Prior to arriving at the University of Denver, Zhao was an associate professor of political science at
Washington College and an associate professor of East Asian politics at
Colby College. He received both a bachelor's and master's degree in economics from
Peking University, and subsequently completed a second master's degree in sociology from the
University of Missouri. Zhao earned his
PhD in political science from the
University of California, San Diego.[3]
Analysis
Zhao contends that since 2008, China has become increasingly assertive in foreign affairs, particularly in its relations with the United States, Europe, and Asia-Pacific countries.[6]: 15 Zhao attributes this increased assertiveness in part to China's efforts to restore itself from a self-perceived position of victimhood in international affairs.[6]: 15
Publications
Monographs
The Dragon Roars Back: Transformational Leaders and Dynamics of Chinese Foreign Policy (2023)
A Nation-State by Construction: Dynamics of Modern Chinese Nationalism (2004)
Power Competition in East Asia: From the Old Chinese World Order to Post-cold War Regional Multipolarity (1998, St. Martin's Press)
Power by Design: Constitution-Making in Nationalist China (1995)
Edited volumes
The Making of China's Foreign Policy in the 21st century: Historical Sources, Institutions/Players, and Perceptions of Power Relations (2018)
China’s Big Power Ambition under Xi Jinping: Narratives and Driving Forces (2021)
China’s Global Reach: The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Volume II (2020)
China’s New Global Strategy: The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Volume I (2019)
Chinese Authoritarianism in the Information Age: Internet, Media, and Public Opinion (2019)
Debating Regime Legitimacy in Contemporary China: Popular Protests and Regime Performances (2018)
China in Africa: Strategic Motives and Economic Interests (2017)
Construction of Chinese Nationalism in the Early 21st Century: Domestic Sources and International Implications (2014)
China’s Search for Energy Security: Domestic Sources and International Implications (2014)
China and East Asian Regionalism: Economic and Security Cooperation and Institution-Building (2012)
China and the United States: Cooperation and Competition in Northeast Asia (2008)
China-US Relations Transformed: Perspectives and Strategic Interactions (2007)
Debating Political Reform in China: Rule of Law versus Democratization (2006, M.E.Sharpe)
Chinese Foreign Policy: Pragmatism and Strategic Behavior (2003, M.E.Sharpe)
China and Democracy: Reconsidering the Prospects for a Democratic China (2000)
Across the Taiwan Strait: Mainland China, Taiwan, and the Crisis of 1995-96 (1999)
Co-edited volumes
Decision-making in Deng's China: Perspectives from Insiders (Studies on Contemporary China (M.E. Sharpe Paperback)) (2019)
Grassroots Elections in China (2014)
In Search of China’s Development Model: Beyond the Beijing Consensus (2011)
Articles
"From Affirmative to Assertive Patriots: Nationalism in Xi Jinping’s China." The Washington Quarterly44.4 (2021): 141-161.
"Rethinking the Chinese World Order: The Imperial Cycle and the Rise of China." Journal of Contemporary China 24.96 (2015): 961-982.
"Foreign Policy Implications of Chinese Nationalism Revisited: The Strident Turn." Journal of Contemporary China 22.82 (2013): 535-553.
"The China Model: Can It Replace the Western Model of Modernization?." Journal of Contemporary China 19.65 (2010): 419-436.
"China’s Global Search for Energy Security: Cooperation and Competition in Asia–Pacific." Journal of Contemporary China 17.55 (2008): 207-227.
"China's Pragmatic Nationalism: Is It Manageable?." The Washington Quarterly 29.1 (2005): 131-144.