The concept of a Greater China has been deployed every time there is a crisis in China, whether that crisis is economic, political, or a discussion about Chinese identity. This phenomenon fits into the Chinese word "weiji" meaning that whenever there is danger there is an opportunity. Under each leader in Beijing there has been a crisis, the most concrete example was the incident in 1999 in which NATO planes bombed the Chinese mission in Belgrade. The destruction of the building and killing of Chinese employees provoked the revival of Greater China and a massive outpouring of public protests. What is Greater China? The author William A. Callahan is a senior lecturer of international politics and director of the Center for Contemporary Chinese studies at the University of Durham, England. He takes you into a wide-ranging discussion of the concept, relying heavily Confucian principles to explain the behavior of Chinese leaders as well as those in neighboring countries. The Koreas, Japan and Taiwan are countries where Confucian values have been appreciated throughout much of their national histories.

It is interesting to learn that those centuries-old Confucian values are being applied to present-day political discussions. Some authors before Callahan have said that Greater China involves the expanding economies of China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, and the cultural, scientific and intellectual contacts among the Chinese people spreading throughout the Asia. China's growing economic power is considered a threat to its neighbors, which is exemplified by the conflict across the Taiwan Strait. But whenever there is threat and danger, there is opportunity. Taiwan is using its newly obtained democracy and economic miracle to try to convert the mainland into a democratic society. This is an illustration of the word weiji. On the other hand, China would use the Hong Kong formula of "one country, two systems" to integrate Taiwan into the Greater China even if it would involve the use of force if Taiwan declares independence. The DPP victory in elections in Taiwan has made the issues of unification more critical for the Chinese leadership. Callahan draws the attention to the working relationship between civilization and barbarism, applying an event that was told during the time of Confucius. Confucius decided one day to visit a group of bandits. But his disciples protested. Confucius then said that bandits would change and become more civilized in his presence. Would a democratic Taiwan one day change China for the better is a question often asked. Callahan points out also that mainland China has a 5,000-year-old civilization and its rise to become a great power can be interpreted in terms of philosophy and international relations.

"A rising China, therefore, will not be limited to its own territory, but will assume the regional and global responsibilities of a great power alongside other, greater powers: the US, the European Union, Japan and Russia," he says.

Taiwan and the Korean peninsula are currently the two flash points in East Asia with a history dating back to the time of the Cold War. Callahan says the cross-strait conflict is sometimes simplified by scholars. They say either Taiwan is a successful democratic and capitalistic state being threatened by China, or it is China that is simply guarding its sovereignty against the runaway Taiwan. When the DPP took power in Taiwan in 2000 and again in 2004, the potential for violence became more evident between the two sides. Here again, the author is making use of Confucian principles to offer solutions to problems between China and its neighbors. One of those principles is friendship. China has signed numerous treaties of friendship with many countries. Taiwan has also signed those treaties with other countries even though they are a smaller group.

In conclusion, Callahan says the Taiwan Strait represents the greatest threat of violence in East Asia with China refusing to give up its right as a sovereign nation to use force to resolve its conflict with Taiwan. The democratization of Taiwan seems to provoke that violence. Confucius can offer a way out through friendship: China and Taiwan should recognize each other in face-to-face encounters. This would help define the form of Greater China, Callahan says.