The concept of sovereignty -- Sovereignty in ancient China -- The emergence of modern sovereignty in the Late Qing Dynasty -- Nationalism in China -- Sovereignty and human rights in China -- China's contemporary perspective of sovereignty.

This book provides a comprehensive history of the emergence and the formation of the concept of sovereignty in China from the year 1840 to the present. It contributes to broadening the history of modern China by looking at the way the notion of sovereignty was gradually articulated by key Chinese intellectuals, diplomats and political figures in the unfolding of the history of international law in China, rehabilitates Chinese agency, and shows how China challenged Western Eurocentric assumptions about the progress of international law. It puts the history of international law in a global perspective, interrogating the widely-held belief of international law as universal order and exploring the ways in which its history is closely anchored to a European experience that fails to take into account how the encounter with other non-European realities has influenced its formation.

China’s rise has aroused apprehension that it will revise the current rules of international order to pursue and reflect its power, and that, in its exercise of State sovereignty, it is unlikely to comply with international law. This book explores the extent to which China’s exercise of State sovereignty since the Opium War has shaped and contributed to the legitimacy and development of international law and the direction in which international legal order in its current form may proceed. It examines how international law within a normative–institutional framework has moderated China’s exercise of State sovereignty and helps mediate differences between China’s and other States’ approaches to State sovereignty, such that State sovereignty, and international law, may be better understood.

The One-China Policy: State, Sovereignty, and Taiwan’s International Legal Status examines the issue from the perspective of international law, also suggesting a peaceful solution. The book presents two related parts, with the first detailing the concept of the State, the theory of sovereignty, and their relations with international law. The second part of the work analyzes the political status of the Republic of China in Taiwan and the legal status of the island of Taiwan in international law. Written by a leading international expert in international law, this book provides approaches and answers to the question of Taiwan and the One-China policy. Responds to a key international issue of our time Takes a legal perspective on Taiwan and the One-China policy Considers the definition of a nation State from first principles, also offering new definitions Applies international law on territory to draw conclusions on Taiwan and its relation to the People’s Republic of China Systematically critiques the role of the UN and other global actors in relation to Taiwan

At today's hearing, we will be exploring the concepts of sovereignty that are advanced by the Chinese government. In some circumstances, these concepts are at odds with interpretations of international law as understood by the United States and they also play a role in conflicting territorial claims between China and some its neighbors in Asia. Furthermore, the continuing advances in outer space exploration and use and in use of cyberspace raise questions regarding how sovereignty is defined in these critical realms of economic and information exchange and what are the rights of lawful international access. We hope that this hearing will add to the public dialogue on these issues, which I am confident will assume ever greater importance in the months and years ahead.

Is China always defensive about its sovereignty issues? Does China see sovereignty essentially as 'absolute,' 'Victorian,' or 'Westphalian?' Sow Keat Tok suggests that Beijing has a more nuanced and flexible policy towards 'sovereignty' than previously assumed. By comparing China's changing policy towards Taiwan and Hong Kong, the author relates the role of previous conceptions of the world order in China's conception of modern 'sovereignty', thereby uncovers Beijing's deepest concern when dealing with its sovereignty issues.

Kevin Lane discusses the tension existed between China's traditional claim to sovereignty over Hong Kong. He believes that on historical track record China has the capacity for flexibility on Hong Kong that would enable arrangements about its future to work successfully.