China's global presence is indisputable, yet for most of the Cold War, China shied away from an international role. However, as China's economic profile has risen, so too has its interest in engaging with regions further afield.
The demise of the North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il on December 17, 2011 has introduced a new dimension to the security situation in Northeast Asia. The future of East Asian security would largely be shaped by developments that unfold in the Korean peninsula.
