The China Challenge

Many see Chinas rise as a threat to US leadership in Asia and beyond. Thomas J. Christensen argues instead that the real challenge lies in dissuading China from regional aggression while eliciting its global cooperation. Drawing on decades of scholarship and experience as a senior diplomat, Christensen offers a deep perspective on Chinas military and economic capacity. Assessing Chinas political outlook and strategic goals, Christensen shows how nationalism and the threat of domestic instability influence the partys decisions about regional and global affairs. Articulating a balanced strategic approach along with perceptive historical analysis, Christensen describes how we might shape Chinas choices in the coming decades so that it contributes more to the international system from which it benefits so much.