Eight ways China is changing your world

14 October 2012 Last updated at 21:38 ET

By Angus Foster BBC News, Beijing

Here are eight reasons - eight being an auspicious number in China - why the world should pay attention to what happens in the secretive corridors of Beijing's Great Hall of the People.

As China's ruling communist party meets from 8 November to rubber-stamp sweeping leadership changes, the BBC's Angus Foster explains why the country's influence now reaches so many aspects of our lives.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19797989

COMMENT: The principle national power in contention for leadership in the world. The more we know about our competition, the better we can plan to cope, adapt, react or respond to it.