Summary

Since the end of the Cold War, developing a better framework to correctly recognize which direction globalization and the transition will take us has been necessary. The transition economies of China and Central Europe, in particular, hold significant implications for East Asian integration and EU enlargement, respectively. This book examines the processes of transition, regional development and globalization, focusing on China and Central Europe, and seeks to identify a new and stable international framework with improved outcomes for all. Divided into three parts, the book first analyzes several key economic issues concerning transition in China and Central Europe; it then examines these issues from the viewpoint of international relations; finally, it considers potential future directions for China, Japan, US and EU. It therefore constitutes an important contribution to our understanding of the ongoing process of globalization and ways to improve Sino-Japanese-EU-American-Central European economic relations.