Excerpt from Li Hung-Chang (Classic Reprint)
The empire of China is, in a manner, separated from all the rest of the world; situated in a fine and healthy climate, surrounded by the ocean to the east and south by a chain of high rocks and barren mountains on the north and west, along which runs the famous wall as an additional defence. But what, in my opinion, is a greater security to the empire against invaders than anything yet mentioned, is the barren desert, stretching for several hundred miles westwards The seas to the south and east are indeed open, and China might be attacked on that side; buti am persuaded, no prince will think it proper to disturb his own repose, and that of such a powerful people, inclined to peace with all their neighbours, and satisfied, as they seem, with their own dominions.