The People’s Republic of China (PRC) is today more secure against foreign military attack than at any time since 1949. Yet its leaders have grown increasingly concerned about internal security challenges and their possible links to external threats. This concern about linked internal and external security challenges is not new. But over the past seven decades the perceived connections have evolved along with China’s grand strategy.

Avery Goldstein is David M. Knott Professor of Global Politics and International Relations, Director of Center for the Study of Contemporary China, and Associate Director of the Christopher H. Browne Center for International Politics at the University of Pennsylvania. Goldstein’s research focuses on international relations, security studies, and Chinese politics. His books include "Rising to the Challenge: China’s Grand Strategy and International Security" (2005) and "The Nexus of Economics, Security, and International Relations in East Asia" (2012, co-edited with Edward D. Mansfield). His articles have appeared in International Security, Foreign Affairs, International Organization, the Journal of Strategic Studies, China Quarterly, Asian Survey, Comparative Politics, Orbis, Security Studies, and other journals.