China, the UN, and Human Protection

Rosemary Foot, a distinguished scholar of China and of human rights, has written an important new book on China's approach to human protection at and within the United Nations (UN). This succinctly argued account builds upon her decades of scholarship on these topics; the result is what one reviewer terms "essential reading for policy and scholarly audiences alike. * Sarah B. Snyder, American University, Washington DC, H-Diplo *
Rosemary Foot was among the first Western scholars to write systematically about the evolving relationship between the People's Republic and the UN and this book is both timely and prescient. It is timely because it explains their complex relationship especially well, locating the particularities of Chinese positions on peacekeeping, the Responsibility to Protect (R2P), women, peace and security, the crisis in Syria, and the UN's human rights institutions in historical and political context. It is prescient because Foot's compelling explanation of where those positions have come from tell us much about where they - and the UN itself - might be heading. * Alex Bellamy, University of Queensland, Brisbane, H-Diplo *
At a time when China's rise is routinely framed as a challenge to the Western-dominated liberal order and a precursor to a possible armed conflict with the United States, Rosemary Foot offers us a sophisticated analysis of China's views and conduct on the international stage. Focusing on the topic of human protection, she provides a rich and nuanced account of both the continuities and changes in Beijing's policies in this area and its evolving relationship with the United Nations and its peacekeeping and humanitarian missions. * Steve Chan, University of Colorado, Boulder, H-Diplo *
The impeccable timing of Foot's analysis only underscores what a sorely needed corrective she offers to an emerging conventional wisdom of China's almost unfettered ascendancy of the UN system. Her nuanced account of China's behavior in the United Nations vis-à-vis human protection is a significant contribution to policy and academic debates on China's multilateral rise. .... Foot's latest book will surely be essential reading for policy and scholarly audiences alike and is a major contribution to our understanding of China's evolving role in multilateral politics. * Courtney Fung, University of MacQuarie, Sydney, H-Diplo *
With admirable clarity, Foot makes the case that Chinese policy vis-à-vis human protection is a product of a regime that is not only increasingly self-conscious of its status and responsibilities as a great power but also increasingly confident within multilateral fora, and no longer hesitant to champion its own particular worldview. * Timothy Donais, International Peacekeeping *
It will be essential reading not only for those interested in Chinese foreign policy or the UN's humanitarian agenda, but also for those concerned with the evolving international order. It will also aid decision-makers' and activists' understanding of the obstacles faced in promoting a global humanitarian agenda. * Zheng Chen, Fudan University, Global Responsibility to Protect *
The rigour and focus that Foot dedicates to the analysis of human protectionpolicy areas makes this work a key reference for academics and practitioners.Overall, her book also makes an important contribution to understanding China as a participant in shaping global order and norms. * Emily Venturi, International Affairs *
...innovative and insightful...an important contribution to understanding China as a participant in shaping global order and norms. * Emily Venturi, International Affairs *
At the center of Rosemary Foot's brilliant study of China in the United Nations is a puzzle that is as difficult to understand as it is worth wrestling with. * Joseph Fewsmith, Perspectives on Politics *
In an era of growing competition between China and the West, Foot offers a grand illumination of the normative battlefield. * G. John Ikenberry, Foreign Affairs *
Recommended. * Z. Zhu, Bucknell University, CHOICE *
Explores China's engagement with the concept of human protection and the policy dilemmas that it poses, focusing on Beijing's ideological beliefs and its image in world politics. * Journal of Economic Literature (Volume 59, no. 1) *
empirical grounding and rigorous theoretical approaches are vital within increasingly politicized debates on China's role in world order and governance issues—and Rosemary Foot delivers just that...The rigour and focus that Foot dedicates to the analysis of human protection policy areas makes this work a key reference for academics and practitioners. Overall, her book also makes an important contribution to understanding China as a participant in shaping global order and norms. * Chatham House, UK *
China's rise as an economic power has been accompanied by increased anxiety over what role it will play in reinforcing or challenging global order. Rosemary Foot tackles this crucial question head on by analyzing Chinese responses to one of the most controversial areas of contemporary global policy-making: the effort to widen the rubric of international peace and security to emphasize human protection.This pathbreaking book is essential reading not only for those interested in Chinese foreign policy, peacekeeping, and policy agendas such as the 'responsibility to protect', but also for those concerned with the broader trajectory of the liberal international order. * Jennifer Welsh, Canada 150 Chair in Global Governance and Security, McGill University *
At a time when many commentators make simplistic statements about China and the 'liberal order', Rosemary Foot's book reminds us that when one actually does theoretically informed and sophisticated empirical research, as she does here, one learns much more about the complexities, trade-offs, and scope conditions under which China influences, and is influenced by, international norms. This is an excellent study, the go-to analysis of China's approach to human protection. * Alastair Iain Johnston, Professor of Government, Harvard University *
For those who seek to advance the protection of human rights through the intergovernmental mechanisms and peace operations of the United Nations, the constraints on cooperation applied by an increasingly assertive China are today of paramount importance. Rosemary Foot's deep research and clear analysis of China's attitudes and actions across the range of UN activities offer invaluable insights to practitioners. * Ian Martin, former Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General *
The work is timely and significant because of a number of reasons...The book is useful for students of international relations, especially those rooted in Chinese and Asia Pacific studies. It is useful for readers exploring the rules-based international order, humanitarian contexts, civilian protection instruments, and norms within the UN system. Foot's work helps us understand human protection complexities and helps us foresee China's vigorous capabilities. The work shows readers the dynamism of international governance and development today. * Nik Delfin, Philippine Political Science Journal *