Following the end of the Cold War and the political fall-out from Tiananmen, the US and China ended the last century and began the new one with three well publicized crises: the Taiwan Straits Crisis, the bombing of a Chinese embassy, and the Spy Plane Incident. In each of these incidents the two states resorted to confrontation and animosity before shifting towards a peaceful resolution. How did these transformations become possible? How did this relationship plunge towards confrontation over three apparent accidents? What factors were shaping these events and each actor's behavior? This book offers a novel and innovative approach to studying this relationship, and inter-state relations more generally. It argues for the need to pay attention to interests outside of the traditional confines of hard power, and recognize the influential role played by language, identity and emotions in constructing interests based upon the need for recognition, respect and dignity.

Examining twenty-first century relations between the US and China, Shepperd investigates three well publicised crises between these states, highlighting how social interests relating to identity and emotional needs were key dynamics driving these interactions and their transformation.