Zhou Enlai and the Foundations of Chinese Foreign Policy is the first comprehensive survey of China's foreign relations from 1949-1976 to focus on the significant role Zhou Enlai played in the negotiations. Kuo-kang Shao explores Zhou Enlai's early education, the way in which it formed his world view, and the way in which it later influenced his conduct of Chinese diplomatic relations.

Looking at relations with the United States, the former USSR, and Third World countries, as well as at Zhou Enlai's negotiating skills, Zhou Enlai and the Foundations of Chinese Foreign Policy finally explains some of the most important and persistent factors, other than political ideology, that have shaped China's foreign policy decisions.

Zhou Enlai and the Foundations of Chinese Foreign Policy is a timely and important piece of work that will be indispensable to students of international relations and Chinese foreign policy.