Sinostan
China's Inadvertent Empire
Published on 14. April 2022
Book
Hardback
336 pages
978-0-19-885796-9 (ISBN)
Description
Based on more than a decade's writing, research, and travel, this book offers a rare glimpse into China's expanding economic, cultural, and political power in the Eurasian heartland.
China's rise is changing the world. Much attention has been given to how China's geo-economic vision is playing out in the global economy, or how its technology is reshaping the planet, yet it is over its western borders, in Central Asia, that China's influence has been quietly expanding in a more pervasive way. It is here that you can find the first strand of Xi Jinping's grand Belt and Road Initiative, China's new Silk Road to the West. It is to the Eurasian heartland that we can look for an understanding of China's new foreign policy vision and its consequences.
In Sinostan, two acclaimed foreign policy experts recount their travels across Central Asia to keep their finger on the pulse and tell the story of China's growing influence. They interview Chinese traders in latter day Silk Road bazaars; climb remote mountain passes threatened by construction; commiserate with Afghan archaeologists charged with saving centuries-old Buddhist ruins before they are swept away by mining projects; meet with eager young Central Asians learning Mandarin; and sit with officials in all five Central Asian capitals, bearing witness to a region increasingly transformed by Beijing's presence. Their stories and experiences illustrate how China's foreign policy initiative has expressed itself on the ground, and what it means for those living both within and beyond the boundaries of its 'inadvertent empire'.
China's rise is changing the world. Much attention has been given to how China's geo-economic vision is playing out in the global economy, or how its technology is reshaping the planet, yet it is over its western borders, in Central Asia, that China's influence has been quietly expanding in a more pervasive way. It is here that you can find the first strand of Xi Jinping's grand Belt and Road Initiative, China's new Silk Road to the West. It is to the Eurasian heartland that we can look for an understanding of China's new foreign policy vision and its consequences.
In Sinostan, two acclaimed foreign policy experts recount their travels across Central Asia to keep their finger on the pulse and tell the story of China's growing influence. They interview Chinese traders in latter day Silk Road bazaars; climb remote mountain passes threatened by construction; commiserate with Afghan archaeologists charged with saving centuries-old Buddhist ruins before they are swept away by mining projects; meet with eager young Central Asians learning Mandarin; and sit with officials in all five Central Asian capitals, bearing witness to a region increasingly transformed by Beijing's presence. Their stories and experiences illustrate how China's foreign policy initiative has expressed itself on the ground, and what it means for those living both within and beyond the boundaries of its 'inadvertent empire'.
Reviews / Votes
Sinostan is the perfect place to start for anyone who wants to understand the transformative force that is shaping the future of Eurasia. * Andrew Small * The book is informative, insightful and entertaining. Throughout, readers can appreciate the keen eye, sharp analytical mind and wit of the authors. * Nargis Kassenova, International Affairs * A compelling geopolitical travelogue... * Isabel Hilton, Financial Times * [Sinostan] is an invaluable work on a relatively obscure region and is surprisingly vivid for an academically minded text, with much fascinating detail from the authors travels across the vast region. * Oliver Farry, Irish Times * Sinostan delivers a... comprehensive evaluation of the extent of China's influence in Central Asia today. * Adeeb Khalid, Times Literary Supplement * Offers illuminating and relevant insights into the Sino-Russian relationship... The unique blend of travelogue and geopolitics, which makes for an accessible read. * George Magnus, LSE Blogs * ... Sinostan should be on the reading list of any individual who is trying to understand the China-Russia relationship in these uncertain times.... a rich and thought-provoking work. * Hugh Jones, LSE Blog * a lively narrative filled with real people and genuine human interest... a deeply researched book that makes for fascinating reading. * Valerie Hansen, Los Angeles Review of Books * If you want to get your head around China's foreign policy priorities, you can do worse than dedicate a few quiet hours to Sinostan... * David Dodwell, South China Morning Post * ... a timely and nuanced picture of China's aims and behavior in the region... Their approach presents what is actually happening in reality rather than the fevered dreams of some policymakers. * Joshua Huminski, Diplomatic Courier * ... an extensively researched telling of Beijings rising power in Central Asia, unvarnished by agenda or a desire to construct smooth grand narratives... the book lays out a convincing case for viewing China as a detached regional power. Central Asia may be the belt in the Belt and Road Initiative, but it is a loose fit. * Maximilian Hess, Eurasianet * ... a detailed picture of how China is operating outside its borders. * Mark Broatch, NZ Listener * A sparkling, carefully observed account that offers an outstanding close-up view of a set of new worlds being formed out of sight of most commentators. Filled with insights and necessary reading for anyone interested in the rise of China, Central Asia and global geopolitics. * Peter Frankopan, University of Oxford, and author of The Silk Roads: The Extraordinary History that created your World * A powerful book on a topic of huge importance. * Rana Mitter, Professor of the History and Politics of Modern China, University of Oxford * The book reads like an exhausting travelogue: taxis here, airport queues there, meetings with sources everywhere. What this first hand narrative approach does well is capture the swirling sense of intrigue and ambiguity that can envelop Central Asia. * Christopher Ruane, Asian Affairs 54.2 *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 239 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 32 mm
Weight
544 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-885796-9 (9780198857969)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Persons
Raffaello Pantucci is an internationally acclaimed foreign and security policy expert. He is a Senior Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) in Singapore and a Senior Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) in London. He has worked at influential strategic studies think tanks in London, Washington, and Shanghai, providing advice to governments, international organizations, and companies alike. He is a regular contributor to the Financial Times, New York Times, and Foreign Policy.
Alexandros Petersen was an academic, writer, and geopolitical energy expert. He published three books and over 120 articles, reports, and chapters in books, and made more than 50 media appearances internationally. Petersen addressed the implications of the West withdrawing its engagement from the Caucasus and Central Asia, the expansion of Chinese influence, and Russia's strategic interests. He taught at the American Universities of Afghanistan and Central Asia, having lived and travelled extensively across Eurasia. He was killed in a Kabul restaurant bombing and shooting attack.
Alexandros Petersen was an academic, writer, and geopolitical energy expert. He published three books and over 120 articles, reports, and chapters in books, and made more than 50 media appearances internationally. Petersen addressed the implications of the West withdrawing its engagement from the Caucasus and Central Asia, the expansion of Chinese influence, and Russia's strategic interests. He taught at the American Universities of Afghanistan and Central Asia, having lived and travelled extensively across Eurasia. He was killed in a Kabul restaurant bombing and shooting attack.
Content
Introduction
1: Beyond the Heavenly Mountains
2: Developing the New Frontier
3: Cake, Heaven Sent
4: Silk Road or Synthetic Road?
5: Confucius on the Oxus
6: Spreading the 'Shanghai Spirit'
7: The New Great Wall
8: Inheriting Afghanistan?
9: Tying Up the World: The Silk Road Economic Belt
Conclusion
1: Beyond the Heavenly Mountains
2: Developing the New Frontier
3: Cake, Heaven Sent
4: Silk Road or Synthetic Road?
5: Confucius on the Oxus
6: Spreading the 'Shanghai Spirit'
7: The New Great Wall
8: Inheriting Afghanistan?
9: Tying Up the World: The Silk Road Economic Belt
Conclusion