This edited volume undertakes a systematic exploration of China's multifaceted interactions with five pivotal players situated in the Indo-Pacific: the United States, Japan, India, Australia, and ASEAN. By delving into both the theoretical underpinnings of state-to-state relationships and the empirical nuances of China's strategic engagements with these five critical actors, this book casts a clarifying light on the complexity of China's bilateral ties within the region.The strateg...

Walk an alternative path to spiritual transformation with Zhuangzi's timeless wisdom.For many years, Zheng Kai's "The Philosophy of Zhuangzi" has been one of the most popular undergraduate courses at Peking University. Drawing on examples from modern science, engineering, arts, mathematics, and daily life, Zheng's lectures are tailored to attract students of various backgrounds, not just philosophy. An Introduction to Zhuangzi's Philosophy, based on these ...

Since the end of the Cold War, China has experienced several notable interstate crises: the 1999 'embassy bombing' incident, the 2001 EP-3 mid-air collision with a United States aircraft, and the Diaoyu/Senkaku dispute with Japan. China's response to each incident, however, has varied considerably. Drawing from a wealth of primary sources and interviews, this book offers a systematic analysis of China's crisis behavior in order to identify the factors which determine when Chinese leaders d...

The strategic rivalry between the United States and China has heightened since COVID-19. Secondary states face increasing difficulties maintaining a 'hedging' strategy between the United States and China. This Element introduces a preference-for-change model to explain the policy variations of states during the order transition. It suggests that policymakers will perceive a potential change in the international order through a cost–benefit prism. The interplays between the perceived costs ...

Why does North Korea behave erratically in pursuing its nuclear weapons program? Why did the United States prefer bilateral alliances to multilateral ones in Asia after World War II? Why did China become "nice"—no more military coercion—in dealing with the pro-independence Taiwan President Chen Shuibian after 2000? Why did China compromise in the negotiation of the Chunxiao gas exploration in 2008 while Japan became provocative later in the Sino-Japanese disputes in the East China Sea? Nor...

This book examines the strategic interactions among China, the United States, Japan, and Southeast Asian States in the context of China’s rise and globalization after the cold war. Engaging the mainstream theoretical debates in international relations, the author introduces a new theoretical framework—institutional realism—to explain the institutionalization of world politics in the Asia-Pacific after the cold war.Institutional realism suggests that deepening economic interdependen...

US–Chinese strategic competition is a defining factor in world politics. The prevailing narrative on US–China relations predicts inevitable conflicts between these two giants, potentially leading to a self-fulfilling prophecy. While fully acknowledging the inherent dangers of potential wars or military conflicts between the two powers, this book shows that competition is not necessarily detrimental. By systematically examining US–China institutional balancing across security, economic and ...

In the 1990s there was a wave of multilateralism in the Asia Pacific, led primarily by ASEAN. Since the Global Financial Crisis of 2008, however, many non-ASEAN states have attempted to seize the initiative, including the USA, Japan, China, South Korea, and Australia.Kai He and his contributors debate the reasons for this contested multilateralism and the impacts it will have on the region’s security and political challenges. Will the "Indo-Pacific turn" be a blessing or a curse fo...

This book contains research papers focusing on recent advances throughout the world in theories and technologies of geotechnical engineering and the relevant disciplines. Topics includes: numerical modeling, earthquake engineering, geomaterial application in soil improvement and geo-environmental engineering, foundation engineering, and geo-environmental engineering.. Papers were selected from the 5th GeoChina International Conference 2018 – Civil Infrastructures Confronting Severe Weather...

This book examines how major powers in the Indo-Pacific region cope with and respond to the potential order transition against the background of the strategic competition between the US and China.The world is in a crisis and the liberal international order is at stake with the Covid pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war indicating a possible order transition in the international system. The Indo Pacific region has become the focal point of intense competition between the United States...

This book presents a comprehensive framework for the theoretical analysis of space-air-ground networks using stochastic geometry. This analytical approach is indispensable for evaluating the performance of large-scale space-air-ground networks, which serve as critical facilitators for the advancement of the sixth-generation wireless communication aimed at providing high-speed broadband coverage for remote areas. By incorporating the features of topology and channel model in different tiers...

Traditionally, the South China Sea (SCS) issue was not on the negotiation table between the United States and China. However, the tensions between the United States and China over the SCS have gradually simmered up to a strategic level. Why and how did the SCS become a flashpoint between the United States and China? Will the United States and China really go to war over the SCS? Why did China adopt an "assertive" policy towards the South China Sea in the 2000s? What will regional actors do...