By sea and on the airwaves, by dollar and yuan, a contest has begun that will shape the next century. China's rise has entered a critical phase, one that represents a new and formidable challenge to the West. Having spent the last three decades focused solely on growing its economy, China now aims to translate its considerable economic heft into political and military influence around the globe. With its new navy, China is trying to ease the US out of Asia and re-assert its traditional leadership in the region. Beijing is planning to make the renminbi the principal international currency, toppling the American dollar. And by investing billions to export its media companies overseas, it hopes to control the global debate about democracy, intervention and human rights