This book argues that it is imperative to look beyond the empirical observations and conventional materialist reading of Chinese military development to understand its dynamics and directions in doctrinal terms.

Ka Po Ng is an associate professor at Aichi Bunkyo University, Japan. He has received academic distinctions and scholarships from the Australian Commonwealth Government, University of Queensland, Australian National University and the University of Hong Kong. Dr Ng has published on Chinese politics and international relations.

Chapter 1 Introduction; Chapter 2 Military Doctrine, Military Readiness and Military Power; Chapter 3 The Genesis of the Chinese Local War Doctrine; Chapter 4 Towards a Local War Doctrine; Chapter 5 The Advent of Local War; Chapter 6 'High-Technology Local Wars' and Beyond; Chapter 7 Conclusion;