With rapid increase of China's overseas investment and trade, China's global economic clout is increasing by the day. Does China's global economic reach make it an empire in the 21st century? How will China coexist with the US, which has arguably been an empire since the end of World War II ? This book will interest readers who wish to understand the impact of China on their countries and on the world stage.China is already the world's biggest trading nation and its trade with the rest of the world continues to grow strongly. China's investment in the rest of the world is also growing rapidly. Chinese investment projects can be seen around the world, from railways in Africa and dams in Latin America to the acquisition of landmark buildings in London and New York. What sort of impact will China's overseas trade and investment have on the world?With such strong growth in overseas investment and trade, does China become a de facto empire in the 21st century? However, the Chinese government and many Chinese people say China is not an empire and China has no interest in conquering other territories. The US government and many Americans also deny their country is an empire, although the USA status as the leading superpower arguably makes itself an empire in all but name. How will the incumbent empire, the US, get along with the new and emerging empire, China, in the 21st century? The book also analyses the Sino–US relations in the new era.