In the near future, Anne Campbell, a determined American reporter, is assigned to cover China. While U.S.-China relations appear stable, Anne's first day in Peking leads her to a protest that plunges her into a dangerous world of clandestine meetings, rebel leaders, and political intrigue. She uncovers a significant story about the Pentagon's plans for nuclear arming of China, but someone is sabotaging her efforts—and may even threaten her life. This political thriller, written by an author with deep insights into China's inner workings, reveals a plot involving Washington's hawkish Lowell Haggard and China's Tang Chen, who conspire to create a pretext for a Sino-American military alliance. Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador Thomas Carpenter advocates for a contrasting China policy, and Wang Weilai, a potential new Mao, seeks revolutionary legitimacy. Amid these power struggles, Anne becomes romantically involved with the U.S. Embassy's first secretary, complicating her situation further. The narrative poses a chilling question: What would occur if the U.S. decided to leverage its "China card" against Russia?
