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Book cover of China's Civilian Army: The Making of Wolf Warrior Diplomacy by Peter Martin

China's Civilian Army

The Making of Wolf Warrior Diplomacy

By Peter Martin

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About China's Civilian Army

Peter Martin examines China’s diplomats as an institution shaped by party discipline, national ambition, and changing expectations of the country’s global role.

The book traces the development of the diplomatic corps and the emergence of the combative style often called wolf-warrior diplomacy.

It complements On China by bringing the discussion of strategy down to the people and institutional practices through which foreign policy is carried out.

Why I include it

I recommend Martin’s readable account as context for the increasingly public, nationalistic conduct of Chinese diplomacy.

Collection 03 · Read 2

China Ascendant

Move from broad historical context to the people and institutions that conduct China’s diplomacy.

What to look for while reading

How do institutional incentives and domestic expectations shape conduct abroad? Compare diplomatic language with the constraints behind it.

Perspective & context

I brought these books together to compare perspectives and develop judgment. No single author has the final word.

Key themes

  • Chinese diplomacy
  • Institutions
  • Wolf Warrior diplomacy

Praise & Reviews

“a masterful retelling of modern Chinese history through the lens of China's diplomats”
— Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian, Axios

Review source — Opens in a new window.