The Chinese state at the borders

"The People's Republic of China claims 22,000 kilometres of land borders and 18,000 kilometres of coast line. How did this vast country come into being? The state credo describes an ancient process of cultural expansion, where border peoples gratefully accepted Chinese high culture. But why has the 'centre' so often been compelled to maintain control over its border regions? The essays in this volume look at this relationship over a long time span, questioning whether the process of expansion was a benevolent civilizing mission."--Page 4 of cover.