This book is one of the first wide-ranging surveys of China’s foreign policy and practice from the 16th century to the present day from a Chinese perspective. A modern history of China’s interaction with major powers, it throws new light on the events and issues of major interest, clarifies possible points of ambiguity and misunderstanding, and brings the reader up to date about some of the current issues of contention in China’s international relations.
China’ Foreign Policy and Practice:
•Presents a unique account of Chinese statecraft and foreign policy from the vantage point of an insider who has spent years participating in the decisionmaking process at the national level;
•Paints a larger picture of China’s interaction with the world, connecting wars, negotiations, treaties, and boundary settlements with its neighbours;
•Focuses on policy evolution in specific areas, such as trade, regional diplomacy, dispute settlement, crisis management, and engagement with major powers;
•Draws on Chinese records and publications that may not be readily accessible, as well as the latest memoirs and declassified documents;
•Is a nuanced, comprehensive and accessible guide for students of international politics as well as general readers interested in China.
A unique history of China in world affairs, this book will be essential reading for students of politics and international relations, history, foreign policy, diplomacy, China studies, and Asian studies.
Introduction
1 Centrality of China and Foreign Contacts
2 Barbarians at the Gate
3 Opening Pandora’s Box
4 Japan’s China Wars
5 The Turn of the Century
6 The War of Resistance Against Japan
7 A New Power Under Test
8 Security Priorities
9 Boundary Settlements
10 Ups and Downs with the Superpowers
11 Refocusing on Asia
12 Africa and the Middle East
13 Trade Negotiations
14 Regional Diplomacy
15 Statecraft and Crisis Management
Conclusion: China’s Place in the World
Bibliography
Biography
Wenguang Shao’s international career has spanned academia, government, and business. In the 1980s, he taught in Beijing as a university lecturer and worked in New York as a simultaneous interpreter with the U.N. He was a senior diplomat in China’s foreign service in the 1990s before he moved into television media in Hong Kong and Britain, doubling as a consulting senior fellow at I.I.S.S. (2015–2017). He holds an M.A. degree from the Fletcher School and a D.Phil. from the University of Oxford. He does consultancy work in his retirement and divides his time between London, Beijing, and Hong Kong.
