Asian Studies

This book was written by James Kynge, a journalist and former bureau chief of the Financial Times.  This book discusses Chinas potential to be a major world power in the realm of economics.  Since China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001, China has, in all practical purposes, launched itself into the realm of globalization, something that has been considered very alien to them since ancient times.   China has been known to be xenophobic, very wary of anything foreign or  barbaric  which is defined as anything outside its world or influence.  This xenophobia has caused it not to adapt to the changing world around it, leading to its social and economic stagnation.  China would pay a great price for refusing to adapt when it was defeated by western powers, resulting in the loss of some of her territories as colonies or spheres of influence.  The communist takeover by Mao Zedong did not do much to improve Chinas standing in the world and as a matter of fact, China nearly imploded from the Cultural Revolution that nearly spiraled out of control and almost plunged China into chaos.

Following Maos death in 1976, Deng Xiaoping, Chinas  Paramount Leader  took the reins of power and changed Chinas direction by doing what was considered unthinkable to orthodox Marxists and socialists   introduce capitalism in China.  As Deng would put it,  one country, two systems.   By the 1990s, China began to see dramatic changes in its social landscape as drab Mao-themed norms were giving way to modernity as free enterprise entered China starting with a trickle until it became a torrent as Chinas appetite for more of what the modern world can offer made it even more hungrier which in turn empowered people with individual rights (Kynge 12).  If one were to go to China, one would hardly believe that it is a communist totalitarian state with Maos influence still lingering.  Today, China does not look that part though the communist party is still there, ensconced in power, content as long as their people are content.  Chinas economic growth is considered one  rags to riches  story only on a larger scale. As Deng once said that there is nothing wrong about getting rich and as a matter-of-factly, he even said it would be glorious for one to prosper.

Chinas hunger for modernization has transformed its cities and towns into major urban centers with banks and office buildings, designed in the western style giving off that sophisticated look which is a far cry from the sleepy, rustic and exotic image outsiders may have of China such as the case of Chongqing which Kynge narrates in Chapter 2.  He would relate that American cities were also like this in the 19th century and Kynge noticed that China is doing  what it was reluctant to do in the past   imitate and adapt.  This was a scene repeated in other major Chinese cities (23-26).

Napoleon had heard of China and apparently recognized it for what it is as a great nation.  He said, Let China sleep, for when she wakes, she will shake the world. In the early days of the twenty-first century, China made an impact to the world with its prowess in manufacturing and exports. Making use of their manpower assets, China has been churning out goods at amazing speed and aggressively marketing and exporting them, especially in parts of Asia and Africa where they would rake in considerable profits which in turn puts in piles of money in its foreign currency reserves.  Because the products are very cheap, it is rather surprising that they get compliments from those overseas who have purchased their products (Kynge 223-225).  If this would be the case, China can be assured that they will never run out of markets for their goods and in doing so, they would pose as a serious threat to western counterparts by making up for lack of quality in quantity and cheaper prices.

Despite Chinas continuing march to progress and globalization, there are still issues China need to address and these are the same issues that have been raised in the past from copyright infringement and intellectual property rights, human rights and (commercial) piracy (Kynge 225).  The problem seen here is that China still has the  Middle Kingdom Mentality  where it has a tendency to take and not give and this could pose a problem in the international scene as China jumped on the bandwagon of globalization.  It is a matter of waiting or seeing if China can address these issues in order to be a true partner of the global community or continue to get what it wants without giving anything back in return.

Kynge has written a very good account on Chinas economic history.  He has gotten everything covered from the circumstances that led to Chinas rise and how China is seeking to sustain that march to progress without letting up.  One way to look at this is Chinas hunger stems from its national pride.  It is trying very hard to erase the shame of the  hundred years of humiliation  it suffered at the hands of the west in the 19th century.

One can only speculate if this could be the reason why China is flouting international (commercial and business) laws as a way of exacting its brand of payback from western exploitation by refusing to submit to what they think are  unreasonable  demands which could also stem from the Chinese trait of saving and losing  face.   Kynges book is a welcome addition to the reading material of any student of China studies.