The Tree May Prefer Calm but the Wind Will Not Subside.

July 2017 saw the outbreak of yet another border conflict between India and China. It is therefore timely to review two books that deal with the border issues that China has with its neighbours. China is one of a few countries that have borders with many other states, most of which are small. To see how China has dealt with these small countries is relevant to the fact that China, being labelled as a communist dictatorial state, has often been perceived to be unpredictable and lacking transparency in its behaviour. The two books reviewed here may therefore surprise some readers. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]