In this revisionist history of the eighteenth-century Qing Empire froma maritime perspective, Ronald C. Po argues that it is reductive to viewChina over this period exclusively as a continental power with littleinterest in the sea. With a coastline of almost 14,500 kilometers, the Qingwas not a landlocked state. Although it came to be known as aninward-looking empire, Po suggests that the Qing was integrated into themaritime world through its naval development and customsinstitutionalization. In contrast to our orthodox perception, the Manchucourt, in fact, deliberately engaged with the ocean politically, militarily,and even conceptually. 'The Blue Frontier' offers a much broader picture ofthe Qing as an Asian giant responding flexibly to challenges and extensiveinteraction on all frontiers - both land and sea - in the long eighteenthcentury.--Jacket.