The past 40 years have seen rapid development of the Chinese economy, which in turn has contributed to China's emergence as one of the most powerful states in the modern world. In this connection in the article authors give general characteristics of political and economic situation in the Asia-Pacific region, consider current position of the People’s Republic of China in it, and in the world as a whole, define prospects and problems of formation of modern foreign policy priorities of PRC. The authors conduct a comparative and historical analysis of China's changing role in the Asia-Pacific region and in the international system as a whole, as well as changes in the vectors of its foreign policy. The analysis of China's foreign policy priorities examines China's key steps in its political and military cooperation with Asia-Pacific countries. It highlights the main prerequisites for establishing China's hegemony in the Asia-Pacific region and in the world at large, analyzes its economic, cultural, military and technological performance, as well as the main tools on this path, in particular soft power tools. The paper also considers the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on China's position on the world stage.

The past 40 years have seen rapid development of the Chinese economy, which in turn has contributed to China's emergence as one of the most powerful states in the modern world. In this connection in the article authors give general characteristics of political and economic situation in the Asia-Pacific region, consider current position of the People’s Republic of China in it, and in the world as a whole, define prospects and problems of formation of modern foreign policy priorities of PRC. The authors conduct a comparative and historical analysis of China's changing role in the Asia-Pacific region and in the international system as a whole, as well as changes in the vectors of its foreign policy. The analysis of China's foreign policy priorities examines China's key steps in its political and military cooperation with Asia-Pacific countries. It highlights the main prerequisites for establishing China's hegemony in the Asia-Pacific region and in the world at large, analyzes its economic, cultural, military and technological performance, as well as the main tools on this path, in particular soft power tools. The paper also considers the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on China's position on the world stage.