We also have to take to overstate the importance of China of the West). In military terms, although the official Chinese figures might under- true extent of financing, the US spends more on the military than the next combination. Chinese investments in Africa and Latin America have indeed risen quickly, but Europe, the US and Japan remain key partners as well. If financial power that some suggest it already has, not have sold arms to Taiwan in January 2010, and President Obama would not have met the Dalai Lama the following month. China might be in a much stronger defend itself than at any other time for at least a couple of centuries, but this does not yet mean that China can force others simply to fall in line with Beijing's interests. Furthermore, it is unclear how China plans to operationalise its desire to introduce a more democratic giobal order, for example to change the structure of the Brer on Woods institutions. It also remains to be scen whether China's image in the developing world will be reassessed as Chinese actors expand their actual contacts with developing countries and whether the Chinese self-image of being a very different type international actor can be sustained. An assertive and confident China is also increasingly likely to alarm others no matter how much time and effort China's leaders expend on trying to convince scepti about their country's benign intent and penchant for peace and harmony. 2010 The Author Politice e 2010 Pelitical Sudies Association