The rise of China: a race up or down and the impact on global actorsIntroductionChina's open period of reform is characterized as a period without a plan but "groping for stones to cross the river", based on a gradual and incremental approach to reform. China is still a developing country, with pockets of industrialized regions. As China enjoys the fruits of its labor, there is a growing disparity between urban and rural areas due to this development imbalance. China's presence on the global stage has grown dramatically and has left many researchers perplexed about the consequences of its rise. There is a plethora of studies that question whether China's current path is one to the top, or whether China is on the brink of its development with imminent decline in the near future, in the grip of institutional reforms weak. Although there are many features that characterize China's direction, this article will primarily analyze wages and regional disparities in China and their impact on the world. The effects of wage increases in China China's cheap labor force has been an important economic advantage since the opening of its market. However, according to data released by the government, average annual real wages tripled between 1997 and 2007, from 3,285 to 24,932 yuan. The Institute of Population and Labor Economics of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) reported that the rural surplus labor force is declining to such a level that further industrialization cannot be supported at a lower cost (Cai, 2007). Additionally, there is growing evidence that China is losing its attractiveness as a manufacturing base for exports (Yang, Chen, Monarch, 2010). US foreign direct investment (FDI) in China is far from reaching its level. Conclusion The explanation for China's rise is generally polarized between deep optimism and an impending apocalyptic story for the country. global economy. Research suggests that China's rise embodies both the characteristics of a race to the top and to the bottom. Moreover, as this paper examines, its integration has varying effects depending on the region. However, both scenarios depend not only on China, but also on how countries like the United States adapt. Aborting the transition out of fear by introducing trade barriers will not be economically beneficial in the long term due to an already interdependent relationship between China and the world. The Chinese transition is a journey dependent on the path taking place in the present. Therefore, an analysis of China's rise is speculative at best, but serves as a mirror to Chinese-style capitalism...