China’s Search for Security

by Andrew J. Nathan, Andrew Scobell

In June 1997 China will retake control of Hong Kong from Great Britain, an event certain to generate tension over a free press, a representative legislature, and other democratic institutions now in place. In this insightful, authoritative analysis, the authors examine Chinese foreign policy, from Mao to the present, as a search for security with motives similar to those of other states. Maps.

Genres: China, Politics, History, Nonfiction, Asia, Political Science, International Relations

432 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1997

About the author

Andrew J. Nathan is Class of 1919 Professor of Political Science at Columbia University. His teaching and research interests include Chinese politics and foreign policy, the comparative study of political participation and political culture, and human rights. He is engaged in long-term research and writing on Chinese foreign policy and on sources of political legitimacy in Asia, the latter research based on data from the Asian Barometer Survey, a multi-national collaborative survey research project active in eighteen countries in Asia.

Born on April 3, 1943, in New York City, Professor Nathan received his degrees from Harvard University: the B.A. in History, summa cum laude, in 1963; the M.A. in East Asian Regional Studies in 1965; and the Ph.D. in Political Science in 1971. He taught at the University of Michigan in 1970-71 and has been at Columbia University since 1971.

Reviews

[Mizuki]

Andrew J. Nathan offers us an in-depth analysis on the issues of the Chinese mainland government and the so-called 'national security' problem: so many bad things, e.g. the violation of human's rights, the jailing and bullying of the dissidents, the discrimination against ethnic minor groups, the suppression of mass media, information and civil society, etc; have been done in the name of 'protecting national security'...but now the author asks the questions of what exactly is China's national security problems? How these problems were formed by events in recent history? Who have been handling these problems since the year 1949? What has caused these problems?

Here are a few most noticeable 'national security' faced by China and its government:

(1) Unlike America with only two or three neighbor countries, China is a country surrounded by many neighbor countries (with big shots like Russia, Japan, India, etc)--and not many of these countries are in friendly term with China.

(2) Being surrounded by so many neighbor countries, China's relationships with them are.......to say the least, complicated and delicate.

(3) The richest parts of China, namely the Eastern-Southern regions, are difficult to defend--we even have the Second Sino-Japan War as a fine example to remind us how quickly the said regions can fall into enemy's hands.

(4) Many, many people within China (namely Tibet, Xinjiang, Hong Kong etc) are not happy with the ruling government and its policies. (and whose fault is it that people aren't happy with the political and social situations in those regions?)

(5) The issue of Taiwan, its democracy and its independence movement. (and whose fault is it that most Taiwanese wouldn't accept the ruling of CCP?)

I'm impressed by how through the author's research had been done and I found his insight to be mostly sound, and he guides us to go through the complicated issues of 'Chinese's national security' with a more sympathetic viewpoint (without overlooking the awful things the CCP has done in the name of national security, though), and the author also admits parts of this Chinese's national security problem is very much real (it's not a surprise since China hasn't had good relationship with most of its neighbors, for a long time).

If you had an interest in the political matters in the Far East and the history and political development of China, do read this book.

PS: if you asked me, I would say for the betterment and survival of China and the Chinese culture, it would be ideal for an United States of China to be established, so people from different regions of China can govern themselves and everyone would respect everyone else's culture, customs and ways of life. But it is only a dream.

[Eddie Choo]

An excellent balanced account

This account of China’s geopolitical interests and developments should be a must-read of geopolitical observers regarding what China’s strategic interests are and what future directions for US-China interests could take.

[Joseph]

Although the book is somewhat dated, I still enjoyed it immensely. The author makes the argument that China must adapt its policies to survive in the coming decades. From human rights to copyright issues, the author details the struggles China is facing going into the 21st century. One thing about this book that kind of bothered me was that the printing quality was so-so. The text was still readable, but several pages had letters missing. Other than that it was a great book.

[Xiuyuan]

Informative, fascinating, unbiased.

[Julie]

a thorough book on China's security environment.

[Leo Law]

A comprehensive and coherent survey of China's foreign affairs policy from the geostrategic perspective. A must-read for those who want to understand China from a Western's point of view.

[Brian Kirk]

The content of this book, while dated still has some relevency in todays world. China is one of the emerging countries in the world. I found the information helpful in understanding China's perspective and views. I would be interested in seeing an update version of the book by the authors. This book took place before Hong Kong and Macau were both re-unified with the mainland. It also touched on the Taiwan situation and history.

[Jack]

a fairly well done overview of china's relations with neighbors, allies, and enemies. no groudbreaking thesis here, but does give a solid description of the motivations behind china's diplomacy and foreign engagement. ends with what is essentially an advocacy for the status quo in most of the contentious issues at hand.

[Ryan]

this book is amazing when read as a story, which is really what it is. unfortunately, most people who encounter this book, read it in a scientific environment. that kind of tainted my enjoyment of it.

[Pieter]

Concise but rather complete history of China's foreign policy and its current challenges. The book covers both the relationship with its neighbouring countries (Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand,...) as with global players like Russia, USA and Japan.

[Barry Lando]

If you want a handle on what it's all about--read this!

[Nate Huston]

Defensive realist interpretation of China. A bit soft...are they on the Chinese payroll? Overall, though, a great example of application to the real world.

[Omar]

Should be required intro reading for students of Chinese foreign policy.

[Ashwath]

A very decent book on China's existing order.