The Fire of the Dragon

China's Ambitions and the New World Disorder

Ian Williams on the rise of Chinese power and its global consequences

About the Ebook

Shortlisted for the Orwell Prize

As seen in The Times, Sunday Times, Spectator, and on Tonight with Andrew Marr (LBC)

Under President Xi Jinping, China's global ambitions have taken a dangerous new turn. Bullying and intimidation have replaced diplomacy. Trade and investment, even big-spending tourists and students, have been weaponised. Beijing has strengthened its alliance with Vladimir Putin, supporting Russia's aggression in Ukraine, and brooks no criticism of its own flagrant human rights violations against the Uyghur population in western China.

Leaders in the West say they don't want a cold war with China, but it's a little late for that. Beijing is already waging a more complex, broader and more dangerous cold war than the old one with the Soviet Union. And it is intensifying.

This thought-provoking and alarming book examines this new cold war's many fronts - from Taiwan and the South China Sea to the Indian frontier, the Arctic and cyberspace. In doing so it proclaims the clear and sobering message that we must open our eyes to the reality of China's rise and its ruthless bid for global dominance.

Why You'll Love This Ebook

• Understand the strategic ambitions reshaping global politics today
• Learn how China's rise is challenging the post-war international order
• Engage with sharp, well-informed geopolitical analysis
• Read another celebrated title from Birlinn Ltd - Independent Scottish Publisher

Reviews

'This well respected journalist lays out a compelling case for why successive policies towards China have been unhelpful and how we are all going to be affected more dramatically by issues emanating from the country' Times

'Absolutely fascinating' Andrew Marr (LBC)

'An essential read for anybody who wants to understand the foreign policy of modern-day China, and in particular the role and goals of China's leader Xi Jinping … A fascinating book, a really good read' Phil Harding, journalist and broadcaster

About the Author

Ian Williams was foreign correspondent for Channel 4 News, based in Russia (1992–1995) and then Asia (1995–2006). He then joined NBC News as Asia Correspondent (2006–2015), when he was based in Bangkok and Beijing. As well as reporting from China over the last 25 years, he has also covered conflicts in the Balkans, the Middle East and Ukraine. He won an Emmy and BAFTA awards for his discovery and reporting on the Serb detention camps during the war in Bosnia. He is currently a doctoral student in the War Studies department at King’s College, London, focusing on cyber issues.

Publication Details

Publisher: Birlinn Ltd

Publication Date: 04 August 2022

Print Length: 368 pages (Ebook edition)

ISBN (Ebook): 9781788855143

Format: Ebook

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