What do you think?
Rate this book
The Coming Conflict with China
From two former Beijing bureau chiefs with long experience in Asian affairs comes a clear-eyed and uncompromising look at the potentially disastrous collision course now taking shape in U.S.-China relations. Aggressively anti-American, China has nuclear weapons deliberately targeted at the United States. Recent confrontations between Chinese and American military forces indicate that China may try to take Taiwan by force. While our trade deficit rises to unprecedented heights, the powerful new china lobby shapes U.S. policy with the support of American businesses eager for a share of its booming markets. The Coming Conflict with China is required reading for those who wish to understand the tense global rivalry that is already shaping the course of the 21st century.
"Plunges harpoons into the tenderest interstices of the Chinese-American relationship."--New York Times
"Disturbing and provocative...There is plenty to worry about."--Wall Street Journal
"Plunges harpoons into the tenderest interstices of the Chinese-American relationship."--New York Times
"Disturbing and provocative...There is plenty to worry about."--Wall Street Journal
272 pages, Paperback
Published February 3, 1998
About the author
Richard Bernstein
39 books16 followersGrowing up in the small town of East Haddam, Connecticut, RICHARD BERNSTEIN always dreamed of seeing the world, and after he finished university he figured a great way to do that would be to become a newspaper reporter. So he became a foreign correspondent for Time Magazine and then the New York Times, which sent him all expenses paid!) to lots of countries, including Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, France, Germany, Poland, South Africa, Mozambique, and about 20 others. Along the way, he wrote thousands of newspaper articles and seven books, mostly for grownups. A Girl Named Faithful Plum is his first book for young readers, but he's sure it won't be his last. After moving around for most of his life, Richard settled in Brooklyn, New York, where he lives with his wife, Zhongmei (who is Faithful Plum!), his son, Elias, and their cat, Lucky.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 31, 2020
Published in 1998, this book is remarkable for it prescient view of US-Sino relationship. A clear-eyed examination of China's ambitions and and actions pointed in only one direction, one that the author (Along with Ross Munro,) warned us all.
I used this book, among other sources, when I researched for a novel about this subject. Revisiting the book again reminded me how after years of "engagement" policy, the USA is late in adopting the "Containment" policy. The "Sleeping Tiger" as the Chinese referred to themselves in the 1990s has long awakened. By its sheer size alone, combined with ruthlessness, it follows a moral compass that the West fails to fully grasp.
If the COVID-19 pandemic raised questions and distrust among Americans, it is time they demand their legislatures to try to turn the dial back, although it is doubtful that the tiger can be coaxed back into its cage.
I used this book, among other sources, when I researched for a novel about this subject. Revisiting the book again reminded me how after years of "engagement" policy, the USA is late in adopting the "Containment" policy. The "Sleeping Tiger" as the Chinese referred to themselves in the 1990s has long awakened. By its sheer size alone, combined with ruthlessness, it follows a moral compass that the West fails to fully grasp.
If the COVID-19 pandemic raised questions and distrust among Americans, it is time they demand their legislatures to try to turn the dial back, although it is doubtful that the tiger can be coaxed back into its cage.
December 13, 2019
Although slightly outdated (written in the late '90s), this book provides a strong background to a Sino-skeptic view in Sino-American relations, especially since the early '90s. The book is comprehensive in its assessment, noting how the growing power of the New China Lobby, the economic power of corporations linked to the People's Liberation Army, and increasing Chinese aggression against Taiwan and Japan and in the South China Sea necessitates a new perspective in dealing with China.
February 1, 2016
We seem to truly be at the crossroads of yet another major world conflict, with the dominant side of the West coming into conflict with the rising East, driven by the 21st century industrial giant - China. Despite this book being written 20 years ago, the events have been slowly evolving, and we see it's urgency more than ever in 2016.
The thesis put forward by the two journalists, Bernstein and Munro, is that sooner or later communist China will rise up to challenge America for maritime and military supremacy. This inevitability seeps through the pages of the book, and even though the secrecy of the party is evident, we get a sense that the events really are unfolding on a collision course.
The lobbying connections between Bejing and Washington show how China got to use its cunning manipulation to advance technologically, while keeping import tariffs high and devaluing the yuan. This is nothing new, but the prove that 20 years of this led to China's rise are more than evident when the evidence is examined.
In that light, it is not that surprising that this work hasn't been expanded for the past 20 years, given how mainstream the China problem has become. We still have tactical maneuvers in the South China Sea, we still have Japan rising military (especially since the events last year) and finally the Taiwan situation is as predicted, with independentism on the rise.
The thesis put forward by the two journalists, Bernstein and Munro, is that sooner or later communist China will rise up to challenge America for maritime and military supremacy. This inevitability seeps through the pages of the book, and even though the secrecy of the party is evident, we get a sense that the events really are unfolding on a collision course.
The lobbying connections between Bejing and Washington show how China got to use its cunning manipulation to advance technologically, while keeping import tariffs high and devaluing the yuan. This is nothing new, but the prove that 20 years of this led to China's rise are more than evident when the evidence is examined.
In that light, it is not that surprising that this work hasn't been expanded for the past 20 years, given how mainstream the China problem has become. We still have tactical maneuvers in the South China Sea, we still have Japan rising military (especially since the events last year) and finally the Taiwan situation is as predicted, with independentism on the rise.
June 17, 2012
Intersting read. Even though this book is outdated, it does provide the reader clear cut patterns & trends within China regarding their commercial, military & foreign policy towards the West, especially the U.S., as well as, the U.S.'s pattern in foreign policy with China.
August 28, 2007
I disagree with the title, and I think the argument is weak.
January 9, 2017
Prescient.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews