Sutter is a China expert who worked for the Congressional Research Service (as well as other government agencies) for more than 30 years and now is an international relations (IR) professor at George Washington University. He challenges the assessment of some specialists that a power shift is now occurring in the Asia-Pacific because of China's extremely rapid economic development and rising military power, making China likely to supplant the US. The volume surveys China's foreign relations in ten chapters. Sutter begins by describing the important characteristics of policy, such as its interest-based nature (notwithstanding rhetoric emphasizing principles). In three chapters he describes the changing course of policy, from the Maoist era (1949-69) to rapprochement with the US (1969-89) and the post-Cold War era. He forays into the decision-making environment and China's changing global importance. Then, three chapters discuss China's relations with the US, neighboring Asian countries, and with countries beyond Asia. Sutter concludes by emphasizing that China's IR focus will remain on its periphery, and it has far to go to 'emerge in a dominant position in Asia.' Comprehensive, up-to-date, and balanced in coverage; superior to Donald Gross's China Fallacy Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readership levels.

Choice Reviews

This is an important book that will be extremely valuable for anyone who wants to know more about the PRC’s current policies, the historical background of China’s place in the world, and the meaning of China’s 'rise.'

Pacific Affairs

Sutter’s book is a timely contribution that provides a thorough survey on PRC’s foreign relations based on solid observation of the drastic shifts and unpredictability in China’s behavior patterns since 1949, which, as the author argues, constrain China’s current program to exert greater influence in the Asia-Pacific. This book is recommended for general readers as well as researchers looking for updated studies of China’s foreign relations.

East Asia Integration Studies

This is simply the best up-to-date text on China's foreign relations available. In his detailed and measured study, Professor Sutter—a seasoned and sober observer—deflates the exaggerated estimates of many analysts about China’s rise and global influence by arguing that the country’s image and relations around the world are actually quite troubled and that China’s international behavior has been highly unpredictable and narrowly self-centered. This is a well-researched, strongly argued, and definitive assessment of China's role in the world.

David Shambaugh, George Washington University

Robert Sutter, who has contributed much to the understanding of China's foreign policy, brilliantly shows how from its early beginnings to the present day there has been a disconnect between China's self-image as an international actor and how its actual behavior has damaged its relations with neighbors and limited its capacity to contribute to international order. This should be of great interest to both students and diplomats.

Michael Yahuda, professor emeritus, London School of Economics and visiting scholar, George Washington University

Taking issue with the forecast of an imminent global power transition, Robert Sutter provides us with an analysis of modern Chinese foreign policy that is especially timely in view of Beijing's growing prominence in world affairs. It is also peerlessly comprehensive, both geographically and chronologically. For anyone interested in the shifting global balance of power, this book is a must read.

Lowell Dittmer, University of California, Berkeley