China on the Edge - Chinese Border Provinces and Chinese Security Policy  (English, Hardcover, Freeman Carla)

Although China is one of the oldest civilizations in the world, its resurgence in the 20th century has brought in political and economic push to its sovereign edge. China sought to complete the process of nation-building to the outer limits of its territorial sovereignty and extend its trade-oriented model for economic growth. China's influence on the countries across its territorial borders is on the increase. Except Russia and India, most of the 14 countries along with China's border are comparatively small, have historically depended on relations with external powers.

China's close relationship with its neighbours include trade flows in which China has become a top trade partner, energy sector where China is both top customer and supplier, military cooperation, infrastructural development including road and dam construction and new currency swap arrangements.

The authors have made deep study of the rich literature on China's contemporary and historical security policy, ethnic and minority policy, management of its frontiers, open source reports in the Chinese and international media, as well as field visits to China's borders, in several provinces and autonomous regions, particulary Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Jilin Province and Yunnan Province.

This book is divided into five Chapters - Chapter 1 provides general introduction on China's foreign and security policy, Chapter 2 examines the China- North Korea relationship, Chapter 3 highlights China-Mongolia relationship, Chapter 4 looks at the China-Vietnam and China - Myanmar / Burma relationship and Chapter 5 concludes with a focus on the institutional mechanisms involved in China's historical, political and social relationship with its neighbours through its border provinces.