Mary Hennock wrote this analysis on BBC News:
For years, specialist China-watchers have been predicting that the wider world would one day wake up to the country’s global economic influence and superpower potential.
2004 was the year when it happened.
The world focused on China’s new-found economic strength as never before.
Its thirst for oil, outpouring of cheap exports and status as the world’s most energetic economy – with growth topping 9% – all grabbed attention.
China has moved into the mainstream this year, no longer seen as a remote place, but the next big thing.
