Whiting speaks of the Chinese calculus of deterrence ‘as an attempt to infer what general strategy underlies persistent patterns of behaviour aimed at persuading a perceived opponent that costs of his continuing conflictual activity will eventually prove unacceptable to him because of the Chinese response.’ In simple terms, it is an amalgam of Chinese strategies and tactics in the political and military sphere aimed at dissuading an adversary from pursuing an unprofitable course.
The first part of the study discusses the calculus of deterrence as it operated during the Sino-Indian crisis of 1961-62. It may, however, be noted that it is not a study of the Sino-Indian border question. It focuses attention on Chinese decision-making within the over-all threat perceptions of Peking.