially_AV0 their_DPS leaders_NN2 ,_PUN who_PNQ are_VBB greatly_AV0 influenced_VVN by_PRP history_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP began_VVD my_DPS research_NN1 with_PRP the_AT0 year_NN1 600_CRD ,_PUN just_AV0 before_CJS the_AT0 Tang_NN1 Dynasty.1_NN1 While_CJS I_PNP can_VM0 be_VBI pretty_AV0 certain_AJ0 about_PRP my_DPS impressions_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 people_NN0 and_CJC things_NN2 that_CJT I_PNP have_VHB had_VHN direct_AJ0 contact_NN1 with_PRP ,_PUN I_PNP of_PRF course_NN1 ca_VM0 n't_XX0 be_VBI as_AV0 certain_AJ0 about_PRP those_DT0 I_PNP have_VHB n't_XX0 ._SENT My_DPS thoughts_NN2 about_PRP historical_AJ0 figures_NN2 such_DT0 as_PRP Mao_NP0 Zedong_NP0 are_VBB based_VVN on_PRP facts_NN2 gathered_VVN ,_PUN experts_NN2 '_POS thinking_NN1 gathered_VVN from_PRP conversations_NN2 and_CJC books_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC conjecture_NN1 ._SENT What_DTQ I_PNP can_VM0 say_VVI is_VBZ that_CJT between_PRP my_DPS own_DT0 experience_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 efforts_NN2 of_PRF my_DPS research_NN1 team_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC my_DPS extensive_AJ0 triangulation_NN1 with_PRP some_DT0 of_PRF the_AT0 most_AV0 knowledgeable_AJ0 China_NN1 scholars_NN2 and_CJC practitioners_NN2 on_PRP the_AT0 planet_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP have_VHB a_AT0 high_AJ0 degree_NN1 of_PRF confidence_NN1 in_PRP my_DPS conclusions_NN2 ._SENT 
Since_CJS my_DPS first_ORD trip_NN1 to_PRP China_NP0 in_PRP 1984_CRD ,_PUN I_PNP have_VHB come_VVN to_TO0 know_VVI many_DT0 Chinese_AJ0 ,_PUN from_PRP the_AT0 lowest_AJS to_PRP the_AT0 highest_AJS in_PRP rank_NN1 ,_PUN in_PRP an_AT0 up-close_NN1 ,_PUN personal_AJ0 way_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC I_PNP have_VHB experienced_VVN their_DPS recent_AJ0 history_NN1 as_CJS directly_AV0 as_CJS I_PNP have_VHB experienced_VVN America_NP0 's_POS ._SENT As_CJS a_AT0 result_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP believe_VVB that_CJT I_PNP understand_VVB both_DT0 the_AT0 American_AJ0 and_CJC Chinese_AJ0 perspectives_NN2 pretty_AV0 well_AV0 ._SENT I_PNP urge_VVB those_DT0 of_PRF you_PNP who_PNQ have_VHB n't_XX0 spent_VVN considerable_AJ0 time_NN1 in_PRP China_NP0 to_TO0 look_VVI past_PRP the_AT0 caricatured_AJ0 pictures_NN2 that_CJT are_VBB often_AV0 painted_VVN by_PRP biased_AJ0 parties_NN2 and_CJC rid_VVN yourself_PNX of_PRF any_DT0 stereotypes_NN2 you_PNP might_VM0 have_VHI that_DT0 are_VBB based_VVN on_PRP what_DTQ you_PNP thought_VVD you_PNP knew_VVD about_PRP the_AT0 old_AJ0 "_PUQ communist_AJ0 China_NP0 "_PUQ —_PUN because_CJS they_PNP 're_VBB wrong_AJ0 ._SENT Triangulate_VVB whatever_DTQ you_PNP are_VBB hearing_VVG or_CJC reading_VVG with_PRP people_NN0 who_PNQ have_VHB spent_VVN a_AT0 lot_NN1 of_PRF time_NN1 in_PRP China_NP0 working_VVG with_PRP the_AT0 Chinese_AJ0 people_NN0 ._SENT As_CJS an_AT0 aside_AV0 ,_PUN I_PNP think_VVB the_AT0 widespread_AJ0 media_NN0 distortions_NN2 and_CJC the_AT0 blind_AJ0 and_CJC near-violent_AJ0 loyalties_NN2 that_CJT stand_VVB in_PRP the_AT0 way_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 thoughtful_AJ0 exploration_NN1 of_PRF our_DPS different_AJ0 perspectives_NN2 are_VBB a_AT0 frightening_AJ0 sign_NN1 of_PRF our_DPS times_NN2 ._SENT 
To_TO0 be_VBI clear_AJ0 ,_PUN I_PNP 'm_VBB not_XX0 ideological_AJ0 ._SENT I_PNP do_VDB n't_XX0 choose_VVI a_AT0 side_NN1 on_PRP an_AT0 issue_NN1 based_VVN on_AVP whether_CJS it_PNP aligns_VVZ with_PRP American_AJ0 ,_PUN Chinese_AJ0 ,_PUN or_CJC my_DPS own_DT0 personal_AJ0 beliefs_NN2 ._SENT I_PNP 'm_VBB practical_AJ0 ;_PUN I_PNP approach_VVB things_NN2 like_PRP a_AT0 doctor_NN1 who_PNQ relies_VVZ on_PRP logic_NN1 and_CJC cause_NN1 /_PUN effect_NN1 relationships_NN2 and_CJC believes_VVZ in_PRP what_DTQ works_VVZ well_AV0 through_PRP time_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 only_AJ0 thing_NN1 I_PNP can_VM0 do_VDI is_VBZ beg_VVI for_PRP your_DPS patience_NN1 and_CJC open-mindedness_NN1 as_CJS I_PNP share_VVB what_DTQ I_PNP 've_VHB learned_VVN with_PRP you_PNP ._SENT 
I_PNP laid_VVD out_AVP the_AT0 factors_NN2 that_CJT I_PNP believe_VVB are_VBB most_AV0 important_AJ0 to_PRP a_AT0 country_NN1 's_POS health_NN1 when_CJS I_PNP discussed_VVD the_AT0 18_CRD determinants_NN2 at_PRP the_AT0 beginning_NN1 of_PRF this_DT0 book_NN1 ._SENT Of_PRF those_DT0 ,_PUN I_PNP highlighted_VVD eight_CRD measures_NN2 of_PRF power_NN1 :_PUN education_NN1 ,_PUN competitiveness_NN1 ,_PUN innovation_NN1 /_PUN technology_NN1 ,_PUN trade_NN1 ,_PUN economic_AJ0 output_NN1 ,_PUN military_AJ0 ,_PUN financial_AJ0 center_NN1 status_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC reserve_AJ0 currency_NN1 status_NN1 ._SENT When_CJS I_PNP judge_VVB China_NP0 's_POS strengths_NN2 and_CJC weaknesses_NN2 ,_PUN it_PNP is_VBZ through_PRP the_AT0 lens_NN1 of_PRF those_DT0 factors_NN2 ._SENT I_PNP also_AV0 try_VVB to_TO0 understand_VVI China_NP0 's_POS circumstances_NN2 as_PRP the_AT0 Chinese_AJ0 themselves_PNX do_VDB ,_PUN through_PRP their_DPS eyes_NN2 ._SENT 
To_TO0 refresh_VVI your_DPS memory_NN1 ,_PUN this_DT0 chart_NN1 shows_VVZ the_AT0 relative_AJ0 standing_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 world_NN1 's_POS leading_AJ0 countries_NN2 as_CJS measured_VVN in_PRP indices_NN2 that_CJT measure_VVB eight_CRD different_AJ0 types_NN2 of_PRF power_NN1 ._SENT In_PRP examining_VVG the_AT0 rises_NN2 and_CJC declines_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 great_AJ0 empires_NN2 since_PRP 1500_CRD ,_PUN I_PNP looked_VVD at_PRP each_DT0 of_PRF these_DT0 measures_NN2 ._SENT I_PNP will_VM0 now_AV0 do_VDI the_AT0 same_DT0 for_PRP China_NP0 ,_PUN briefly_AV0 conveying_VVG the_AT0 long_AJ0 arc_NN1 of_PRF its_DPS history_NN1 while_CJS diving_VVG into_PRP its_DPS highlights_NN2 in_PRP a_AT0 more_AV0 granular_AJ0 way_NN1 ._SENT 
Breaking_VVG this_DT0 rise_NN1 down_AVP further_AV0 ,_PUN the_AT0 following_AJ0 chart_NN1 shows_VVZ the_AT0 eight_CRD measures_NN2 of_PRF power_NN1 for_PRP China_NP0 between_PRP 1800_CRD and_CJC the_AT0 present_NN1 ._SENT 
Unlike_PRP the_AT0 cycles_NN2 for_PRP the_AT0 Dutch_AJ0 ,_PUN British_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC American_AJ0 empires_NN2 ,_PUN which_DTQ began_VVD with_PRP their_DPS rises_NN2 and_CJC were_VBD followed_VVN by_PRP their_DPS protracted_AJ0 declines_NN2 ,_PUN China_NP0 's_POS cycle_NN1 over_PRP the_AT0 past_AJ0 200_CRD years_NN2 was_VBD a_AT0 long_AJ0 decline_NN1 followed_VVN by_PRP a_AT0 rapid_AJ0 rise_NN1 ._SENT Though_CJS the_AT0 order_NN1 is_VBZ reversed_VVN ,_PUN the_AT0 same_DT0 forces_NN2 drove_VVD the_AT0 cycle_NN1 ._SENT Seven_CRD of_PRF the_AT0 eight_CRD powers_NN2 hit_VVD their_DPS lowest_AJS points_NN2 in_PRP the_AT0 1940_CRD –_PUN 50_CRD period_NN1 ._SENT Since_CJS then_AV0 ,_PUN most_DT0 of_PRF them_PNP —_PUN notably_AV0 ,_PUN economic_AJ0 competitiveness_NN1 ,_PUN education_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC military_AJ0 power_NN1 —_PUN improved_VVN gradually_AV0 until_CJS around_PRP 1980_CRD ,_PUN when_AVQ China_NP0 's_POS economic_AJ0 competitiveness_NN1 and_CJC trade_NN1 took_VVD off_AVP ._SENT That_DT0 was_VBD right_AJ0 after_PRP Deng_NP0 Xiaoping_NP0 's_POS open-door_NN1 and_CJC reform_NN1 policies_NN2 began_VVD ._SENT That_DT0 is_VBZ no_AT0 coincidence_NN1 ._SENT From_PRP my_DPS first_ORD visit_NN1 to_PRP China_NP0 in_PRP 1984_CRD until_CJS about_PRP 2008_CRD ,_PUN debt_NN1 growth_NN1 was_VBD in_PRP line_NN1 with_PRP economic_AJ0 growth_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ was_VBD very_AV0 strong_AJ0 ._SENT In_PRP other_AJ0 words_NN2 ,_PUN extremely_AV0 rapid_AJ0 improvements_NN2 were_VBD made_VVN without_PRP loading_VVG the_AT0 economy_NN1 up_AVP with_PRP debt_NN1 ._SENT Then_AV0 the_AT0 2008_CRD financial_AJ0 crisis_NN1 came_VVD along_AVP and_CJC China_NP0 ,_PUN like_PRP the_AT0 rest_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 world_NN1 ,_PUN used_VVD a_AT0 lot_NN1 of_PRF debt_NN1 to_TO0 stimulate_VVI its_DPS economy_NN1 ,_PUN so_CJS debts_NN2 rose_VVD relative_AJ0 to_PRP incomes_NN2 ._SENT When_CJS Xi_NN1 Jinping_NP0 came_VVD to_PRP power_NN1 in_PRP 2012_CRD ,_PUN he_PNP improved_VVD China_NP0 's_POS debt_NN1 and_CJC economic_AJ0 management_NN1 dramatically_AV0 ,_PUN continued_VVD growth_NN1 in_PRP innovation_NN1 and_CJC technologies_NN2 ,_PUN strengthened_AJ0 education_NN1 and_CJC the_AT0 military_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC encountered_VVD greater_AJC conflict_NN1 with_PRP the_AT0 US_NP0 ._SENT China_NP0 is_VBZ now_AV0 roughly_AV0 tied_VVN with_PRP the_AT0 US_NP0 in_PRP being_VBG the_AT0 leading_AJ0 power_NN1 in_PRP trade_NN1 ,_PUN economic_AJ0 output_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC innovation_NN1 and_CJC technology_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC it_PNP is_VBZ a_AT0 strong_AJ0 and_CJC quickly_AV0 rising_VVG military_AJ0 and_CJC educational_AJ0 power_NN1 ._SENT It_PNP is_VBZ an_AT0 emerging_AJ0 power_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 financial_AJ0 sector_NN1 but_CJC is_VBZ lagging_VVG as_PRP a_AT0 reserve_AJ0 currency_NN1 and_CJC financial_AJ0 center_NN1 ._SENT We_PNP will_VM0 explore_VVI all_DT0 of_PRF this_DT0 in_PRP more_DT0 detail_NN1 later_AV0 in_PRP the_AT0 chapter_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC in_PRP order_NN1 to_TO0 understand_VVI China_NP0 's_POS present_NN1 we_PNP first_ORD need_VVB to_TO0 wade_VVI into_PRP its_DPS tremendous_AJ0 history_NN1 ._SENT 
CHINA_NP0 'S_POS GIANT_AJ0 HISTORY_NN1 IN_PRP A_AT0 TINY_AJ0 NUTSHELL_NN1 
Anyone_PNI who_PNQ wants_VVZ to_TO0 have_VHI a_AT0 fundamental_AJ0 understanding_NN1 of_PRF China_NP0 needs_VVZ to_TO0 know_VVI the_AT0 basics_NN2 of_PRF its_DPS history_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 many_DT0 patterns_NN2 that_CJT repeat_VVB within_PRP it_PNP ,_PUN and_CJC the_AT0 timeless_AJ0 and_CJC universal_AJ0 principles_NN2 that_CJT its_DPS leaders_NN2 have_VHB gained_VVN from_PRP studying_VVG those_DT0 patterns_NN2 ._SENT Getting_VVG even_AV0 a_AT0 basic_AJ0 understanding_NN1 of_PRF Chinese_AJ0 history_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT0 considerable_AJ0 undertaking_NN1 ._SENT Spanning_VVG some_DT0 4_CRD ,_PUN 000_CRD years_NN2 ,_PUN it_PNP is_VBZ so_AV0 vast_AJ0 and_CJC complicated_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC has_VHZ inspired_VVN so_AV0 many_DT0 different_AJ0 and_CJC sometimes_AV0 contradictory_AJ0 interpretations_NN2 ,_PUN that_CJT I_PNP am_VBB confident_AJ0 that_CJT there_EX0 is_VBZ no_AT0 single_AJ0 source_NN1 of_PRF truth_NN1 —_PUN and_CJC I_PNP am_VBB especially_AV0 confident_AJ0 that_CJT I_PNP 'm_VBB not_XX0 it_PNP ._SENT Still_AV0 ,_PUN there_EX0 is_VBZ a_AT0 lot_NN1 that_CJT knowledgeable_AJ0 people_NN0 agree_VVB on_AVP ,_PUN and_CJC many_DT0 scholars_NN2 and_CJC practitioners_NN2 ,_PUN both_AV0 Chinese_AJ0 and_CJC non-Chinese_AJ0 ,_PUN have_VHB shared_VVN valuable_AJ0 insights_NN2 with_PRP me_PNP ._SENT Trying_VVG to_TO0 piece_VVI together_AV0 all_DT0 that_CJT I_PNP have_VHB learned_VVN has_VHZ not_XX0 only_AV0 been_VBN a_AT0 valuable_AJ0 experience_NN1 for_PRP me_PNP but_CJC also_AV0 a_AT0 fascinating_AJ0 one_PNI ._SENT While_CJS I_PNP ca_VM0 n't_XX0 guarantee_VVI that_CJT my_DPS perspectives_NN2 are_VBB the_AT0 best_AJS ,_PUN I_PNP can_VM0 guarantee_VVI that_CJT they_PNP have_VHB been_VBN well-triangulated_AJ0 with_PRP some_DT0 of_PRF the_AT0 most_AV0 informed_AJ0 people_NN0 in_PRP the_AT0 world_NN1 ._SENT 
China_NP0 's_POS civilization_NN1 began_VVD around_PRP 2000_CRD BCE_NP0 with_PRP the_AT0 Xia_NP0 Dynasty_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ lasted_VVD about_PRP 400_CRD years_NN2 and_CJC is_VBZ credited_VVN with_PRP bringing_VVG the_AT0 Bronze_NN1 Age_NN1 to_PRP Asia_NP0 ._SENT Confucius_NP0 ,_PUN who_PNQ developed_VVD the_AT0 philosophy_NN1 that_CJT most_DT0 influences_NN2 how_AVQ the_AT0 Chinese_AJ0 behave_VVB with_PRP each_DT0 other_AJ0 to_PRP this_DT0 day_NN1 ,_PUN lived_VVN from_PRP 551_CRD to_PRP 479_CRD BCE_NP0 ._SENT The_AT0 Qin_NP0 Dynasty_NN1 united_VVD most_DT0 of_PRF the_AT0 geographic_AJ0 area_NN1 that_CJT we_PNP now_AV0 call_VVB China_NP0 around_PRP 221_CRD BCE_NP0 and_CJC was_VBD followed_VVN by_PRP the_AT0 400-year_AJ0 Han_NP0 Dynasty_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ pioneered_VVD governance_NN1 systems_NN2 that_CJT are_VBB still_AV0 in_PRP use_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 Tang_NN1 Dynasty_NN1 came_VVD to_PRP the_AT0 fore_NN1 in_PRP 618_CRD CE_NP0 ._SENT 
This_DT0 chart_NN1 applies_VVZ to_PRP China_NP0 the_AT0 same_DT0 overall_AJ0 power_NN1 gauge_NN1 that_CJT I_PNP showed_VVD you_PNP in_PRP the_AT0 chart_NN1 of_PRF great_AJ0 empires_NN2 ,_PUN covering_VVG the_AT0 more_DT0 than_CJS 1_CRD ,_PUN 400_CRD years_NN2 between_PRP 600_CRD and_CJC today_AV0 ._SENT With_PRP the_AT0 notable_AJ0 exception_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 period_NN1 from_PRP around_AV0 1840_CRD to_PRP 1950_CRD ,_PUN when_CJS it_PNP experienced_VVD a_AT0 steep_AJ0 decline_NN1 ,_PUN China_NP0 has_VHZ historically_AV0 stood_VVN among_PRP the_AT0 most_AV0 powerful_AJ0 empires_NN2 in_PRP the_AT0 world_NN1 ._SENT As_CJS it_PNP emerged_VVD from_PRP civil_AJ0 war_NN1 ,_PUN it_PNP began_VVD to_TO0 rise_VVI again_AV0 ,_PUN at_PRP first_ORD slowly_AV0 and_CJC then_AV0 very_AV0 rapidly_AV0 ._SENT Today_AV0 it_PNP is_VBZ second_ORD only_AV0 to_PRP the_AT0 US_NP0 and_CJC is_VBZ poised_VVN to_TO0 surpass_VVI it_PNP ._SENT 
Most_DT0 of_PRF the_AT0 dynasties_NN2 that_CJT ruled_VVD China_NP0 over_PRP the_AT0 course_NN1 of_PRF this_DT0 time_NN1 span_NN1 were_VBD as_AV0 cultured_AJ0 as_CJS they_PNP were_VBD powerful_AJ0 ._SENT (_PUL I_PNP only_AV0 name_VVB the_AT0 most_AV0 prominent_AJ0 in_PRP the_AT0 chart_NN1 ;_PUN there_EX0 were_VBD many_DT0 others_NN2 ._SENT )_PUR Each_DT0 of_PRF these_DT0 dynasties_NN2 has_VHZ its_DPS own_DT0 fascinating_AJ0 story_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC to_TO0 do_VDI those_DT0 stories_NN2 justice_NN1 would_VM0 take_VVI far_AV0 more_DT0 space_NN1 than_CJS can_VM0 fit_VVI in_PRP this_DT0 chapter_NN1 ._SENT 
The_AT0 Tang_NN1 Dynasty_NN1 (_PUL 618_CRD –_PUN 907_CRD )_PUR is_VBZ considered_VVN by_PRP many_DT0 Chinese_AJ0 to_TO0 be_VBI a_AT0 high_AJ0 point_NN1 of_PRF Imperial_AJ0 China_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 Tang_NN1 came_VVD to_PRP power_NN1 after_PRP a_AT0 prolonged_AJ0 period_NN1 of_PRF disunion_NN1 and_CJC civil_AJ0 war_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ had_VHD culminated_VVN in_PRP China_NP0 being_VBG reunified_VVN by_PRP the_AT0 short-lived_AJ0 Sui_AJ0 Dynasty_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ immediately_AV0 preceded_VVD the_AT0 Tang_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 dynasty_NN1 was_VBD established_VVN by_PRP a_AT0 father-son_AJ0 pair_NN0 of_PRF strong_AJ0 leaders_NN2 —_PUN with_PRP the_AT0 son_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 Tang_NN1 's_POS second_ORD Emperor_NN1 Taizong_NN1 ,_PUN being_VBG especially_AV0 notable_AJ0 ._SENT They_PNP not_XX0 only_AV0 militarily_AV0 unified_AJ0 China_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC also_AV0 established_VVN a_AT0 stable_AJ0 government_NN1 system_NN1 and_CJC policies_NN2 that_CJT were_VBD highly_AV0 effective_AJ0 ,_PUN producing_VVG quality_NN1 education_NN1 ,_PUN excellent_AJ0 development_NN1 of_PRF technologies_NN2 ,_PUN international_AJ0 trade_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC diverse_AJ0 ideas_NN2 ._SENT Taizong_NP0 was_VBD a_AT0 great_AJ0 revolutionary_AJ0 leader_NN1 who_PNQ was_VBD able_AJ0 to_TO0 consolidate_VVI power_NN1 ,_PUN build_VVB a_AT0 great_AJ0 dynasty_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC transition_NN1 well_AV0 so_AV0 that_CJT the_AT0 dynasty_NN1 remained_VVD strong_AJ0 without_PRP him_PNP ._SENT A_AT0 period_NN1 of_PRF great_AJ0 prosperity_NN1 lasted_VVD about_PRP 150_CRD years_NN2 ,_PUN with_PRP a_AT0 particularly_AV0 strong_AJ0 military_NN1 that_CJT helped_VVD the_AT0 Tang_NN1 control_NN1 valuable_AJ0 trade_NN1 routes_NN2 in_PRP Central_AJ0 Asia_NP0 ._SENT By_PRP the_AT0 late_AJ0 700s_CRD ,_PUN however_AV0 ,_PUN the_AT0 Tang_NN1 slipped_VVD into_PRP decline_NN1 for_PRP the_AT0 classic_AJ0 reasons_NN2 :_PUN the_AT0 quality_NN1 of_PRF governance_NN1 fell_VVD ,_PUN fragmentation_NN1 over_PRP economic_AJ0 and_CJC values_NN2 gaps_NN2 led_VVN to_PRP a_AT0 weakened_AJ0 and_CJC corrupt_AJ0 central_AJ0 government_NN1 (_PUL which_DTQ ,_PUN combined_VVN with_PRP internal_AJ0 conflict_NN1 ,_PUN led_VVN to_PRP a_AT0 series_NN0 of_PRF rebellions_NN2 )_PUR ,_PUN its_DPS finances_NN2 deteriorated_VVD ,_PUN and_CJC natural_AJ0 disasters_NN2 increased_VVN in_PRP impact_NN1 ._SENT 
Then_AV0 came_VVD the_AT0 Northern_AJ0 and_CJC Southern_AJ0 Song_NN1 dynasties_NN2 (_PUL 960_CRD –_PUN 1279_CRD )_PUR ,_PUN during_PRP which_DTQ China_NP0 was_VBD the_AT0 most_AV0 innovative_AJ0 and_CJC dynamic_AJ0 economy_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 world_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 deterioration_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 Tang_NN1 Dynasty_NN1 led_VVD to_PRP its_DPS own_DT0 period_NN1 of_PRF civil_AJ0 war_NN1 and_CJC disunion_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 900s_CRD ._SENT Out_AVP of_PRF this_DT0 conflict_NN1 the_AT0 Song_NN1 Dynasty_NN1 came_VVD to_PRP power_NN1 under_PRP the_AT0 rule_NN1 of_PRF Emperor_NP0 Taizu_NP0 in_PRP 960._CRD 
