China's Rise in Asia: Promises and Perils [Paperback]

Robert G. Sutter (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0742539075 | ISBN-13: 978-0742539075 | Publication Date: March 31, 2005 | Edition: 1

China's rapid military and economic growth has fuelled a steady stream of analysis and debate about the PRC's motivations and objectives regarding the United States. Yet until now, there has not been a sustained, single-authored assessment in English of China's expanding influence in Asia in the post-Cold War period. Respected analyst Robert G. Sutter draws on his extensive experience in the region to explore the current debate on China's rise and its meaning for U.S. interests by examining in detail China's current and historical relations with the key countries of Asia. He finds a range of motivations underlying China's recent initiatives. Some incline Chinese policy to be cooperative with the United States, others to be competitive and confrontational. Sutter's nuanced study shows that U.S. power and influence continue to dominate Asia and play a critical role in determining China's cooperative or confrontational approach. He argues that the Bush administration's policies of firmness and cooperation have encouraged China to stay on a generally constructive track in the region.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Sutter... skillfully weaves together recent history, current events, and future projections of Asian developments. He is particularly sensitive to how China's 'rise to great-power status' will affect U.S.-China relations. (Foreign Affairs )

China's Rise in Asia is a...well-reasoned and balanced assessment of the most pervasive security challenge of our times, not only for the United States but for the whole Asian region. (Richard Halloran Taiwan Business Topics )

[Sutter] carefully looks at the policy alternatives available to both nations and considers various views and interpretations of government officials, academics, and journalists in both the US and China. He looks at Chinese policies around its periphery, concentrating on Japan, Southeast Asia, and Russia. His conclusions, based on thorough and careful study, are cautious….He carefully balances various points of view and clearly identifies his own perspectives within the spectrums he presents. (Choice )

This is a carefully researched, well reasoned, and balanced assessment of the most pervasive security challenge of our times, the emergence of China as a political, economic, and military power. (Parameters )

No one will accuse [Sutter] of naiveté about Beijing’s long-range inten?tions. And that shrewdness is the great virtue of this entirely laudable book. (Robert M. Hathaway )

[Sutter] carefully looks at the policy alternatives available to both nations and considers various views and interpretations of government officials, academics, and journalists in both the US and China. He looks at Chinese policies around its periphery,concentrating on Japan, Southeast Asia, and Russia. His conclusions, based on thorough and careful study, are cautious?.He carefully balances various points of view and clearly identifies his own perspectives within the spectrums he presents.... (Choice )

This timely book provides a uniquely knowledgeable overview with the author's rare combination of impressive scholarship, extensive policy experience, and focused interviews in all major Asian countries. The book's balanced, comprehensive analysis makes a significant contribution to the ongoing debate over the implications of China's rise in Asia and beyond. (Deng, Yong )

Sutter deserves to be commended for embarking upon this ambitious project, and one that addresses such a timely subject. His study is likely to be useful to undergraduate and postgraduate students of Asian Studies, International Relations and Strategic Studies, as well as to journalists, scholars, and policymakers alike from a broad range of Asia-Pacific countries. (Brendan Taylor The China Journal )

Written by a veteran analyst of Chinese affairs who has been a voice of reason in the often frantic debate over China and U.S.-China relations, this book offers a comprehensive review of China's rise in the Aisa-Pacific region and a nuanced assessment of its possible impact on the U.S. . . . [A] most informative and insightful treatment of the subject. (Wang, Hongying Journal Of Asian Studies )

A comprehensive review of China's rise in the Asia-Pacific region and a nuanced assessment of its possible impact on the U.S. . . . Based on the author's exhaustive research, this book offers a great deal of information on China's new diplomacy in the Asia Pacific region and its possible impact on American interests. It is especially valuable becasue it examines the contending perspectives on the rise of China in each of the major contries in the region. Readers will surely find it a most inforamtive and insightful treatment of the subject. (The Journal Of Asian Studies )

Robert Sutter has drawn on his broad academic and government experience to write a comprehensive and detailed account of China's Asia policy and activities since the end of the Cold War, and their implications for the USA. (Asian Affairs )

About the Author

Robert G. Sutter was an analyst of Asian and Pacific affairs and American foreign policy for the U.S. government for over thirty years. He is currently visiting professor in the School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers; 1 edition (March 31, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0742539075
• ISBN-13: 978-0742539075
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,153,476 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Prompt delivery, November 10, 2008

By 

Julz "JJulz" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: China's Rise in Asia: Promises and Perils (Paperback)

i got exactly what i wanted after a very brief wait
would love to use this vendor again

o, & the book was in good shape

13 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Another self-fulfilling prophersy of China Threat, November 27, 2005

By 

Yibing Wu (WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: China's Rise in Asia: Promises and Perils (Paperback)

China cannot be trusted and Robert Sutter tells us why. In pages after pages, the author gives ample reasons that, as a rising power, China has to be watched carefully.

According to Sutter's theory, historically, China has had hegemonic ambitions. Not only she portrays her own struggles as of universal significance, she also keeps a close watch of countries around her periphery as if they are naturally within her sphere of influence. Her political leaders are hypersensitive to criticisms and tend to behave defensively. The Chinese plot their policies and strategies, not much guided by principles but mainly on a case-by-case bases. They are more likely to go after short-term gains than for long-term benefits. As a result, Chinese foreign policy tends to be capricious and disruptive. In Sino-US relations in particular, China has been long suspicious of U.S. ulterior motives and is actively hedging against U.S. policies through bilateral and regional actions.

In the same vein, Sutter views China's recently totted "peaceful rising" with suspicion. Whether China has truly renounced aggressive posture in her international dealings, or she just says so to "bid time" in order to secure economic growth, remains to be seen. As how to engage a rising China, Sutter sees Bush administration's approach as a potential model: keep her at arms length, do not give any unwarranted expectations (as Clinton administration has purportedly done), and stand firm.

My personal observation is, although there is some truth to many of his assertion, Sutter's ultimate fallacy is that he uses a liberalist standard to criticize China in order to justify U.S. own realist strategy.

For example, Sutter interprets China's proposal of opening its agricultural market to ASEAN countries as a way to undercut Japanese or Korean positions (p82). This is so anti-liberal for its Machiavellian motive, he seems to argue, it is yet another example of why China cannot be trusted. But even if we put aside the merit of such a decision in itself, and to look at parallels in U.S. policies, such a criticism is as unjustified as it is hypocritical. Since the WTO meeting in Cancun, U.S. Trade Representative has repeatedly offered to cut U.S. domestic agriculture subsides, not only to advance American agenda, but also to put pressure on the Europeans. The consensus in this case, however, is that America is exerting her leadership role in promoting Free Trade.

In his "China's International Relations" essay in Samuel Kim's book, Alastair Iain Johnston observed that some of the "China Threat" talks are self-fulfilling prophesies (has anyone mentioned Cuba being a victim of such prophesy?) I'd argue China Skeptics such as Sutter are no different. China's in U.S. crosshair today is not entirely her own fault, it is more or less because what she is or what she can be, especially in a world according to the U.S. For example, other world powers-that-be, like the European Union, is never that concerned about China's potential as another USSR. Other than some spousal disputes like economic matters, E.U. and China are getting along just fine---if not too close to U.S.'s liking, as in the recent case of proposed lifting of arms sales ban by the E.U. Even the herbivore countries living along the fringe of the dragon's cave are not so concerned with impending subjugation as a result of China's rise---as Sutter implies what could happen. On the contrary, some of them are acting as brakes to U.S. check on China. Even Australia told U.S. not to automatically count on her support had a conflict in Taiwan Strait broke out.

If Sutter does not consider himself as part of the China bashing gang, he must hold a very high standard of who is--- maybe the likes of University of Chicago's John Mearsheimer? Around the same time I read this book, I heard a media interview with James McGregor, a businessman/author. Although his criticism of China is no less harsh at times, he is at least coherent---China is just another business opportunity. If your objective is to make profit, you will have to learn to live with reality. Unfortunately, for analysts like Mr. Sutter, their job is to constantly look out for the surreal.

6 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Written by a true China expert, June 26, 2005

By 

Peter (Charlotte,NC, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: China's Rise in Asia: Promises and Perils (Paperback)

I had the privilege of having Robert Sutter as my professor at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. This scholar possesses a truly incredible grasp of China and the issues surrounding her Rise in Asia. I can earnestly recommend anyone remotely interested in Asian affairs to purchase this book and take advantage of Professor Sutter's expertise in the region.