Fravel, Taylor. 2019. Active Defense: China’s Military Strategy since 1949. Princeton University Press, 396 pp. $ 24.95 (Paperback)

Irrespective of the historical period, there are always events of central importance which shape trends in international relations. Around them formed systems, paradigms, contours of rivalry, often turning into wars. Sometimes, periods of peaceful coexistence occur. According to numerous political scientists, such an event is the growing rivalry between the United States and China. Particular prerequisites for the growing tension were noticeable even during the presidency of Barack Obama. During Donald Trump’s mandate in the White House, the totality of contradictions reached a red line, which resulted in further tightening of their relations. Under the current US President, Joseph Biden, US – Chinese relations have reached, perhaps, a certain point, after which we can almost talk about an open confrontation on multiple fields, such as the trade, economy, technology, cyberspace, human rights, the military and geopolitics.