Playing with Fire: The Looming War with China over Taiwan

(Hardback)

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One of the most pressing issues for Chinaand the world at largeis the continuing presence of an independence-minded Taiwan off China's southern coast. Recent modernization efforts within the Chinese military and tough remarks by Chinese officials have alarmed many in Washington, and caused others to question America's commitments in the region. Copper details events of recent decades to give the reader a complete picture of potential flash points concerning Taiwan. An expert who has studied the region for more than thirty years, he saw firsthand the turmoil that followed the recent Taiwanese elections. Drawing upon his interdisciplinary research on the political, economic, and military issues surrounding the U.S.-Taiwan-China triangle, he assesses the various aspects of this complex relationship and comments on what may come from playing with fire. Daily headlines and news stories remark upon the growing economic might of China. Analysts note that this increasing economic influence will undoubtedly lead to increasing political engagement on a global level. It is clear that the United States can no longer ignore what Napoleon called the sleeping giant. One of the most pressing issues for Chinaand the world at largeis the continuing presence of an independence-minded Taiwan off China's southern coast. Recent modernization efforts within the Chinese military and tough remarks by Chinese officials have alarmed many in Washington, and caused others to question America's commitments in the region. Copper details events of recent decades to give the reader a complete picture of potential flash points concerning Taiwan. An expert who has studied the region for more than thirty years, he saw firsthand the turmoil that followed the recent Taiwanese elections. Drawing upon his interdisciplinary research on the political, economic, and military issues surrounding the U.S.-Taiwan-China triangle, he assesses the various aspects of this complex relationship and comments on what may come from playing with fire.

Reviews

Copper has published widely and testified before congressional committees. As indicated by the book's title, the author is strongly of the view that war is likely between the US and China over the independence proclivities of Taiwan. The author deals more fully with the years since the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown against the student democracy movement than any previous period in Sino-US relations. In putting his case, he draws attention especially to 1996, when China set out to intimidate Taiwan by lobbing missiles its way and in response the US dispatched a flotilla up the Taiwan Strait, mostly as an expression of solidarity with its island ally. Many others, including this reviewer, have a different take on the US-China relationship: that it will likely continue to evolve within a complex framework based on conflict, competition, and cooperation in the geopolitical, economic, and diplomatic spheres, rendering war between the US and China unlikely in the foreseeable future over any issue, including the status of Taiwan. The book is well written and reads well, and will be of interest mostly to China specialists. Recommended. Researchers, faculty, and practitioners. * Choice *
A careful yet prolific scholar, Copper provides detailed background covering the last several decades in relation to an increasingly possible showdown between the United States and China over Taiwan. He analyzes the damage to U.S.-China relations from Tiananmen Square, the missile defense issue, and the Taiwan elections in which the Nationalist Party lost. He points out the danger when leaders on all sides pander to domestic groups; Taiwanese politicians play with fire by defying Beijing and expecting American support. Recommended for large libraries and special collections. * Library Journal *
The issue of Taiwan's independence could well prove to be a flashpoint that leads to war between the United States and China. Copper provides a chronological account of the triangular relationship revolving around the status of Taiwan from the damage done to US-China relations by the 1989 Tiananmen massacre to Taiwan's 2004 election, which brought a secessionist president to office. * Reference & Research Book News *
Playing with Fire compiles a history of recent decades to support the contentions of the author/expert, who has studied the region over thirty years and who here uses an interdisciplinary research appoint to assess the issues. * Midwest Book Review - California Bookwatch *

Author Bio

John F. Copper is Professor of International Studies at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn. He is the author of more than twenty books and has testified before the Senate Foreign Relations and House Foreign Affairs Committees.