Chinese regionalism : the security dimension / edited by Richard H. Yang ... [and others].

1. Introduction: A Changing China and Asian-Pacific Security / Gerald Segal -- 2. Warlordism and Military Regionalism in China / Brantly Womack -- 3. Regionalism in China: The Role of the PLA / Ellis Joffe -- 4. Chinese Regional Forces as Political Actors / Michael D. Swaine -- 5. Profits Over Professionalism: The PLA's Economic Activities and the Impact on Military Unity / Tai-Ming Cheung -- 6. Chinese Regionalism and the PLA Air Force / Harlan W. Jencks -- 7. The PLA Navy and Regionalism / Peter Kien-hong Yu -- 8. The PLA and Regionalism: Explorations on the Roles of the Nanjing Military Region / Lijian Hong and J. Bruce Jacobs -- 9. The PLA and Regionalism in Fujian / Simon Long -- 10. The PLA in Guangdong Province: Warlordism and Localism / David S. G. Goodman -- 11. Sichuan Region: A Balance Sheet on its Status / Peter Kien-hong Yu, Andrew Nien-dzu Yang and Da-chi Liao -- 12. The PLA and Regionalism in Manchuria / Michael B. Yahuda -- 13. The PLA and Regionalism: Xinjiang / June Teufel Dreyer.

As China is poised to become a global economic force, its leadership is on the brink of imminent and potentially sweeping change. With Deng Xiaoping's demise seemingly at hand, the inevitable redistribution of power within this vast land has become a crucial concern for China and the world alike. How will China cope with this "changing of the guard"? Will a centralized government remain, or will the country break apart?

This comprehensive volume brings specialists from East and West together to assess the key issue of regionalism and its effect on shifting power in the PRC. Focusing specifically on the pivotal role of the People's Liberation Army, the contributors address a wide range of topics, including economic reform, the possible reprise of warlordism, and regional security, and they present a variety of case studies.