
Playing with Fire
The Looming War with China over Taiwan
John F. Copper(Author)
Praeger Publishers Inc
Published on 1. May 2006
Book
Hardback
280 pages
978-0-275-98888-3 (ISBN)
Description
One of the most pressing issues for China-and the world at large-is 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 China-and the world at large-is 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.
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 China-and the world at large-is 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 / Votes
"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 BookwatchMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
581 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-275-98888-3 (9780275988883)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
05/2006
1st Edition
Praeger Publishers Inc
€56.49
Available for download
Person
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.
Content
Introduction The 1996 Missile Crisis Prelude to the Missile Crisis The Tiananmen Massacre The U.S. Sells F-16 Fighter Planes to Taipei President Lee Visits His Alma Mater America's China Threat Debate; China's America Threat Debate After the Crisis Taiwan's 1996 Election President Clinton Visits China The Taiwan Relations Act is Refurbished The Missile Defense Issue The Present Standoff President Lee Comments That Taipei-Beijing Talks Should be Nation-to-Nation Taiwan's 2000 Election Taiwan's 2004 Election Conclusions The Future of U.S. China/Taiwan Policy