Power Shifts in East Asia and Their Implications for Asia–Europe Relations

East Asia has attracted great interest not only due to its economic, demographic and cultural potential, but also thanks to its rapidly rising international position. While in the past it was Japan that could be considered as a forerunner of economic and societal changes on the Asian continent, at present it is China that holds a dominant position in terms of economic, political and military power. China’s rapid rise has led both to increase in tensions in East Asia and to intensification of the efforts to institutionalize multi­lateral dialogue in the region. This edited volume aims to analyze the changes in distribution of power in East Asia at the beginning of the 21st century as well as their implications for the development of relations between Asian and European countries. The multi-dimensional analysis of political, economic, and societal shifts in East Asia will contribute to better understanding of the complex factors influencing Asia-Europe relations.