At War with China?

Sound Bite

Western policy toward China amounts to a "cold" war that is heating up rapidly, bringing us closer to a devastating conflict. The author examines the provocations over Taiwan and the South China Sea, economic sanctions amounting to economic warfare, and the broader challenge of competing for resources in the Global South.The book also highlights examples from the US–Soviet contest to remind us how severely such misguided Western actions impact other countries who are not even direct participants in the conflict.

About the Book

Western policy toward China amounts to a "cold" war that is heating up rapidly, bringing us closer to a devastating conflict. The author examines the provocations over Taiwan and the South China Sea, economic sanctions amounting to economic warfare, and the broader challenge of competing for resources in the Global South. This book shows exactly how Western actions are adding fuel to the fire.

Various conflict scenarios are explained in detail, from a direct military clash over Taiwan to economic war, superpower competition in the Global South, and information warfare. The book is written in an engaging style, for all readers with an interest in history, politics, and international affairs. The book presents information not found within the mainstream, and by doing so, presents readers with new ways of understanding these very important developments.

Exploring the New Geopolitical Tensions: Wouter Hoenderdaal offers an insightful analysis of the political, economic, and military strategies driving what many fear could escalate into a modern Cold War. He examines the historical roots of the U.S.-China relationship, the current dynamics at play, and the global ramifications of this superpower rivalry.

The Historical Backdrop: Hoenderdaal begins by providing a thorough exploration of the U.S.-China relationship from its inception to the present day. He contextualizes the ideological divides, trade partnerships, and historical events that have shaped the nations' interactions, from the Cold War era to China’s rise as an economic powerhouse. By understanding this history, readers gain valuable insight into how the current tensions developed.

Economic Competition or Confrontation?: Central to this narrative is the economic competition that has placed the U.S. and China on opposing sides of global markets. The book examines critical topics such as the trade war, intellectual property disputes, and China’s Belt and Road Initiative, revealing how economic policies have become tools of influence and confrontation. Hoenderdaal explores the implications for global trade, innovation, and the balance of economic power.

Military Maneuvering and Strategic Postures: The book investigates the growing military posturing between the two nations, including the U.S. pivot to Asia, military exercises in the South China Sea, and China’s expanding naval presence. Hoenderdaal provides a detailed account of how these developments contribute to the narrative of a looming Cold War.

The Role of Alliances and Global Influence: Hoenderdaal highlights the importance of alliances and international influence in this superpower rivalry. U.S. partnerships with China’s neighbors, including Japan, Australia, and India are considered, as well as China’s efforts to strengthen ties with nations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The global chessboard is laid out, showing how the actions of these two giants affect geopolitics worldwide.

What Lies Ahead?: The author presents scenarios for the future of U.S.-China relations. Will the two nations find a way to coexist peacefully, or are they destined for prolonged confrontation? He suggests pathways for diplomacy, emphasizing the importance of mutual understanding and global cooperation in averting conflict.

A Critical Analysis: With meticulous research and balanced perspectives, At War with China? will help readers understand the complexities of modern geopolitics. The clear and compelling writing makes the book accessible to both scholars and general readers interested in international relations, economics, and security studies.

Table content

In the chapters that follow, the different types of conflict between the United States and China are discussed. This includes military conflict, covert (secret) operations, economic war, and information warfare. Actions from both sides are described, but with an emphasis on how Western acts will result in escalation and war, and how, in some cases, they already are.Chapter 1 lays out how we got there.Chapter 2 focuses on the U.S. military approach towards China and Taiwan. An important theme is Washington’s attempt to surround and “contain” China with hundreds of military bases.Chapter 3 dives into the realm of economic and technological warfare. The South China Sea is at the center of China’s trade, which is why Beijing is busy building up military installations on a series of artificially created islands. Meanwhile, American strategists are thinking of sending in the U.S. Navy to blockade key waterways to choke off China’s economic lifelines.Chapter 4 explores the global nature of the emerging U.S.–China Cold War. In the Global South, both the United States and China are hoping to install governments obedient and loyal to their cause. The likely outcome will be brutal civil wars.Chapter 5. The last dimension of the brewing Cold War is information warfare, waged via elaborate media and information systems. One is state-owned, the other private; yet they produce remarkably similar news. Both sides produce and spread information that supports their government’s actions. In fact, Western news organizations have a long history of working together with their governments, helping to justify and support Western wars. But what would happen if you were to step outside of this media bubble? Would you see the world and the U.S.–China Cold War differently? And will it help you to understand what is really going on?Finally, Chapter 6 explains Washington’s endgame. What do U.S. officials want from China? The answer is surprisingly simple.