But upon embracing Westernisation and becoming a civilized nation, it is basically guaranteed that China will become a great power in its own right. Initially its only real claim to being a significant regional player is its large territory and numerically powerful army. The former centre of Asian civilisation is even lagging behind Japan in development. China under the Qing Dynasty in 1836 is in a technologically backward state, but it is boasting an enormous population and abundant wealth.
