Despite its increasingly secure place in the world, the People's Republic of China remains dissatisfied with its global status. Its growing material power has simultaneously led to both greater influence and unsettling questions about its international intentions. China also has found itself in a constant struggle to balance its aspirations abroad with a daunting domestic agenda. This authoritative book provides a unique exploration of the complex and dynamic motivations behind Beijing's foreign policy. The authors focus on China's choices and calculations on issues such as the ruling Communist party-regime's interests, international status and image, nationalism, Taiwan, human rights, globalization, U.S. hegemony, international institutions, and the war on terrorism. Taken together, the chapters offer a comprehensive diagnosis of the emerging paradigms in Chinese foreign policy, illuminating especially China's struggle to engineer and manage its rise in light of the opportunities and perils inherent in the post-cold war and post-9/11 world.

China has been undergoing enormous changes in the past decade. This book provides an excellent overview of the transformation of the Chinese state and society, giving a detailed and nuanced picture of the fascinating and complex country as it begins the 21st century. Subjects covered include: The prospects for democracy Relationship between state and society Popular culture Religion Nationalism Ethnic Minorities Young People Protest and resistance The Role of the Communist Party The future viability of the People's Republic Broad in sweep and rich in empirical detail, this is an excellent account of contemporary China. With contributions from leading experts in the field, it will appeal to students of East Asian and Chinese history, politics and society.

China has been undergoing enormous changes in the past decade. This book provides an excellent overview of the transformation of the Chinese state and society, giving a detailed and nuanced picture of the fascinating and complex country as it begins the 21st century. Subjects covered include: The prospects for democracy Relationship between state and society Popular culture Religion Nationalism Ethnic Minorities Young People Protest and resistance The Role of the Communist Party The future viability of the People's Republic Broad in sweep and rich in empirical detail, this is an excellent account of contemporary China. With contributions from leading experts in the field, it will appeal to students of East Asian and Chinese history, politics and society.

"This book admirably fills a glaring gap in our understanding of how to think intelligently about China. Grounding his insights in an extensive survey of recent American and Chinese portrayals of the other country, the author demonstrates convincingly how even specialists can feed the 'fears and fantasies' that shape and distort our respective perceptions and reinforce the stereotypes that complicate the formulation of sound policy. Remarkably, the lessons are as valuable for Chinese readers as for American, for the general public as for the foreign policy expert."--J. Stapleton Roy, former U.S. ambassador to the People's Republic of China"At the heart of the volatile Sino-American relationship is the interaction of perceptions, identities, and mass nationalism. Exploring multiple media, Peter Gries captures the caricatures, stereotypes, and mutual portrayals that demonize the 'other.' This book uncovers troubling implications about the 'inner structure' of U.S.-China relations and should be read by scholars, analysts, and policymakers alike."--David Shambaugh, George Washington University & The Brookings Institution, author of "Modernizing China's Military "Gries, in full command of the Chinese media, has given us a lively and lucid interdisciplinary study of Chinese self-perception, bringing forward images of the US that have mostly worked to complicate communications in Sino-American relations. An excellent contribution to Chinese foreign-relations studies."--Allen Whiting, University of Arizona, author of "The Chinese Calculus of Deterrence"Provides an indispensable psychological dimension to the analysis of China's relations with America-especially important today when demonizingthe other side has become commonplace on both sides of the Pacific Ocean."--Peter Van Ness, editor of "Debating Human Rights: Critical Essays from the United States and Asia