American Policy Discourses on China

This book’s compelling analysis examines the narratives surrounding US-China relations from early American perspectives to the present day, revealing enduring perceptions of China that continue to significantly influence policy decisions.
Throughout its history, Americans have found China to be a captivating subject of study. In the nineteenth century, depictions of China amounted to an odd assortment of images that did not add up to a single cohesive vision. By the twentieth century, perceptions about China merged ancient philosophy with modern socialist ideals, knitted together Chinese mythological figures with modern-day political leaders, and amplified the exotic while minimizing the more mundane, evoking a spectrum of American passions, hopes, and fears. In the twenty-first century, this “odd assortment of images” continues to shape American perspectives on China.
The book offers a unique examination of the complex history of the modern world’s most important bilateral relationship. Through the lens of discourse analysis, it provides a fresh perspective, unveiling previously overlooked narratives, illuminating the dynamics between these global powerhouses, and suggesting pathways for the future.