Nadège Rolland, a renowned expert on Chinese strategic issues and author of Mapping China's Strategic Space, offers insights into China’s geopolitical landscape. She discusses the formation of mental maps by Chinese strategists, historical perspectives from Mao, and the implications of perceived encirclement by the U.S. The conversation also touches on China's Arctic ambitions, the Belt and Road Initiative, and the delicate balance of asserting regional power while avoiding overextension. Rolland's analysis reveals the complexities shaping China's global aspirations.