For the past 250 years, China has proven to be a restless empire. Tracing China's journey from the era of the Qing dynasty to today's People's Republic, Restless Empire reveals how the country's global perception has evolved. It explains how Chinese attitudes have been shaped by both acceptance and resistance to external influences and outlines the priorities that have defined its foreign policy.

Soon, China could succeed the United States as the world's largest economy. By then, the country expects to have eradicated poverty from its population and to have established itself as the world's technological powerhouse. However, some, especially its neighbors, fear that China will bolster its military strength to impose its will on others.

A new form of Chinese nationalism is emerging. Many Chinese are angry about perceived past injustices and fear the loss of their identity from commercial forces and foreign influences. Will China's appeal to the global society diminish, or will it continue to engage? Will it try to recreate a Sino-centric international order in East Asia, or will it pursue a more harmonious diplomatic path? And can it overcome the lack of democracy and transparency, or are these traits deeply embedded in the Chinese system? Whatever the case, we ignore China's international history at our peril.

Restless Empire is a compelling and essential history of the most important country in global affairs today.