China's Wars: The Politics and Diplomacy Behind its Military Coercion

The People’s Republic of China has engaged in military coercion or grey-zone wars with several major powers and neighbours since 1949. Portraying itself always as the victim of aggression, it holds adversaries responsible for provoking conflict by trampling on China’s national security and, thus, compelling it to retaliate in self defence. Its ability to achieve political objectives even with more powerful adversaries while absolving itself of blame and justifying the use of force, makes it...