Chinese Perceptions of the U.S.
An Exploration of China's Foreign Policy Motivations
By (author) Biwu Zhang Foreword by Richard Herrmann
Publication date:
17 November 2011Length of book:
282 pagesPublisher
Lexington BooksDimensions:
238x164mm6x9"
ISBN-13: 9780739170854
"China threat" has been one of hotly debated topics since the early 1990s, and this book is an effort to test the China threat thesis. The author argues that a test of the China threat thesis requires addressing two fundamental questions: whether China has the capabilities to challenge the international system and whether China has the motivations to do so. This book will offer a systematic study of China's foreign policy motivations by resorting to an image approach. The conclusion as to whether China is a status quo or a revisionist country will be reached by exploring how consideration of national interests and how China's perceptions of key characters of the U.S. affect China's foreign policy orientation. A summary of the dominant Chinese images of the U.S. will also contribute to understanding China's motivations vis-a-vis the U.S.
This informative, insightful volume by Zhang (Xiamen Univ., China) seeks to probe US-China relations by reviewing Chinese perceptions of the US. The book contains eight chapters, in addition to a foreword by Richard K. Herrmann. Chapter 1 addresses the question of whether China is a status quo or a revisionist country. Chapter 2 discusses the image approach as a useful way of exploring a country's foreign policy motivation. Chapters 3 and 4 deal with China's perceptions of threats and opportunities arising from the US. Chapter 5 explores the Chinese perceptions of US power in various areas. Chapter 6 explains how a study of Chinese perceptions of the US economy is important for understanding China's foreign policy orientation toward the US. Chapter 7 examines Chinese perceptions of US politics. The concluding chapter addresses the question of the extent to which China is a threat to the US. The author believes that there is "a great opportunity for mutual benefits if [China and the US] can manage to cooperate with rather than confront each other. It is rational to define the bilateral relationship as one of partnership." Summing Up: Highly recommended. General readers through research faculty.