Asymmetric Strategic Competition

This book explores the intense strategic deadlock between the U.S. and China, analyzing why American efforts to contain China's rise have reached a critical impasse. It offers a clear and timely analysis of the asymmetric competition between a fragmented democracy and a centralized authoritarian power, China's longterm strategy, and the structural limits of American policy, making this book essential reading for anyone interested in international relations, global security, and China's growing influence.

The text opens by examining American strategic miscalculations and the foundations of China's global confidence within the evolving dynamics of U.S.China relations. It then moves through a detailed progression of China's persistent global ambitions guided by a "wholeofsociety" strategy, including the advantages of longterm centralized planning and its own "Monroe Doctrine." Later chapters investigate the expansion of Chinese influence through China's modern Marshall Plan (BRI), science diplomacy, and the use of both soft and sharp power, including China's official narratives, "Wolf Warrior" diplomacy, and long-arm jurisdiction, to shape the international system. It also addresses the risks surrounding Taiwan as a potential collapse trap in the rivalry. The conclusion calls for a reset in U.S.China strategic goals to avoid escalation and support peaceful coexistence.

Clear-eyed analysis of why U.S. containment of China has stalledand what asymmetric rivalry truly means Reveals China's whole-of-society, long-term strategyfrom BRI to Wolf Warrior diplomacyreshaping global power Examines Taiwan risks and offers pathways to reset U.S.China strategy for stability and coexistence

Autorentext

Jinghao Zhou is Associate Professor of Asian Studies at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, specializing in contemporary China and U.S.-China relations. He is the author of six books on Chinese politics, ideology, and international relations, including Great Power Competition as the New Normal of China-U.S. Relations (2023) and Why Is the China Model Losing Its Power? (2020). He has published more than sixty Englishlanguage articles and over forty pieces in Chinese journals and newspapers.

Inhalt
Introduction: Where Are We?.- The Intention Behind China's Global Ambition.- Advantages of Centralized Governance with a Long-Term Development Plan.- China's Monroe Doctrine: A Springboard to Global Hegemony.- Modern Version of China's Marshall Plan through the BRI and World Factory.- China's Strategic Levers in Global Science Diplomacy.- China's Global Soft Power via Strategic Narrative.- China's Sharp Power: Wolf Warrior Diplomacy and Long-arm Jurisdiction.- Is Taiwan Strategic Frontline or Collapse Trap?.