This book analyses the mindset with which China enters into negotiations, and applies these insights into contemporary arenas of Chinese activity around the world.

The volume presents and analyses the historical and cultural foundations of Chinese thinking as used in the practice of present-day negotiation. It begins by addressing the essence of Chinese negotiations and the Chinese mindset, turning to a section that presents the cultural foundations of that mindset and strategy. The concepts of Confucianism, Taoism, Yin-Yan and Chinese military strategy are highlighted. The cases of the Belt-and-Road and the South and East China Seas are examined to show the application of these concepts, with one addressing business and economic negotiations and the other examining cases of negotiation in geopolitics. Finally, a synthesis of what has been learned is presented, which will contribute to negotiation theory and ultimately will help Western practitioners contemplating negotiation with Chinese diplomats and businesses, as well as being a basis for policy analysts’ understanding of Chinese practices in international relations.

This book will be of much interest to students of international negotiation, foreign policy, business studies and International Relations, as well as practitioners and policymakers.