David C. Kang, a professor at the Korean Studies Institute at USC and co-author of "Beyond Power Transitions," explores how imperial China's history informs current East Asian geopolitics. He discusses the concept of great power peace in East Asia compared to Europe’s conflicts. Kang delves into the implications of historical interactions, why certain territories were conquered while others were not, and the potential for avoiding war in the Taiwan Strait. He also examines contemporary responses to China's rise and challenges the inevitability of a U.S.-China conflict.

David C. Kang, a USC professor and co-author of "Beyond Power Transitions," explores the complexities of war and peace in East Asia, highlighting how historical interactions among China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam challenge Eurocentric theories of international relations. He argues that many conflicts stem from internal dynamics rather than external aggression. Kang also critiques the notion of the 'Thucydides trap' in U.S.-China relations and emphasizes the importance of understanding longstanding regional stability alongside the continuous influence of historical legacies in shaping modern conflicts.