ASIAN WATERS

Everyone knows that today China is flexing its muscles as a world power, but this is expressed most forcefully in what it regards as its own backyard, the South China Sea, where it is increasingly coming into conflict with other lesser regional powers. China rejects all other territorial claims in the region over various groups of disputed islands (including adjudication against it in the World Court), and is seeking to further its presence and rights by the construction of artificially created military bases, islands created from nothing. These very physical representations of their military power, both naval and airborne, back up China's increasingly self-confident assertion of its role in the face of all comers, and will inevitably place it in conflict with the US, which has long seen its role as being naval policeman in the region.

Humphrey Hawksley is a long-standing and deeply-respected BBC foreign correspondent who has worked in the region for many years. I am attaching herewith the Overlook information sheet, full text, the alternative jacket being used in the UK and a long list of advance praise from various influential figures. There will also be a colour plate section in the book, for publishers to use as they see fit, in which I understand all rights have been cleared.