The Coming Conflict with China

by Richard Bernstein and Ross H. Munro

Book Overview

From two former Beijing bureau chiefs with long experience in Asian affairs comes a clear-eyed and uncompromising look at the potentially disastrous collision course now taking shape in U.S.-China... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0679454632
• ISBN13: 9780679454632
• Release Date: February 1997
• Publisher: Knopf Publishing Group
• Length: 245 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.0" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

China conflict then and now!

This book was written a quarter century ago and still applicable today. Do they have the crystal ball for telling the future? It was over the Taiwan issue. America is heavily involved in Chinese internal affairs with the warlords, Generalissimo Chiang and Mao. Chiang lost Mandate of Heaven even with American Baptism, American dollars and American military equipment. He was the transportation captain of weapon to the communist. Chinese people voted him out and his KMT part fled to Taiwan to exile where the father and son died there without the hope to re-capture China proper lost to Mao. Korean and Vietnam wars saved the corrupt regime in the Truman White Paper – Who Lost China. America re-established diplomatic relation and forsake Taiwan in 1979 but still the non-government tie with Taiwan Act, with mental reservation in supplying weapons and high rank official contacts. It was the bone of contention still today. This book must be Trump favorite as he waged trade war with China in high tariffs, with high inflation and high price. Read this basic to know the future.

Thorough and concise summary of the Chinese challenge

_The Coming Conflict with China_ by Richard Bernstein and Ross H. Munro is a relatively brief (at 221 pages) but thorough assessment of the possible threat of and (to a lesser extent) the possible solutions to an emerging China in the early years of the 21st century. While not condemning China in any manner I would describe as hateful or racist and indeed acknowledging that there is a distinct possibility China may one day grow more democratic and develop close ties to the United States in the future, the authors contended that American policy makers need to be aware of the real threat to American vital interests posed by the Chinese, the disparity between stated Chinese goals and actual Chinese policy, and the ineffectiveness if not downright naivety of past American policy dating from the late 1980s, when China and the United States no longer had the Soviet Union as a common enemy and thus no longer had much in the way of common ground on strategic issues. Chinese policy has changed markedly since then thanks to events beginning in the late 1980s, notably with the brutal crackdown of the Tiananmen Square student occupation in 1989 (the Chinese saw this and other actions as a real threat to their Communist Party), the consequences of Mikhail Gorbachev's political reforms (which the Chinese interpreted as diluting the Soviet Communist Party's power and leading to their ousting), and the 1991 Gulf War (a display of very advanced military technology and planning that stunned the Chinese, showing to them how far behind the Americans they were and technology they would have to begin to master in order to achieve territorial goals in the South China Sea and any possible future military actions against Taiwan). The leadership in China has been working towards a goal of domination over Asia by a four-pronged strategy. First, and foremost, to gain sovereignty and control over Taiwan (the authors described in detail the Chinese naval, air, and army build up in the last decade or so), second, to expand Chinese military presence in and take control of the South China Sea (in large part by annexing small islands and island groups such as the Spratly Islands and Mischief Reef, illustrated in a map in the front of the book), third, to reduce the American military presence in East Asia (particularly if possible on the Korean peninsula, done by encouraging the collapse of North Korea and the reunification of the peninsula under South Korea, ending the need for a large American military presence there), and third, paradoxically, to maintain a high American troop presence in Japan to keep it from rearming and becoming more assertive in international affairs. The latter point is one the authors stressed several times, as the growing power of China will require a more powerful, skilled, and assertive Japanese military, as the Americans alone cannot hope to counterbalance China, to keep Taiwan safe and free, and to keep the sea lanes open (in the face of Chinese d

Excellent Study of this topic!

Contrary to what many people here have stated, this is an excellent study of Sino-American Relations. This book uses information from official Chinese sources, history, and other sources to weave a tight and well reasoned thesis about China and China's relation to America. This is well worth reading and buying.

A realistic look at an uncomforable subject

As my profession is that of a US Navy officer, I have more than a passing interest in foreign affairs. I spotted this book at the store, and in light of recent world events (i.e. the sentencing of Chinese democracy dissidents to years at hard labor for the Orwellian charge of 'spreading counterrevolutionary information' and the recent sale of missile technology to the Chinese govt) I bought it. It is a definite 'must-read' for anyone with an interest in this area. The authors show how greedy US businessmen, ex-government officials, and Chinese apologists are selling out both the American soldier and American consumer in the name of the quick buck. The authors use the Chinese government's own words to show the enmity held towards the United States, not by the Chinese citizen, but by the Communist ruling elite, intent on ruthlessly crushing any opposition. It is amazing to me that people will refuse to believe that China's leaders will not hesitate to crush a weakened neighbor when daily we see evidence of their complete disregard for the basic rights of their own citizens. If the authors are as right as they appear to be, the scenes seem eerily reminiscent of Europe in the 1930's. The question is, are we going to continue to 'appease' China much like Chamberlain tried to 'appease' Hitler? Or, are we going to find the Churchillian courage to remain firm in the face of evil? This book makes for an excellent, thought-provoking read. I wish that I could make it required reading for every Western military officer and national legislator.

A must read for the 21st century's geo-politcal setting.

A well-written and researched book. The authors take a realistic geo-political view of the relationship between China and the United States. Their focus on the regional hegemony that drives China's foreign policy is eye opening. There are definitely problems ahead for the U.S., if for no other reason than this nation's economic investment in the Pacific Rim. But obviously there are other reasons, not the least of which are our security interest with Japan and Taiwan.Perhaps the most intriguing and, clearly, the most troubling assertions from the authors are their detailed explorations of the China Lobby. If true, it is a disaster in the making. The highlights of which can be glimpsed in the Clinton administrations potential betrayal of this nation's security interest. The careless and cavalier manner in which technology has been transferred to the Chinese reflects the unrealistic representation of the Chinese government, their goals, and their interest, as portrayed by this country's most distinguished statesmen acting as a China Lobby.A must read to understand the 21st century's geo-political world.

Perceptive and incisive

A very good book that has a depth and breadth far, far above that of the usual texts on Sino-American relations. Moreover, it avoids much of the cant and pussy footing which surrounds geopolitical issues which need to be discussed candidly. For non-Americans as well, it is especially refreshing to see issues concerning America's allies in the context of this relationship given their due. From afar, and reading some other American authors on this subject, one could be forgiven for thinking that Beijing-Washington relations existed in a vacuum. Not so in this book and for this mature perspective the authors are to be congratulated. Summing up, my view is that this is a very good book for those interested in this pivotal relationship of the coming century. It is thought provoking and aggressive, and whatever else you may think about the Berstein-Ross thesis, for this alone I would advise buying this book. G.A.F. CONNOLLY