Summary of Henry Kissinger's On China

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 The Chinese have a paradox of their origins. They believe that they are eternal, and that their civilization has no beginning. They believe that they have always been living in the same stage of advancement as in the present day. #2 Chinese history is filled with periods of civil war, interregnum, and chaos. But each period of disunity was viewed as an aberration, and each new dynasty reached back to the previous dynasty’s principles of governance in order to reestablish continuity. #3 China was never required to deal with other countries or civilizations of comparable size and sophistication. The Chinese Empire never attempted to conquer any foreign countries, and when the Mongol Dynasty collapsed, the expeditions to Japan were never again attempted. #4 The Chinese were able to maintain their splendid isolation, and grew accustomed to the notion that China was unique. Chinese elites grew accustomed to the idea that China was a great civilization, and not just another country.