Debating China: The U.S.-China Relationship in Ten Conversations

by Nina Hachigian (editor)

America and China are the two most powerful players in global affairs, and no relationship is more consequential. How they choose to cooperate and compete affects billions of lives. But U.S.-China relations are complex and often delicate, featuring a multitude of critical issues that America and China must navigate together. Missteps could spell catastrophe.In Debating China, Nina Hachigian pairs American and Chinese experts in collegial "letter exchanges" that illuminate this multi-dimensional and complex relationship. These fascinating conversations-written by highly respected scholars and former government officials from the U.S. and China-provide an invaluable dual perspective on such crucial issues as trade and investment, human rights, climate change, military dynamics, regional security in Asia, and the media, including the Internet. The engaging dialogue between American and Chinese experts gives readers an inside view of how both sides see the key challenges. Readers bear witness to the writers' hopes and frustrations as they explore the politics, values, history, and strategic frameworks that inform their positions. This unique volume is perfect for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of U.S.-China relations today.

Genres: China, Politics, Nonfiction, Asia, Political Science

271 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Nina Hachigian is a Senior Vice President at the Center for American Progress and a Visiting Scholar of the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University. Earlier, she was the Director of the Center for Asia-Pacific Policy and a Senior Political Scientist at RAND. From 1998 to 1999, she was on the staff of the National Security Council. She lives in Los Angeles.

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was inclined to purchase this book after the Foreign Affairs Magazine review. This collection of essays is certainly a thoughtful and very provocative post-recession analysis of Sino-American relations. I found MOST of the debates to be humble, interesting, and concise. I enjoyed the relatively positive approach they took towards the situation. I think both players have a tendency to forget how diverse each country really is. Sans the doom-and-gloom approach politicians, defense fear mongers, and the media (on both sides) take, coupled with honest and thoughtful discussions similar to these, both parties can accomplish so much more, indelibly benefiting the whole world!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

this brilliant book should be a must-read for anyone curious about Sino-US relations. of books I have read in 2015, this one definitely makes the list for books-with-the-most-impact. I would even venture to say I would like to politely slide this book towards those 'fear mongers' that say China is the biggest threat to US security.

as other reviews say, the book is organized by a series of essays between diplomats or scholars from the US or China. some topics include Taiwan, cyber security, human rights and the environment. one diplomat/scholar writes to his or her counterpart and you sit in on their conversation. it's that simple.

I am not a China expert but I found this book a fantastic read because these conversations eliminate all the sensationalism that surround imperfect bilateral relations. someone should make a book like this but with Russia and the US instead.

[NCHS Library]

Publisher's Description: "The US and China form the only great power relationship in the world. Theirs is therefore the most closely watched relationship in international politics, and it is not an exaggeration to say that global stability hinges on it. The multitude of issues that America and China must handle together makes it exceedingly delicate - and even more knotty than the earlier US-Soviet relationship because of the complexity of the economic ties connecting China and America. In Debating China, Nina Hachigian, an emerging star in the field of US-China policy, pairs leading scholars from both the US and China in dialogues about the most crucial elements of the relationship: trade and investment; economic development; monetary policy; climate change and clean energy; political systems, values, and rights; the emerging military rivalry; regional security in south and northeast Asia, Tibet and Taiwan; and the media, including the Internet. She precedes the issue-focused chapters with a broad overview of the relationship for general educated readers. The dialogues between American and Chinese scholars are intended to give readers a balanced view of the topic at hand, and the two perspectives on offer for each issue area-some contrasting, some complimentary-are perfect for students trying to obtain a better understanding of US policy towards China. Logically structured and comprehensive in coverage, Debating China will be an essential primer on the most important international relationship of the twenty first century"--

[Hồ Vũ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting debate on the political, economic and cultural differences of the two superpowers

[Dan Slimmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was written at the perfect level for my amateur-but-enthusiastic interest in Sino-American relations. And many of the debates are quite candid!

It's clear from these letter exchanges that China and the U.S. want to find common ground and work toward the same goals. The relationship between the two is often compared to that between the U.S. and Russia during the Cold War, but after reading this book, that comparison strikes me as absurd.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This juxtaposition of points of view on China from Chinese and US experts, on 10 different themes, is amazingly effective at getting at the real differences and similarities between Chinese and US thinking on issues affecting this crucial relationship.

[Kimfu]

Very good book. It's interesting that my thoughts were much more in sync with the Chinese writers than their American counterparts.

二零一七年： 第十一本书