Daring to Struggle: China's Global Ambitions Under Xi Jinping

by Bates Gill

Increasingly powerful, prosperous and authoritarian, China under the leadership of Xi Jinping has become a more intense competitor across the globe -- economically, technologically, diplomatically, militarily, and in seeking to influence people's hearts and minds. But what does China ultimately want in the world?

In this timely and illuminating book, internationally renowned China scholar Bates Gill explains the fundamental motivations driving the country's more dynamic, assertive and risk-taking approach to the world under Xi Jinping. With original and perceptive analysis, Daring to Struggle focuses on six increasingly important interests for today's China -- legitimacy, sovereignty, wealth, power, leadership and ideas -- and details how the determined pursuit of them at home and abroad profoundly shapes its foreign relationships, contributing to a more contested strategic environment in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

Readers will gain richer insights on: the increasing role of the Chinese Communist Party in the country's international affairs; the looming risks of conflict in areas of contested sovereignty around China's periphery; Beijing's dramatically changing approach to foreign economic relations; its expanding use of economic leverage and military coercion; China's aspirations to greater leadership in global governance; and the well-resourced promotion of its ideas, image and influence across the world.

Genres: China, Politics

320 pages, Hardcover

Published June 10, 2022

Reviews

[C. Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lot of good reviews below, key idea presented by Gill is that the Chinese Communist Party is fully entrenched in all aspects of Chinese society, and there should be no illusions about Xi’s object, which is for China and its system of Party-state authoritarianism to be viewed as a legitimate form of governance. In the long run, this will prove to be the CCP’s undoing. As the author makes clear, Xi and the CCP have spent more resources on domestic security systems than they have on military power, which is remarkable. Hard to see how the country ever escapes the middle-income trap so long as the CCP keep all aspects of the country under such a tight and repressive leash.

Xi potentially will retain power until he enters his eighties, ten years from now, so expect tensions to remain high for the foreseeable future. The U.S. should take a hard look internally and focus on making our people and economy more resilient and competitive, and extend our remarkable set of Allies as much assistance as reasonable to enable as many vectors of pushback as possible against the CCP’s coercive behavior.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Daring to Struggle, Bates Gill delivers a sharply reasoned and deeply informed examination of China’s evolving global strategy under Xi Jinping. Drawing on decades of expertise in Chinese foreign policy, Gill moves beyond surface-level commentary to explore the ideological and institutional forces that shape Beijing’s ambitions.

The book’s structure organized around six core national interests: legitimacy, sovereignty, wealth, power, leadership, and ideas provides a clear and cohesive framework for understanding China’s worldview. Rather than portraying China’s rise as purely opportunistic, Gill offers a nuanced view of a nation compelled by internal insecurities as much as by strategic calculation.

What makes Daring to Struggle particularly compelling is its balance of scholarly depth and accessibility. Gill manages to dissect complex political dynamics while maintaining a narrative that’s relevant to policymakers, academics, and informed readers alike. His analysis of China’s expanding global influence through economic leverage, technological ambition, and ideological promotion reveals both the scale and subtlety of Xi Jinping’s global project.

It’s an essential read for anyone seeking to grasp the deeper motivations behind China’s foreign policy and its implications for the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Struggles Abound

This was a comprehensive and insightful analysis of the political landscape in China, particularly under the leadership of Xi Jinping. Written by Bates Gill, this book provides an in-depth look at the strategies and plans that China has set for itself on the global stage and offers a unique perspective on the country's evolving, concerning, agressive, and imposing role in the world.

This book is an exceptionally great read for anyone looking to understand the political and economic forces driving China's global ambitions.

The author provides a detailed and well-researched examination of the key factors shaping China's policies and foreign relations, and offers a nuanced perspective on the country's strategic vision for the future.
A scary vision at that.

I found the book to be highly informative and well-written. Whether you're an expert on China or simply looking to gain a better understanding of the country and its role in the world, Daring to Struggle is a must-read book.

It offers a wealth of knowledge in this trying time.

4.5/5

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learned lots about China’s newest leader, Xi Jinping, and his ambitions for his country, both at home and abroad. This book provided insights on Xi’s motivations and overarching historical context on China’s situation leading up to the recent decade of his rule.

I feel, by reading this book, that I have a better understanding of China and all the things that have happened in the last decade, than I did prior, which is a good thing, I guess? Current (2024) relations with China, for many of the countries around the globe, are tense, and I think this book did a great job of illustrating just how quickly Xi and his CCP got to work.

Recommend this book if you’re interested in a current snapshot on China and its leader.

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/10