This comprehensive volume traces the Chinese military and its experiences over the past 2,500 years, describing clashes with other kingdoms and nations as well as internal rebellions and revolutions. China has played an increasingly important role on the international stage in recent years. It is now well on its way to becoming a world superpower and a military juggernaut. Understanding the Chinese perspective on war, military strategy, and national security is now of critical importance?and examining China`s extensive military history can provide great insight into what the future may bring. As the first book of its kind, China at War: An Encyclopedia expands far beyond the conventional military history book that is focused on describing key wars, battles, military leaders, and influential events. Xiaobing Li-an expert writer in the subjects of Asian history and military affairs-provides not only a broad, chronological account of China`s long military history, but also addresses Chinese values, concepts, and attitudes regarding war. As a result, readers can better understand the wider sociopolitical history of the most populous and one of the largest countries in the world-and grasp the complex security concerns and strategic calculations often behind China`s decision-making process. This encyclopedia contains an introductory essay written to place the reference entries within a larger contextual framework, allowing students to compare Chinese with Western and American views and approaches to war. Topics among the hundreds of entries by experts in the field include Sunzi`s classic The Art of War, Mao Zedong`s guerrilla warfare in the 20th century, Chinese involvement in the Korean War and Vietnam War, and China`s nuclear program in the 21st century.
