THE SINO-SOVIET TERRITORIAL DISPUTE

by Tai Sung An ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 19, 1973

Only the most diligent Foggy Bottom-types will seek out this essay. Withal, it has the merit of being capably researched; An recapitulates the historical background of the numerous boundary conflicts from the 17th century to the well publicized Ussuri River encounters of 1969, impartially summarizing the position of each of the disputants. The current situation is viewed as ""fundamentally irreconcilable"": any kind of modus vivendi would be considered ""a shameful defeat"" by either side. An also speculates that both the Chinese and Soviet leadership might be using the controversy to solidify internal political support via the monstrous-enemy-abroad ploy -- ""Both Peking and Moscow seem to want the fruits of war against each other without war itself."" Based on this assumption, An estimates the chances of a Sino-Soviet war during the next decade at ""only one in ten -- assuming that Mao is physically durable enough to live this much longer."" Various border agreements (like the Nerchinsk Treaty of 1689) are reproduced and appended.

Pub Date: March 19, 1973

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Westminster

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1973

Categories: NONFICTION