China's Assertive Nuclear Posture : State Security in an Anarchic International Order

Zhang, Baohui

ISBN 10: 1138799254 / ISBN 13: 9781138799257

Published by Routledge, 2015

About this Item

Seller Inventory # 22079916-n

Bibliographic Details

• Title: China's Assertive Nuclear Posture : State Security in an Anarchic International Order
• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication Date: 2015
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1138799254
• ISBN 13: 9781138799257
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

China’s nuclear capability is crucial for the balance of power in East Asia and the world. As this book reveals, there have been important changes recently in China’s nuclear posture: the movement from a minimum deterrence posture toward a medium nuclear power posture; the pursuit of space warfare and missile defence capabilities; and, most significantly, the omission in the 2013 Defence White Paper of any reference to the principle of No First Use. Employing the insights of structural realism, this book argues that the imperatives of an anarchic international order have been the central drivers of China’s nuclear assertiveness. The book also assesses the likely impact of China’s emerging nuclear posture on its neighbours and on the international strategic balance, especially with the United States. The book concludes by examining China’s future nuclear directions in the context of its apparent shift toward a more offensive-oriented international strategy.

About the Author

Baohui Zhang is Director, Centre for Asian Pacific Studies, and Professor of Political Science, at Lingnan University, Hong Kong