An Orange County author’s new book, “China Attacks,” predicted last week’s passage by the U.S. Senate of a bill calling for permanent normal trade relations with China.
Completed a year ago, the political thriller goes on to depict the passage of the bill as a precursor to a fictional Chinese attack on Taiwan.
Co-written by Irvine’s Chuck DeVore and China expert Stephen W. Mosher, the book echoes actual events: Chinese military maneuvers across from Taiwan, growing religious persecution in China and a “charm offensive” public relations campaign by Beijing in the U.S.
An actual Chinese lobbying effort began in early September, wrapping up a few days before the U.S. Senate passed the trade-relations bill. The effort consisted of Chinese orchestra performances, art shows and dance troupes touring 10 American cities, including Los Angeles, as part of a $7 million cultural extravaganza.
In the book, DeVore said he and Mosher describe in detail a television advertising campaign designed to “improve American public opinion towards China” and “to improve the likelihood of Senate passage of PNTR,” he said.
China’s recent campaign aimed to win support for its World Trade Organization membership bid, which could come up for consideration later this year.
DeVore served as a special assistant for foreign affairs at the Pentagon under the Reagan administration and now is a major in the Army National Guard where he is a combat brigade team intelligence officer. He is also an Orange County Republican Party Central Committeeman.
“China Attacks” currently ranks in the top 3% of Amazon.com fiction releases for 2000.
