Historical Dictionary of Chinese Foreign Affairs

Lawrence R. Sullivan is a professor (emeritus) who taught at several institutions of higher learning, including Wellesley College, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio and Adelphi University, Garden City, New York. He is author and editor of several books including most recently Historical Dictionary of the Chinese Economy.Robert L. Paarlberg taught international relations and food policy at Wellesley College and is currently an adjunct professor at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University and a consultant to the International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington D.C.

The rise of China in economic power and international influence makes the Historical Dictionary of Chinese Foreign Affairs a timely resource for academic institutions and government organizations. The book comprises an informative introduction, an extremely detailed chronology organized into seven time periods, and a main dictionary section consisting of nearly 380 alphabetically arranged and cross-referenced entries. Its coverage expands from the second century BCE to the present, with a focus on the People’s Republic of China since its establishment in 1949 (especially after the Cultural Revolution from 1978 to 2018). The main entries consist of notable Chinese and foreign leaders relevant to Chinese foreign affairs, historical events, politics, social issues, national institutions, and major policies. The extensive bibliography, arranged topically in ten subject areas for easy access, covers publications by research institutes, universities, and commercial outlets and a listing of major journals, newspapers, and websites accessible on the internet. A helpful glossary and two appendixes on major leaders of the PRC and US complete the volume. The title is a valuable contribution to China and East Asian studies and is useful for the study of international affairs.Summing Up: Highly recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty and professionals.