Overview

Chen examines China's unwavering foreign policy toward North Korea, Taiwan, and Mongolia, challenging conventional international relations theory. He introduces ‘buffer thinking’—a geopolitical mentality driving China to secure peripheral territories against potential rivals regardless of global power shifts. Drawing from extensive historical evidence spanning decades, this book demonstrates how buffer thinking functions as an intervening variable that mediates the effects of systemic polarity changes on state behavior. The analysis reveals how this defensive mindset—synthesizing geographical sensitivity, threat perception, and traumatic historical memories—creates a security perimeter extending beyond China's borders. By blending realist perspectives with constructivist insights, it offers a nuanced theoretical framework explaining why China's behavior toward these three states remains ‘territorially conditional.’ This is essential reading for international relations scholars and students of geopolitics seeking fresh analytical approaches to buffer state dynamics. It is also a valuable resource for policymakers and diplomats engaged with East Asian security issues who need insights into China's strategic calculations in contemporary great power competition.

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9781041061557

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Reviews

‘This book is a timely examination into the role of buffers in Chinese strategic tradition. It is a brilliant study that shows us the ‘how’ and ‘why’ behind China’s self-conceptualization of its geopolitical safe space. Chen tells the story of how China gauges the strategically optimal extent of its geopolitical ambition historically. This is a must-read for anyone who is interested in China's geopolitical reach today -- and tomorrow. A marvelous contribution to the literature on Chinese foreign policy and strategic tradition.’ Wen-Ti Sung, Nonresident Fellow, The Atlantic Council – Global China Hub, Australia ‘Yu-Hua Chen’s “Buffer Thinking” makes an important contribution to our understanding of PRC foreign policy by analyzing the geopolitical vulnerability of China in three areas: Taiwan, North Korea, and Mongolia. He shows how China has historically treated these three areas as “buffer states,” to address the possibility of external security threats.’ Peter Van Ness, Australian National University, Australia

Author Information

Yu-Hua Chen is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of International Liberal Arts at Akita International University, Japan.

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