二十世紀中國外交史中，貫穿清末、北京、國民政府到中華人民共和國的主題之一，就是「大國地位」的追尋。從十九世紀末的所謂「三等國」，努力恢復傳統光榮的地位，到二十一世紀初，中國的突國地位已舉漸成為事實。 追求大國地位，固然有國家體面及傳統天朝觀念遺留的影響，但也有現實的考。由二十世紀前期中國參與保和會、國聯及聯合國的表現看，主要是擔心小國命運由大國決定，害怕日本被以認為東亞大國，形成所謂東亞門羅主義，故竭力爭取大國地位，拉攏西方強國，與日本抗衡。主要訴求是中國地大、人多、文化悠久、資源豐富。主要策略是倡「分洲主義」，拉攏小國，以亞洲代表自居；並自願承擔一等會費，以加強發言權。 兩次世界大戰，及隨之而來的世界政治秩序重組，對中國國際地位提昇都大有助益。中國藉由參加歐戰，成為國聯創始會員國；第二次世界大戰，使中國成為聯合國安理會常任會員國。但是因為國內政治動盪，內戰不斷；加以國力薄弱，不足以支撐國際義務；以及太過依賴美國及理想主義，兩次大戰之後取得的較佳地位並不能持久。 值得注意的是，由於中國在二十世紀長期介於「大國」、「小國」之間特殊的歷史經驗，逐漸發展出做為小國代表的大國地位；聯絡小國的傳統與中華人民共和國走第三世界道路，應有相當的關聯性。

One of the main themes of diplomatic history of 20th century China is her consistent bidding for the Great Power Status, carried through by successive regimes from Ch’ing, Peiyang, Naitnalist to Communist. In the beginning of that century china was place as a so-called ‘third-rank nation’, in the ends She is well among the Great Powers in the international society. China’s bidding for the Great Power Status in the major international organizations, namely the Hague Peace Conferences, League of Nations and United Nations, derived form both her traditional ‘Middle Kingdom’ pride and some realistic considerations. To offset Japan’s ‘Far Eastern Monroeism’ was on the top of them, for the fearing that the destiny of ‘small states’ were disposed by the ‘Great Powers’. Therefore, China constantly requests for a seat in the Council, by reasons of her vastness both in territory and population, brilliant civilization, enormous natural resources and her asserted representation for Asia. To strengthen her standing, China always voluntarily shared the same amount of expenses that was allocated to the Great Powers. Both tow world Wars, and the following reshape of world order, helped greatly to the upgrading of China’s international status. China’s participation in the European War rewarded her been one of the founding members of League of Nations. Her contributions to WWII granted her Great Power Status as one of the permanent members in the Security council of United Nations. But her position handicapped by civil wars, internal weakness and her heavy dependence on American’s goodwill. A remarkable legacy of China’s long peculiar experiences swung between ‘Great Power’ and ‘Small State’ in the 20th century is her representation for the third world later on.