On China by Henry Kissinger

I am reading On China by Henry Kissinger. The book on the history of modern day China from the perspective of former US secretary of state and National security advisor has been pretty fascinating. Reading On China adds depth to the knowledge on Chinese modern history that I had studied when I was in secondary school. I like for instance the exposition on the psychology of the Chinese leaders in their approach towards foreign policy, like how Mao borrowed the ancient Chinese stratagem of allowing barbarians to fight barbarians to in China’s rapprochement towards American in its bid to stem the tide of Soviet Union expansionism into its land.

The book also touched upon some highlights of early modern day Chinese history, such as its subjection to foreign imperialism during the Qing Dynasty. China lost the opium wars against the British, and was subsequently a target for unfair treaties by the military superior west and Japan. These historical background formed a certain psyche in China as being a century of humiliation, which the state of Taiwan being seen as the remnants of foreign imperialism upon Chinese civilization.

The book talks about Mao’s attempt to revolutionize Chinese culture away from its Confucian past, which is seen as the source of weakness of China in the past. In contrast to the doctrine of harmony and peace preached by the philosopher Confucius, Mao’s approach towards developing society was one of constant revolution and counter-revolution. These were exemplified in campaigns such as the Hundred Flowers Campaign, the Great Leap Forward, and the Cultural Revolution, some of which wrecked more carnage upon Chinese society than good.

Then there are the issues regarding China’s approach towards foreign policies. While a communist country, China sought to distinct itself, and perhaps even form its own identity as the genuine bearer of the communist ideology away from Soviet Union revisionism. Henry Kissinger writes that unlike many other communist states in eastern Europe whose leaders had come into power with assistance from Russia, China’s CCP party did not receive much assistance from Russia but came into power by defeating the Nationlist KuoMinTang party on its own. Thus it did not engender the same sort of allegiance that other communist countries had towards Russia. Its relationship with the Soviet Union was marked with a certain love-hate characteristics. The two were officially allies in the sense of their common idealogy. Yet, nationalistic interests such as border and territorial disputes soured relationship. For one, there was certain soreness at past unequal treaties that Czarist Russia had extracted from Qing dynasty China. It was at the height of Sino-Russian tension that Chinese leaders in the CCP began exploring playing the American Card by seeking rapprochement with America. This attitude was mirrored by America during the presidency of Nixon and his administration, of which Henry Kissinger was a part of.

I am not so sure what is the relationship amongst the various powers in today’s world. From an article that I had read, China seems to regard America as its principal enemy and ally, depending on the situation. A documentary that I had chanced upon the Chinese news channel CCTV had experts weighing in on the Ukraine Crisis in current times where western powers have applied sanctions on Russia after its annexation of Crimea. Russia has sought to counteract the economic impacts from these sanctions by developing stronger economic ties with China. What the expert opined that stuck out to me was how China would always wish to maintain good relationships with Russia so as to ensure its border security against Russia, as China shared a long border with Russia.

I suppose with strong and perhaps even antagonistic powers on all sides; Russia from the north, Japan in the east, India to the west, and American presence within the region, China is in a precarious position, and would seek to ensure good relationships with at least one or two powers in the region to ensure its safety.