Whereas many know about China's economic growth in recent years, the most people have little understanding regarding how the country's historical roots and political structure have contributed to development. Through an analysis of relevant literature, this article examines China's historical roots and political structure as they affect its foreign policy decisions that have contributed to shaping the country's national development. It is suggested that a deeper understanding of this relationship will help Western nations interpret China's current and future policy decisions in order to forecast the potential significance of its global influence over the next decade.