Sunzi, the Military Classics, and the Chinese way of war by punishment: A strategically defensive and tactically offensive strategic culture

This article examines Sunzi’s Art of War and the other six Military Classics that together form the main corpus of China’s ancient strategic thought. Rejecting China’s framing of the country being uniquely pacific or defense-oriented historically, and nuancing Sunzi’s dictums, the article spells out the core concepts that can be deduced from the classics. Aligning the concepts with China’s strategic behavior under the CCP, the article discerns a tactical preference to deliver the enemy a surprise first blow with overwhelming force. Retaining a flexible, low-cost posture, China withdraws after the enemy has been taught a shocking lesson.