Document Created: 28 February 2007
Air & Space Power Journal- Winter 2007
Imagined Enemies: China Prepares for Uncertain War by John Wilson
Lewis and Litai Xue. Stanford University Press (http://www.sup.org), 1450 Page
Mill Road, Palo Alto, California 94304-1124, 2006, 384 pages, $60.00
(hardcover).
John Wilson Lewis and Litai Xue have written a superbly researched and
enlightening history of the transformation of Chinese military power since 1949
and the birth of the People’s Republic of China. They smartly detail the
evolution of its defense philosophy—from Mao and his extreme paranoia over
perceived enemies and their inevitable attack on China to the present day. What
makes this book unique, relative to others addressing the subject, is its depth
of firsthand information, analysis, and interpretation of the inner workings of
the Chinese government and military leadership that influenced the development
of China’s foreign policy and its version of a national security strategy. The
study delves into the nation-state friendships China has forged over the years
out of military necessity or for political leverage against a more pressing foe.
Regarding strategic challenges and the struggle for power, the authors candidly reveal how infighting, internal rivalries, mistrust, repeated purging of the senior leadership, shifting defense priorities relative to perceived enemies, and defense budgetary limitations have adversely shaped China’s defense posture: “Foreign conflicts and crisis seldom take precedence over internal stability and the political power of the established rulers” (p. 26). Lewis and Xue describe government and military leadership hierarchies in a relevant and purposeful manner—how they have evolved and influenced defense capability’s priorities. They pay particular attention to the Chinese air force and second artillery (strategic rocket forces)—forces/capabilities perceived as critical to China’s active defense strategy.
Imagined Enemies effectively presents a comprehensive articulation of contemporary defense and foreign-policy challenges facing China in light of their ever-increasing complexities. The authors emphasize such challenges as the technological superiority of the US military and its proven effectiveness in Iraq and the Balkans, coupled with the growing obsolescence of Chinese military equipment, inadequate levels of relevant operational training, and the struggles of its military to operate jointly. China’s pressing concerns over the ongoing North Korean crisis and its precarious relationships with Russia and Japan further push China onto the international/regional diplomatic stage. These issues are underpinned by China’s domestic and international economic aspirations, its emergence in the global economy, and its growing account balance: “While many current powers can still boast an edge in such critical areas as science and technology, China is working to lessen that advantage through favorable business deals, strategic technology acquisitions, and targeted scientific programs. Should that effort continue unimpeded, China’s race to greatness could succeed within the next twenty years” (pp. 1–2).
Lewis and Xue also assess the sensitivity and uneasy tolerance over the Taiwan situation, the probability of US military intervention in response to military conflict between China and Taiwan, or the likely response of China if Taiwan declared itself an independent nation. Furthermore, they postulate the likely military responses of China, Taiwan, and the United States under varying circumstances and their likely outcomes in a thought-provoking way.
Imagined Enemies will leave readers with a meaningful appreciation of the Chinese struggle for a stable existence and the extent to which China has gone in securing its borders, as well as the hardships and sacrifices it has endured to do so. The book is a great professional read for anyone interested in the evolution of Chinese defense philosophy and the psychology behind it, as well as individuals wanting a sound vantage point in understanding what the future may hold in US/Taiwan/China relations on the international stage.
Dr. David A. Anderson, Lieutenant Colonel, USMC, Retired
US Army Command and General Staff College
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