'At the Edge of Empire' traces China's history through Edward Wong's family

New York Times diplomatic correspondent Edward Wong explores the evolution of modern China through the lens of his father’s transition from a patriotic military recruit to a disillusioned emigrant. The narrative centers on his father’s early devotion to the Communist Party, including marching before Mao Zedong and joining the Air Force during the Korean War, contrasted against his eventual flight to the United States following the trauma of the Great Chinese Famine and the Cultural Revolution. Wong argues that American discourse often mistakenly conflates the actions of the Chinese government with the attitudes of its citizens, who frequently harbor a deep sense of national pride and a desire for China to reclaim its historical status as a great power. While addressing mutual suspicions of military hostility, Wong emphasizes that ordinary Chinese motivations often mirror American aspirations, necessitating a nuanced understanding of the intense geopolitical rivalry between the two nations.