China's Civilian Army

The author makes extensive use of Chinese language documents; particularly interesting are the memoirs of retired Chinese diplomats used by him. They provide an insight into the inside of Chinese diplomacy. * Huibert de Man, China 2025 *
China's Civilian Army is based on Martin's experiences as a reporter in China, as well as dozens of interviews with current and former diplomats in Beijing, Washington and London. Furthermore, it draws on the memoirs of more than 100 retired Chinese diplomats. This is indeed a remarkable achievement. * FALK HARTIG, Europe-Asia Studies *
Martin's effort to complement his narrative history with biographical and autobiographical source material about ordinary diplomats is highly commendable. * Steven Langendonk, International Affairs *
... readable and entertaining book... * Jeremy Rees, NZ Listener *
Fascinating and engrossing, China's Civilian Army sheds new light on the inner workings of Chinese foreign policy. Absolutely required reading for anyone who needs to deal with China or seeks to understand its rise. * Kurt Campbell, White House Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific and author of The Pivot: The Future of American Statecraft in Asia *
There's never been a more important time to understand the motivations that drive Chinese diplomacy. Peter Martin's superb book delves into the history of China's diplomatic corps in way that sheds new light on the nature of Chinese power today. It should become required reading for anyone who hopes to understand Chinese foreign policy. * Stephen J. Hadley, Former US National Security Advisor *
Peter Martin has decoded Chinese diplomacy in this fascinating and carefully researched study. He describes how China's foreign service evolved with the country from humble revolutionary beginnings—and became a voice for a new, rising China whose self-confidence sometimes borders on arrogance. Martin's book explains how China learned to talk like a global superpower. * David Ignatius, Associate Editor and Columnist, The Washington Post *
Martin's book is an absolute marvel—a penetrating portrait of China's political psychology, based on rich, insider accounts that hardly any foreigners have accessed. Entertaining, learned, and immediately useful, this is nothing short of a how-to manual for understanding China's strategy in the world. * Evan Osnos, staff writer, The New Yorker, and winner of the National Book Award *
The United States simply cannot outcompete China without outcompeting its diplomats and economic influence in Asia and around the world. Martin's book skillfully captures the steely determination of China to secure its interests abroad, demonstrating the challenges facing the US and its partners and underscoring the criticality of working together to develop more coordinated approaches to China across the board. * Michèle Flournoy, former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and Co-Founder of WestExec Advisors *