China's Global Reach: Markets, Multinationals, Globalization [Paperback]

George Zhibin Gu (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 23, 2005

China is on the rise! A fast developing China is altering the global map. Get the inside story -- from a Chinese commentator-business strategist -- of China's emergence as a global leader!

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It takes up history of globalization ... together with Afterword by Andre Gunder Frank ... fits our "Learning History" Project" --Ronald Hilton, Hoover Fellow at Stanford University; Chairman, World Association of International Studies

"This book suggests that a new global power balance will emerge gradually and most likely indirectly." --Expresso Weekly

"Offers a broad view of Chinese multinationals on the global stage ... Hugely insightful, especially on global development." --Contemporary History Association

About the Author

George Zhibin Gu was educated at Nanjing University, Vanderbilt University, and the University of Michigan. He holds two MS and a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.
Since 1990, he has been an investment banker and business consultant. He has worked for the last 15 years in the investment world with a focus on China. His work focuses on helping international businesses to invest in China and the Chinese companies to expand overseas. He has worked for Prudential Securities, Lazard, and State Street Bank, among others. He generally covers mergers and acquisitions, venture capital, business expansion and restructuring.
Also, he is a popular commentator on political, economic, and business issues. His articles or columns have appeared in Asia Times, Beijing Review, The Seoul Times, Financial Sense, Gurus Online, Money Week, Online Opinion, Asia Venture Capital Journal, and Sinomania, among others. He is the author of two additional books, China Beyond Deng—Reforms in the PRC (McFarland, 1991) and Made in China – Players and Challengers in the 21st Century (Portuguese edition, Centro Atlantico, 2005). He now resides in Guangdong, China.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing (September 23, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1412069114
• ISBN-13: 978-1412069113
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,504,400 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book moves as quickly as China itself, February 25, 2006

By 

William Ratliff (Hoover Institution, Stanford University) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: China's Global Reach: Markets, Multinationals, Globalization (Paperback)

This book is like China itself. As you read it you feel like you are bicycling (or driving) through the bustling streets of Shenzhen, Shanghai or Chongqing. It is far-reaching and fast-moving, raises innumerable day-to-day and basic issues, notes local and national developments, focuses on specific, hands-on problems and relationships, and then moves quickly on. The author, educated in China and holding a PhD from the University of Michigan, is an investment banker and business consultant in southern China who is up to his neck in current developments, which he writes on for the international media.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This book style and presentation is outstanding plus it's very easy to read., March 12, 2006

By 

Jenny J.J.I. "A New Yorker" (That Lives in Carolinas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: China's Global Reach: Markets, Multinationals, Globalization (Paperback)

This book should be read by everyone. Author George Zhibin Gu is a high-profile Chinese commentator, whose impressive newspaper pieces are widely read. This book takes up numerous hot global issues such as job transfers, changing international trade and investment, relations between developed and developing nations, and opportunities and challenges under globalization. In particular, it offers very interesting studies on the mess behind Japan's economic slump, changing roles of multinationals, India's development, and globalization itself. Also very interesting insights on American and European economic history in relation to today's realities. Indeed, a rare and exciting book.

I particularly like his overviews on the history of globalization, analysis of both global and Chinese multinationals, and international relations. Also, it has very good ideas on numerous business issues such as management, finance and investment. Its style and presentation is also outstanding and very easy to read. In terms of quality and scope, arguably better than several well-read books on similar subject such as David Landes, William Easterly, Thomas Friedman, and even Amartya Sen.

In my opinion, it is one of the very best books on globalization and multinationals as well as China and current global affairs. I wouldn't had read this book if it hadn't been recommended to me, and that being said I highly pass this book on to you.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars authoritative on China and global affairs, May 30, 2006

By 

China Expat Fun "Joe the goal lover" (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

This review is from: China's Global Reach: Markets, Multinationals, Globalization (Paperback)

This is the book for everyone. Not to mention other things, it contains more than 30 case studies on global multinationals doing business in China, like Microsoft, GE, Intel, Cisco, Citibank, Morgan Stanley, and Wal-Mart.

It is also the place to learn about emerging Chinese multinationals. All the leading Chinese multinationals such as Haier, Huawei, TCL, Lenovo, China Oil, Sinopec,CNOOC, and Ping An are studied here. Furthermore, comparsions are made between the Chinese companies and their international counterparts, covering both strengths and weaknesses.

Its scope is rather wide and the author aims to identify key factors behind global development: causes, effects, and consequences. He gives convincing arguments on hot issues such as job and manufacturing transfers, emerging markets like China and India, the evolving trade and investment trends, and the relations between East and West. Above all, he pinpoints opportunities and challenges under globalization.

His experiences as a newspaper commentator/consultant add much color to his discussions. Based on first-hand experience and writing on the ground of China, he gives countless insider's stories. The book's style and presentation is so simple and straightforward, but its analysis is powerful.