ENGDespite China's growing importance on the world stage, the nation remains often and easily misunderstood. The book traces the changes occurring in this powerful and ancient nation across time and space to provide a better understanding of present conditions. Beginning with China's diverse landscapes and environments, continuing through its formative history and tumultuous past, the authors show contemporary China as a product of both internal and external forces over time. The authors consider historical and current successes and difficulties, including economic, political, cultural, and environmental challenges, while placing China in its international context as a vital regional and global power.RUS , . , . , , , 1,4 , .