http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89196830
In a seven-part series, NPR examines China’s growing influence around the world. In Part One, Anthony Kuhn reports from Beijing on how China is learning to use its newfound diplomatic muscle, and how its increasing involvement in the world economy and international institutions is changing its view of its role on the international stage.
In Part Two, Julie McCarthy examines how commodities such as copper and soy are binding China closer to Latin America.
Part Three looks at China’s efforts to win the world’s hearts and minds through the soft power of culture and language.
Michael Sullivan reports on China’s influence in its own backyard — Southeast Asia — in Part Four, and Peter Kenyon examines how China’s rise as an oil importer is affecting the Middle East in Part Five.
In Russia, Gregory Feifer examines the role reversal the former superpower has had with its neighbor to the south in Part Six. The series concludes with Mike Shuster’s look at China’s growing military influence in Part Seven.