Andrea Ghiselli has written an important book that addresses a wide range of issues in contemporary Chinese foreign policy. Relying on an impressive array of Chinese civilian and military writings in Protecting China's Interests Overseas, Ghiselli not only examines the emergence of Chinese security forces as a global presence, he also explains the interests that launched this development and the domestic processes that continue to shape Chinese policy.

After establishing the magnitude of Chinese military presence in Africa and the Middle East, Ghiselli examines the sources of this development. Whereas many observers associate China's military presence in the Middle East and Africa, including its naval and air facilities in Djibouti, with its reputed goal to become a global superpower, Ghiselli shows that the motivation was the vulnerability of Chinese civilians and economic enterprises in unstable countries. As the Chinese economy has gone global, its citizens and corporations are subject to terrorism, hostage taking, and domestic violence. The need to protect these interests has led to the “securitization” of Chinese foreign policy.

Chinese scholars and policy analysis have addressed the importance “non-traditional security,” “comprehensive security,” and “military operations other than war&