
Reimagining the International
Chinese World Ordering before the West
Yongjin Zhang(Author)
Bristol University Press
1st Edition
Published on 19. May 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
238 pages
978-1-5292-3735-1 (ISBN)
Description
A rich and enlightening study of Chinese international relations, this book examines Chinese world ordering before the West as both intellectual history and institutional practices in deep world history. It shows how engaging China's historical pursuit of ordering the world can contribute to our search for global foundations of international thought.
Offering a distinctive English School perspective, this volume is a call to put studies of Chinese international relations in their proper historical context. It argues that such an approach leads to a better understanding of Chinese ideas and statecraft and contends that reimagining the international is indispensable for a fruitful pursuit of knowledge production in the construction of global IR.
Offering a distinctive English School perspective, this volume is a call to put studies of Chinese international relations in their proper historical context. It argues that such an approach leads to a better understanding of Chinese ideas and statecraft and contends that reimagining the international is indispensable for a fruitful pursuit of knowledge production in the construction of global IR.
Reviews / Votes
"The best book on China in International Relations because in rethinking its long history in a non-Eurocentric global context, it also tells us new things about the international system today." John M. Hobson, University of SheffieldMore details
Series
Edition
First Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Bristol
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
Not illustrated
Dimensions
Height: 156 mm
Width: 234 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
368 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5292-3735-1 (9781529237351)
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
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Book
01/2025
1st Edition
Bristol University Press
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Shipment within 3-4 weeks

E-Book
01/2025
1st Edition
Bristol University Press
€41.49
Available for download
Person
Yongjin Zhang is Professor of International Politics at the University of Bristol.
Content
Introduction
Part 1: International Thought in Ancient China
1. The Idea of Order in Ancient Chinese Political Thought
2. World Ordering in Confucian Moralpolitik
Part 2: Chinese World Ordering before the West
3. System, Empire, and State in Chinese World Ordering
4. The Tribute System as International Society
5. Europeans in Pax Sinica, 1513-1793
6. China in European Worlding, 1500-1800
Part 3: Chinese World Ordering as Intellectual History
7. Chinese World Ordering as History of Ideas
8. The 'International Turn' in Chinese Intellectual History
Epilogue: Reimagining the International
Part 1: International Thought in Ancient China
1. The Idea of Order in Ancient Chinese Political Thought
2. World Ordering in Confucian Moralpolitik
Part 2: Chinese World Ordering before the West
3. System, Empire, and State in Chinese World Ordering
4. The Tribute System as International Society
5. Europeans in Pax Sinica, 1513-1793
6. China in European Worlding, 1500-1800
Part 3: Chinese World Ordering as Intellectual History
7. Chinese World Ordering as History of Ideas
8. The 'International Turn' in Chinese Intellectual History
Epilogue: Reimagining the International