Introduction and overview -- Patterns of American-Chinese relations prior to World War II -- Relations during World War II, civil war, cold war -- Rapprochement and normalization -- Tiananmen, Taiwan, and post-cold war realities, 1989-2000 -- Positive equilibrium and continued differences in the twenty-first century -- Enhanced competition tests enduring engagement -- Security issues in contemporary U.S.-China relations -- Economic and environmental issues in contemporary U.S.-China relations -- Taiwan issues in contemporary U.S.-China relations -- Issues of human rights in contemporary U.S.-China relations -- Outlook