China's Coming War with Asia

Book excerpt: China?s ambition is to rise peacefully. Avoiding fierceconflicts with its Asian neighbors is essential to this goal.Jonathan Holslag makes a brilliant case for the geopoliticaldilemma facing the rising China, and his argument that China willlikely enter into major conflict with Asia is compelling andthoughtful. Both Chinese experts and decision-makers will find thisbook illuminating reading. Asia is set for another great power war. As China?s influencespreads beyond its territorial borders and its global aspirationsgain momentum, so tensions with its neighbors are reaching breakingpoint. In this clear-sighted book, Jonathan Holslag debunks themyth of China?s peaceful rise, arguing instead that China?s policyof shrewd intransigence towards other Asian countries willinevitably result in serious conflict. China?s ambitions are not malicious. But what China wants ?namely to maximize its security and prosperity ? will lead to ahuge power imbalance, where China towers above her neighbors,impels them into unequal partnerships, and is increasingly able toseize disputed territory. At present, China?s focused anduncompromising pursuit of its own interests is bearing fruit. Manyof China?s neighbors are still too weak to counter Beijing?sinfluence, and China has ably exploited divisions between them todivide and rule. But several regional powers are now joining forcesto stop China. With the PRC unlikely to back down and nationalismriding high, China?s coming war with Asia is already in themaking.