Making of foreign policy in China

This book is the first serious analysis of the process by which China's foreign policy is made. Dr. Barnett's path-breaking study draws on his own primary research, which included extensive personal interviews with a wide range of Chinese officials (including Premier Zhao Ziyang), academics, and foreign policy specialists. Barnett describes a major shift in top-level decision making from the Politburo and Standing Committee to the Party Secretariat and State Council. He analyses the foreign policy roles of various specialised party and government organ izations, as well as the roles of key government ministries and the military establishment. He discusses not only the institutions and individuals involved in the policy process but also the sources of information and system of analysis on which their decisions are based. Dr. Barnett has written the most detailed and up-to-date study available on this subject.

The importance of this book is directly linked to China's emerging role as a world power. It will prove an essential tool for those interested in China studies, Sino-Soviet relations, China's role in South East Asia and the Third World and the whole issue of trade with China.

One of the most distinguished China experts of our time, A. DOAK BARNETT was Professor of Government at Columbia University before becoming a Senior Fellow of the Brookings Institution and Professor of Chinese Studies at the School of Advanced International Studies at the Johns Hopkins University.