CHINESE PERSPECTIVES ON ALLIANCE AND ALIGNMENT: ENTRAPMENT CONCERNS IN CHINA’S FOREIGN RELATIONS
Journal: Asian Affairs
Year: 2023

The article traces concerns about entrapment in Chinese thinking about foreign relations and how these concerns have resulted in a general rejection of alliances. The People's Republic of China was born with entrapment dilemmas vis-à-vis the Soviet Union that became real when Beijing was drawn into the Korean War at a time that did not suit Beijing's strategic interests. During the post-Cold War era, China's dialogue and coordination with NATO has given its leadership greater knowledge of the al