中國經濟方面的崛起已經是個不爭的事實。但「中國是否因此無論在意識 形態、經濟和軍事上均對美國造成威脅」這個議題辯論已久。本文首先從「修 正型」國家及「現狀型」國家這兩個概念來探討，但發現這兩個概念在理論上 仍有模糊之處。不過，以認知和形象作為依據，也就是從心理層面的角度著眼， 即使上述兩個概念的定義不明確，論述者在態度和評論上早就有了自己的答 案。其次，從三個角度探討美國對中國的負面形象：國會、平面媒體及中國威 脅論。接著，討論中國實際參與國際組織的情形。然後，分析中國與亞洲國家 接觸的狀況。最後，本文的結論是，如果中國遵循「和平與發展」原則，繼續 舆美國對話和接觸，那麼也許美國不再將中國視為威脅。

China’s rising in rapid economic growth is an unarguable fact. However, the issue that whether China has become a threat to the US in terms of ideology, economy and military has been debated for a long period of time. This article starts with the definitions of two concepts ( a revisionist state and a status quo state) and finds that they are theoretically vague. Although the meanings of both concepts are uncertain, the analysts and observers will have their own answers from the mechanisms of perceptions and images when they want to identify a country. Secondly, this paper explores the negative images of China in the US from three perspectives: the Congress, the print media and the China threat theory. Thirdly, it discusses China’s participation in the international institutions and organizations. Fourthly, this article analyzes the China's engagement with Asian countries. Finally, this paper concludes that if China follows the principles of “peace and development", continues its dialogue and engagement with the US5 then probably the US will not see China as a threat any more.