Recent efforts by Chinese academics to gain a better understanding of images of China in Japan and South Korea serve several purposes: to develop a new field of academic analysis; to justify policies and attitudes by exposing misinformation and the basis of erroneous views in critical neighboring states; and to offer guidance on how China can improve its image and its soft power. The authors are well informed. Some present excellent documentation. Their work is to be distinguished from the sensationalist writing on Japan and even, notably in 2008-2012, on South Korea, aimed at mobilizing public outrage. Yet, they straddle a fine line between scholarship on a high plain and partisanship serving leadership objectives. A look at four books gives us a basis for evaluating the contributions that are made and the balance achieved.

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