CONTENTS

THE fact that US intelligence reports had more or less prepared the world for it or that it in no way alters the strategic balance between China and the Super Powers has not diminished the worldwide awe with which China's entry into the space club has been received. This reminder of China's progress towards full-fledged nuclear power status has come at a significant juncture. Chou En-lai's recent visit to North Korea has been taken to mean that China is emerging from a period of relative diplomatic inactivity supposedly enforced on it by the Cultural Revolution. Also, it is becoming clear that some generally accepted assumptions about the trend of developments in South-East Asia are in need of reconsideration.