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China's Vision of Victory
Someday we may say that we never saw it coming. After seventy-five years of peace in the Pacific, a new challenger to American power has emerged, on a scale not seen in generations. Working from a deep sense of national destiny, the Chinese Communist Party is guiding a country of 1.4 billion people towards what it calls "the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," and, with it, the end of an American-led world. Will this generation witness the final act for America as a superpower? Can American ingenuity, confidence, and will power outcompete the long-term strategic thinking and planning of China's Communist Party? These are the challenges that will shape the next decade and more. China's Vision of Victory brings the reader to a new understanding of China's planning, strategy, and ambitions. From seabed to space, from Africa to the Arctic, from subsurface warfare to the rise of China's global corporations, this book will illuminate for the reader the new great game of our lifetimes, and how our adversary sees it all.
314 pages, Paperback
Published March 31, 2019
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463 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 4, 2024
the rise of china
If you are a China watcher this is a good packaging on the issues and trends if not dated. If you are new to the topic it is a good introduction, although a little alarmist. “This book— China’s Vision of Victory—is in many ways a book about how bad things are becoming, and how much worse they might become.”
If you are a China watcher this is a good packaging on the issues and trends if not dated. If you are new to the topic it is a good introduction, although a little alarmist. “This book— China’s Vision of Victory—is in many ways a book about how bad things are becoming, and how much worse they might become.”
July 7, 2020
A compelling overview of China’s goals for the future. It requires a little bit of background knowledge, as it’s too brief to go extremely in depth, but it is important. This will be the largest international issue of the next several decades, and understanding China and its motivations is essential. As a fan of democracy and freedom, it’s got me concerned.
August 29, 2019
Amidst the confusing flurry of media headlines, Jonathan D.T. Ward’s China’s Vision of Victory presents a sobering, incisive, and clearly argued distillation of Chinese grand strategy and its implications for international order. Ward offers nothing short of a lightning bolt to the American (and by extension western, allied) policy community with a wake-up call regarding Chinese intentions to redraw the map with Beijing at the center of the global order.
Ward argues that existing US policy toward China, which he refers to as “engage but hedge,” has definitively failed to curb Beijing’s appetite for destruction and, worse, abetted China’s militaristic rise, leading us to “the end of an American-led order.” (p. xvii) We are at the brink, and Ward insists there is still time to correct course to prevent the demise of the existing order and its replacement by an authoritarian Sino-centric one.
If readers are skeptical of Ward’s grim predictions, they may be persuaded by the rigor of his analysis. Ward’s research comprises years of conversations living and working in China, as well as extensive engagement with Communist Party archival documents. What he found, and what he urgently portrays to readers, is not a “secret” strategy. Indeed, as Ward makes clear, the Chinese have consistently laid out a vision for China’s resurgence from the founding of the Communist Party and Mao Zedong’s revolutionary era to the rule of Xi Jinping.
Yet the world has turned a blind eye to the implications of China’s rise, the book argues. “Despite new actions on trade and commerce in 2018, US understanding of China’s ascendancy remains chaotic and contradictory,” Ward writes. “The US lacks…the strategic focus of a rising nation like China. Thus, the Chinese Communist Party is able to work around the edges of American power, building its own global presence.” (p. 170-1)
Ward argues that the crux of China’s “comprehensive national power” rests on its economic might. Economic growth (coupled with military expansion) fuels China’s global quest to establish itself in a dominant position without peer competitor. That requires replacing the United States at the top of the pecking order. In so doing, China has played a long game and engaged in a multi-fronted competition, using businesspeople, students, and entrepreneurs from a range of industries and sectors to steal intellectual property, learn from top international universities and institutions, and use that expertise to enrich and empower the Chinese Communist Party.
China’s path to dominance requires building influence from the developing world to industrialized Europe via Xi Jinping’s global Belt and Road Initiative. It also envisions eroding the US system of alliances throughout Europe and Northeast Asia. The Chinese vision seeks to rewrite the rules of international security, ending the system of alliances and “zero-sum game, absolute security,” (p. 189) replacing it with an order built on hierarchy with China at the top. As Ward explains, historically “the Chinese world order was not an order made of states of equal power. It was an order that derived from Chinese supremacy.” (p. 181)
The focus of this book is on US-China rivalry, but Ward makes clear that American allies will play a pivotal role in upholding the liberal world order that has prevailed since the end of World War II. Without support from democratic partners, this contest might “be a close-run thing.” But with renewed efforts to maintain alliances and economic leadership, Ward asserts, “the United States is in a far stronger position overall than China.” (p. 228)
Ward’s recommendations may be a step too far for some allies that rely heavily on China for trade and economic wellbeing. For instance, following from his assertion that China’s military power rests on its economic power, Ward insists on “closing China off from access to the things that pave its way to power.” (p. 229) It’s not clear whether he is advocating a full-scale decoupling from the Chinese economy, but following the logic of his arguments leads one to that conclusion. Whether this is realistic is debatable.
Whether readers and policymakers are ultimately persuaded by the arguments of China’s Vision of Victory, Ward’s book is a timely enjoinder to focus the debate over enormously consequential strategic choices to come as China’s continues to define the 21st century.
Ward argues that existing US policy toward China, which he refers to as “engage but hedge,” has definitively failed to curb Beijing’s appetite for destruction and, worse, abetted China’s militaristic rise, leading us to “the end of an American-led order.” (p. xvii) We are at the brink, and Ward insists there is still time to correct course to prevent the demise of the existing order and its replacement by an authoritarian Sino-centric one.
If readers are skeptical of Ward’s grim predictions, they may be persuaded by the rigor of his analysis. Ward’s research comprises years of conversations living and working in China, as well as extensive engagement with Communist Party archival documents. What he found, and what he urgently portrays to readers, is not a “secret” strategy. Indeed, as Ward makes clear, the Chinese have consistently laid out a vision for China’s resurgence from the founding of the Communist Party and Mao Zedong’s revolutionary era to the rule of Xi Jinping.
Yet the world has turned a blind eye to the implications of China’s rise, the book argues. “Despite new actions on trade and commerce in 2018, US understanding of China’s ascendancy remains chaotic and contradictory,” Ward writes. “The US lacks…the strategic focus of a rising nation like China. Thus, the Chinese Communist Party is able to work around the edges of American power, building its own global presence.” (p. 170-1)
Ward argues that the crux of China’s “comprehensive national power” rests on its economic might. Economic growth (coupled with military expansion) fuels China’s global quest to establish itself in a dominant position without peer competitor. That requires replacing the United States at the top of the pecking order. In so doing, China has played a long game and engaged in a multi-fronted competition, using businesspeople, students, and entrepreneurs from a range of industries and sectors to steal intellectual property, learn from top international universities and institutions, and use that expertise to enrich and empower the Chinese Communist Party.
China’s path to dominance requires building influence from the developing world to industrialized Europe via Xi Jinping’s global Belt and Road Initiative. It also envisions eroding the US system of alliances throughout Europe and Northeast Asia. The Chinese vision seeks to rewrite the rules of international security, ending the system of alliances and “zero-sum game, absolute security,” (p. 189) replacing it with an order built on hierarchy with China at the top. As Ward explains, historically “the Chinese world order was not an order made of states of equal power. It was an order that derived from Chinese supremacy.” (p. 181)
The focus of this book is on US-China rivalry, but Ward makes clear that American allies will play a pivotal role in upholding the liberal world order that has prevailed since the end of World War II. Without support from democratic partners, this contest might “be a close-run thing.” But with renewed efforts to maintain alliances and economic leadership, Ward asserts, “the United States is in a far stronger position overall than China.” (p. 228)
Ward’s recommendations may be a step too far for some allies that rely heavily on China for trade and economic wellbeing. For instance, following from his assertion that China’s military power rests on its economic power, Ward insists on “closing China off from access to the things that pave its way to power.” (p. 229) It’s not clear whether he is advocating a full-scale decoupling from the Chinese economy, but following the logic of his arguments leads one to that conclusion. Whether this is realistic is debatable.
Whether readers and policymakers are ultimately persuaded by the arguments of China’s Vision of Victory, Ward’s book is a timely enjoinder to focus the debate over enormously consequential strategic choices to come as China’s continues to define the 21st century.
November 8, 2020
A great read on how the Chinese Communist Party is looking to take over the world, from South America to Africa to Europe, and its close ties to Pakistan. Goes into detail as to how they disguise their motives, right down to getting the world to call General Secretary Xi Jingping, “President”!
I would out this book as a tie for 2nd on this topic. The best is The Hundred Year Marathon by Michael Pillsbury.
I would out this book as a tie for 2nd on this topic. The best is The Hundred Year Marathon by Michael Pillsbury.
August 26, 2019
Very good look at one of the US's trading partners but, not an ally of the US. China, unlike the US for years, looks out for their interests first and last. It is a very apt read for 2019 as we see the China agents and apologists scream in their shrill voices as Trump stands up to China's unfair and deceptive trade practices. It is nice that the US has a president that puts America first.
January 24, 2020
拥有金子的人制定了规则
HE WHO HAS THE GOLD, MAKES THE RULES
I've been reading headlines similar to the following for years now and foolishly never given them much thought:
Here’s how China became the world’s No. 2 economy and how it plans on being No. 1
China is on the cusp of keeping a big promise — a vow to double its GDP and income in a decade and take the country to the forefront of the global economic power structure...
South China Sea Fury: How Philippines Fumed at China's 'Cowards' After Sinking
The Philippines accused a Chinese vessel of ramming one of its boats causing it to sink, leaving the lives of the 22 on board the boat threatened....
Indonesia Rejects China's Claims Over South China Sea
JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia said on Wednesday it rejected China’s claims over a disputed part of the South China Sea as “having no legal basis”, after two days earlier protesting to Beijing over the presence of a Chinese coastguard vessel in its territorial waters...
Forced Tech Transfers Happen. But How Do They Actually Work?
China is using forced technology transfer to advance local firms
Forced technology transfers don’t typically start with an explicit threat from a Chinese official to hand over a trade secret or lose the ability to operate there. Instead, it’s murkier, perhaps a verbal request for sensitive information behind closed doors as part of the Chinese government’s licensing or approval process...
Does China Really Need Aircraft Carriers?
In home water, no. Far away, for sure. One of the world's top naval experts explains...
China Has a Grand, Strategic Plan. We Don’t: How Djibouti Became a Microcosm of Beijing’s Growing Foothold in Africa
China has financed ports, railways, airports and naval bases, as well as servers that house most or all of the internet for Somalia, Yemen and Ethiopia. But critics fear African countries could be left in ‘debt-traps’, and risk those assets being taken back by China. Beijing now holds over 70 per cent of Djibouti’s GDP in debt...
After reading a couple of these stories on any given day I'd yawn and shrug., "So what else is new?" I had fallen for the longstanding expectations of the "experts" that a prosperous, rising China would be content to integrate itself into the Western international order.
But then I read this book. Now I realize the gravity of these events and can start connecting the dots. There is nothing random about these incidents. They all fit into an overarching plan with a timetable. Working from a deep sense of national destiny (e.g. The China Dream), the Chinese Communist Party has guided a country of 1.4 billion people towards what it calls "the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," and, with it, the end of an American-led world. They have said so themselves - in public.
They have acquired wealth, they are buying a modern army and navy with that wealth (and stolen technology), they are expanding their influence around the world, and they are preparing to defend their influence with their new weapons. They are indeed living by the axiom - HE WHO HAS THE GOLD, MAKES THE RULES.
China's Vision of Victory is an eye-opening book that will show you China's great plan to become the world's dominant superpower and the totalitarian world order that comes with it. It's a book that will make you say "Oh, I know exactly why they're doing this and their rationale behind it" next time when you see a news piece about China.
HE WHO HAS THE GOLD, MAKES THE RULES
I've been reading headlines similar to the following for years now and foolishly never given them much thought:
Here’s how China became the world’s No. 2 economy and how it plans on being No. 1
China is on the cusp of keeping a big promise — a vow to double its GDP and income in a decade and take the country to the forefront of the global economic power structure...
South China Sea Fury: How Philippines Fumed at China's 'Cowards' After Sinking
The Philippines accused a Chinese vessel of ramming one of its boats causing it to sink, leaving the lives of the 22 on board the boat threatened....
Indonesia Rejects China's Claims Over South China Sea
JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia said on Wednesday it rejected China’s claims over a disputed part of the South China Sea as “having no legal basis”, after two days earlier protesting to Beijing over the presence of a Chinese coastguard vessel in its territorial waters...
Forced Tech Transfers Happen. But How Do They Actually Work?
China is using forced technology transfer to advance local firms
Forced technology transfers don’t typically start with an explicit threat from a Chinese official to hand over a trade secret or lose the ability to operate there. Instead, it’s murkier, perhaps a verbal request for sensitive information behind closed doors as part of the Chinese government’s licensing or approval process...
Does China Really Need Aircraft Carriers?
In home water, no. Far away, for sure. One of the world's top naval experts explains...
China Has a Grand, Strategic Plan. We Don’t: How Djibouti Became a Microcosm of Beijing’s Growing Foothold in Africa
China has financed ports, railways, airports and naval bases, as well as servers that house most or all of the internet for Somalia, Yemen and Ethiopia. But critics fear African countries could be left in ‘debt-traps’, and risk those assets being taken back by China. Beijing now holds over 70 per cent of Djibouti’s GDP in debt...
After reading a couple of these stories on any given day I'd yawn and shrug., "So what else is new?" I had fallen for the longstanding expectations of the "experts" that a prosperous, rising China would be content to integrate itself into the Western international order.
But then I read this book. Now I realize the gravity of these events and can start connecting the dots. There is nothing random about these incidents. They all fit into an overarching plan with a timetable. Working from a deep sense of national destiny (e.g. The China Dream), the Chinese Communist Party has guided a country of 1.4 billion people towards what it calls "the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," and, with it, the end of an American-led world. They have said so themselves - in public.
They have acquired wealth, they are buying a modern army and navy with that wealth (and stolen technology), they are expanding their influence around the world, and they are preparing to defend their influence with their new weapons. They are indeed living by the axiom - HE WHO HAS THE GOLD, MAKES THE RULES.
China's Vision of Victory is an eye-opening book that will show you China's great plan to become the world's dominant superpower and the totalitarian world order that comes with it. It's a book that will make you say "Oh, I know exactly why they're doing this and their rationale behind it" next time when you see a news piece about China.
August 9, 2019
An excellent overview
The author puts together the strategic intentions of Chinese leadership - how they view the world and how they go about doing it. An excellent starting point for the discussion of Chinese political intentions.
Would have also liked to see how they are addressing their internal weaknesses in welfare and environmental.
The author puts together the strategic intentions of Chinese leadership - how they view the world and how they go about doing it. An excellent starting point for the discussion of Chinese political intentions.
Would have also liked to see how they are addressing their internal weaknesses in welfare and environmental.
February 21, 2025
An intriguing and at times eye-opening anthology of excerpts from articles and research pertaining to the rejuvenation of China, with lots of highlights about the “Belt and Road” strategic approach. For me, the book read more like a well organized collection of quotes and notes from the past two decades, and not many original ideas. However, if the goal is to explain China from a non Western perspective, I believe the American author did a great job of sharing a variety of viewpoints.
The best summary of the “why” China has a vision of rejuvenation by 2049 is, “not a rise, but a restoration…an entire world defined by China’s supremacy,” as being the Middle Kingdom of their ancient past, prior to their “Century of Humiliation.”
I picked up this book for insight into China’s economic data and analysis of manufacturing, specifically a growing “military industrial complex”, but unfortunately these details were not covered.
The best summary of the “why” China has a vision of rejuvenation by 2049 is, “not a rise, but a restoration…an entire world defined by China’s supremacy,” as being the Middle Kingdom of their ancient past, prior to their “Century of Humiliation.”
I picked up this book for insight into China’s economic data and analysis of manufacturing, specifically a growing “military industrial complex”, but unfortunately these details were not covered.
January 25, 2021
I'm not very knowledgable in the world of global politics and especially understanding the depths of the dominance of China in world economics. But, this was recommended as a brilliant read by my uncle who is well invested in these topics so I thought why not inform myself?
So, this was a very good overview for those wanting to learn more of the history of China (well concise chapters to summarise 5000 years of history) and the CCP's recovery strategy from the Century of Humiliation. The distinction between China and CCP is important to think of as two seperate entities which is something I didn't really do consciously prior to reading this book.
Jonathan has condensed an immense amount of research and articulates very well in the 300 or so pages. With deep knowledge and insights on topics such as defence strategies, the Belt and road initiative and technology rolled out by the Chinese government, he writes clearly to show the path and strategy China aims to ultimately gain influence and power to increase their footprint around the world.
What I also found fascinating throughout was the exploration of the mindsets of the Chinese citizen and their patriotism, which constructs a strong identity of victimhood and need for redemption. Highly recommend for anyone who already has an interests in global politics and for those who are new to this topic.
So, this was a very good overview for those wanting to learn more of the history of China (well concise chapters to summarise 5000 years of history) and the CCP's recovery strategy from the Century of Humiliation. The distinction between China and CCP is important to think of as two seperate entities which is something I didn't really do consciously prior to reading this book.
Jonathan has condensed an immense amount of research and articulates very well in the 300 or so pages. With deep knowledge and insights on topics such as defence strategies, the Belt and road initiative and technology rolled out by the Chinese government, he writes clearly to show the path and strategy China aims to ultimately gain influence and power to increase their footprint around the world.
What I also found fascinating throughout was the exploration of the mindsets of the Chinese citizen and their patriotism, which constructs a strong identity of victimhood and need for redemption. Highly recommend for anyone who already has an interests in global politics and for those who are new to this topic.
February 18, 2021
"China's Vision of Victory" at first makes you think the West has already lost the battle. But, by the end, the reader is led to believe that there is still hope. That said, with the directions of the Biden Administration, its less aggressive resistance to China, rejoining the World Health Organization, and other liberal Molly-coddling, the reader must reassess the accuracy of that hope. Nonetheless, "Victory" is a must-read for anyone interested in the insidious growth of China's influence and raw power worldwide.
June 16, 2023
Simplistic and an obvious shill for the military. But a reasonable summary of 21st century China.
Spoiler alert. It’s about the economy stupid. Strong economic standing = Money for military buildup. And Might=Right. It’s been that way for the last several thousand years.
China’s problem is the invincibility of 1.3 billion Chinese. That’s a lot of people to repress and take over the rest of the world. And then repress those additional billions as well? Good luck CCP!
Spoiler alert. It’s about the economy stupid. Strong economic standing = Money for military buildup. And Might=Right. It’s been that way for the last several thousand years.
China’s problem is the invincibility of 1.3 billion Chinese. That’s a lot of people to repress and take over the rest of the world. And then repress those additional billions as well? Good luck CCP!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2021
This book reads like the preamble to the dragon slayer’s manifesto. The book is an engrossing read, and Dr. Ward does not flinch from his assessment that China’s strategic designs bode ill for the American led world order. The question is, is his assessment comprehensively correct, wildly inaccurate, or somewhere in between the two?
July 28, 2022
informative and interesting
Have not heard such a perspective about the Chinese Government and it’s political agenda.
This book is a great way to supplement any information about the future of our global environment as a whole
Have not heard such a perspective about the Chinese Government and it’s political agenda.
This book is a great way to supplement any information about the future of our global environment as a whole
January 18, 2024
Fantastic introduction to Chinas global strategy to regain world supremacy. There is a great balance of history/historical trends and current doctrine/examples. The themes of the book are driven home pretty hard but I think that is good and intentional as it is meant to be a wake-up call.
January 31, 2020
Really good book. Eye opening to growth and challenge of China during our lifetime.
March 15, 2020
This should be required reading for multinational CEOs and anyone in the upper reaches of the U.S. government.
June 19, 2021
This is a must-read for all especially for our next generation coming up. This will be one of the single most important issues of our time. Well-written account by an expert.
June 29, 2021
Very good app
August 20, 2021
This is a book that every American should read. I learned a lot about China’s ambitions and the various ways they are trying to regain supremacy on the world scene.
May 24, 2023
Eye opening and in many respects frightening based on how we seem to be ignoring China's ascent.
February 8, 2023
I understood that China has ambitions for a greater role in world affairs but I had no idea exactly why or how big they were. This book is an emergency siren for the United States. China means to displace the US economically and militarily and in other ways. That is not a good thing either for the US or for the world. We have an opportunity to rise to rise to the challenge but must be intentional and disciplined. For anyone interested in world affairs, geopolitics and the world our children will inherit this is a must read.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews