Chapter One. Modern Transformation of Chinese Territoriality -- Territoriality -- Historical China -- Sovereignty -- Transformation -- Chapter Two. China's Central Asian Identity -- Chinese Nationalism -- Frontier Nationalism -- Failure of Containment -- Chapter Three. Resume China's Korean Connection -- Illusive Greatness -- Abortive Partnership -- Elusive Contingencies -- Chapter Four. Recast China's Role in Vietnam -- "Big Brother" -- Options -- Drifting -- Chapter Five. Reassert Chinese Authority in a Frontier -- "Mongolian Question" -- "International Conspiracy" -- "Restoration" -- Chapter Six. "National Question" with Chinese Characteristics -- Bolshevism in China -- Revolutionary Independence -- Interethnic Contact -- Two Wings of Nationalism -- Chapter Seven. Solve Rubik's Cube in the Steppes -- Bloc, National, and Ethnic Politics -- National and Frontier Priorities -- Autonomy as Rebellion -- Chapter Eight. Break the Vicious Circle along the Himalayas -- Reverse a Verdict -- Convert the Dalai Lama -- Reform Tibet, or Not -- "Let Them Go" -- Chapter Nine. The United States and Frontier China -- European and Asian "Minorities" -- "Chinese Unification" -- China's "Three Corners" -- Politics of "Color" and "Shape" -- Chapter Ten. Mongolia between Beijing and Moscow -- From Party to State -- Old and New "Kitchen" -- American Wedge -- Mongolian Crack -- Chapter Eleven. Cold and Hot Wars along the Himalayas -- Second Cold War Front -- Covert Operations -- From Friends to Foes -- From Comrades to Adversaries.