This book is the first of its kind to probe into the Chinese mindset to see how they perceive international relations, based on primary sources, interviews, and field research in Beijing. It analyses the four factors of power, Marxism, culture, and modernisation which help to shape the Chinese thinking on international relations.

It explores the Chinese understanding of the state, sovereignty, and international system, discusses the major issues of conflict, peace, and development; and examines the pros and cons of the development of an 'international relations theory with Chinese characteristics'. Finally it assesses the problems and prospects of the development of international studies in China, pointing out that the major obstacle is a structural system dominated by the Chinese Communist Party.