本篇論文是從中共改革開放的戰略佈局，探討其在後冷戰時期如何因應外在環境的變化？以及如何因應國力提升，其他國家疑慮與可能的反制？論文基本認為改革開放以來，中共對外政策有其一貫性，就是外交必須顧及經濟建設的大局。維持和平與穩定的周邊環境，乃是中共外交的基本方針。縱然國際情勢不斷變化，北京對外策略亦有調整，惟基本方針從未改變。因此，後冷戰時期，中共外交傾向於維持現狀穩定，以爭取時間，發展國力。只要這項政策不變，短期間不會急劇對外擴張，對周邊國家威脅性亦低。 論文另一重點，在探討臺灣問題與中共改革開放之關係，論及中共處理臺灣問題，始終徘徊在民族主義與經濟優先的兩難之間。文中也分析中共外交的美國因素，以及九一一恐怖攻擊後，北京與華府關係的變化。

　　　　　The purpose of the paper is to examine how Chinese foreign behavior has been affected by Deng's idea of modernization. In Deng's view, if China wants to develop its backward economy, it urgently needs to maintain peaceful and stable relations with major powers and its neighboring countries. Over the past quarter century, Beijing has consistently followed Deng's idea of modernization, thereby de-escalated tension with its neighbors such as former Soviet Union, Vietnam, or India. More importantly, China established diplomatic relations with the United States in 1979. In other words, the purpose of Chinese diplomacy under the rubric of modernization is not to expand influence abroad but to create an environment conducive to domestic economic development. With dramatic changes in international system after the collapse of the Soviet bloc, Beijing seems not to change the way of its foreign policy. It continues to put much attention to its relations with major powers and its neighbors with a hope that the peaceful and stable situations surrounding China could be maintained without any disturbance. However, with the rise of Chinese power and its economy entwined with global economy, Beijing gradually finds it more difficult to deal with the changes in international society. The paper also focuses on Beijing's relations with Taiwan in recent years and with the United States after 9/11 incident.