In the Dragon’s Shadow: Southeast Asia in the Chinese Century
£10.40
“An expert and lucid synthesis of the historical context and recent developments of Southeast Asia’s rich and complex relations with Beijing.”―John Reed, Financial Times
Today, Southeast Asia stands uniquely exposed to the waxing power of the new China. Three of its nations border China and five are directly impacted by its claims over the South China Sea. All dwell in the lengthening shadow of its influence: economic, political, military, and cultural. As China seeks to restore its former status as Asia’s preeminent power, the countries of Southeast Asia face an increasingly stark choice: flourish within Beijing’s orbit or languish outside of it. Meanwhile, as rival powers including the United States take concerted action to curb Chinese ambitions, the region has emerged as an arena of heated strategic competition.
Drawing on more than a decade of on-the-ground experience, Sebastian Strangio explores the impacts of China’s rise on Southeast Asia, the varied ways in which the countries of the region are responding, and what it might mean for the future balance of power in the Indo-Pacific.
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Additional information
| Publisher | Reprint edition (28 Jun. 2022), Yale University Press |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 384 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0300266405 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0300266405 |
| Dimensions | 12.7 x 3.05 x 19.56 cm |
by Gary Brogan
Very good synopsis of the issue challenging the world.
by Gabriel Stein
A very good book, whose message can be summarised in this quote:
This points to the Chinese government’s broader difficulties in transcending its solipsistic approach toward the region. Even as it regains its former power and wealth, China’s behavior remains wrapped in the mythology of its victimization by imperial powers, past and present. As long as the Chinese leadership holds fast to this idea, it will mostly fail to understand why its power and behavior have prompted such abiding concerns. China’s relationship with Southeast Asia is thus based on an increasingly tense contradiction, between the CCP’s self-image as an aggrieved victim of Western designs and the reality of its own burgeoning imperial potential. Even as it champions the principle of national sovereignty, China is seen to threaten it.
by yetanothercritic
The book provides a very comprehensive overview of the dynamics between China and Southeast Asia, grounded in historical background up until the present day. Broken down by specific countries makes it easily digestible, while the writing style is engaging, which can be challenging when grappling with such diverse content.
Ultimately, a great reference and highly recommended, whether for academic, general interest or other purposes.
by Robert Carmichael
Strangio’s book is a standout that examines China’s influence across the Southeast Asia region – for better and for worse. With individual chapters on China’s ambitions and actions in the ASEAN nations, this is the most comprehensive and incisive book I’ve read on the subject. Superb, and highly recommended. I’d also recommend his previous book (Hun Sen’s Cambodia) for readers interested in that country’s modern history.