China's Rise: Challenges and Opportunities [Hardcover]

C. Fred Bergsten (Author), Charles Freeman (Author), Nicholas R. Lardy (Author), Derek J. Mitchell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 23, 2008

China has emerged as an economic powerhouse (projected to have the largest economy in the world in a little over a decade) and is taking an ever-increasing role on the world stage. China's Rise: Challenges and Opportunities is designed to help the United States better comprehend the facts and dynamics underpinning China's rise, which is an understanding that becomes more and more important with each passing day. Additionally, the authors suggest actions both countries can take that will not only maximize the opportunities for China's constructive integration into the international community but also help form a domestic consensus that will provide a stable foundation for such policies. Filled with facts for policymakers, this much-anticipated book's narrative-driven, accessible style will appeal to the general reader. The expert judgments in this book paint a picture of a China confronting domestic challenges that are in many ways side effects of its economic successes, while simultaneously trying to take advantage of the foreign policy benefits of those same successes. China's Rise: Challenges and Opportunities from The China Balance Sheet Project, a joint, multiyear project of the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Peterson Institute, discusses China's military modernization; China's increasing soft power influence in Asia and around the world; China's policy toward Taiwan; domestic political development; Beijing's political relations with China's provincial and municipal authorities; corruption and social unrest; rebalancing China's economic growth; the exchange rate controversy; energy and the environment; industrial policy; trade disputes; and investment issues. The book's introduction and conclusion address additional issues, such as key trends in China's political decision making and its impact on US interests.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...designed to clarify contemporary China and advise how U.S. 'engagement' with China may best move ahead. There's lots here, but clearly presented, with a great chronology. --Library Journal

This is the best single book on China, and I use it to prepare for all my trips to that country. --Zbigniew Brzezinski, former US National Security Adviser

Product Details

• Hardcover: 280 pages
• Publisher: Peterson Institute for International Economcis; 1 edition (September 23, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881324175
• ISBN-13: 978-0881324174
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #330,272 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Insights -, February 22, 2010

By 

Loyd E. Eskildson "Pragmatist" (Phoenix, AZ.) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: China's Rise: Challenges and Opportunities (Paperback)

Bergsten's book provides good insights into today's China. China has become a global economic power - second largest national economy, second largest exporter, largest foreign exchange reserves. Its real GDP in 2006 was about 13X that of 1978 when reforms began.

President Jiang Zemin's 2002 "Three Represents" (represent the majority and major components) allowed the formerly reviled entrepreneurs to join the CCP, co opting its rising middle class and intellectuals. The National People's Congress no longer rubber-stamps everything put before it by the State council - evidence includes protracted drafting of the Property Law, and 10% voting against Zemin staying as chair of the Central Military Committee. Recently there were 8% more candidates than slots, and the Minister of Health was not a CCP member.

The central government collects taxes nationwide, splitting the receipts about evenly with local governments. 'Growth at any cost' rules at the local level, creating environment problems; also the local governments don't get enough funding to cover all the central mandates. Local governments are responsible for appointing local officials and judges, along with their pay. Thus, local adherence to central mandates is sometimes half-hearted and frustrates U.S. personnel.

The spring of 1989 brought people into the streets in support student-led demonstrations - inflation and official profiteering were major concerns. Chinese corruption appears to have leveled out in the last 15 -years - now approximately at the same level as India, Mexico, Brazil, and better than the U.S.S.R. The most vulnerable areas involve real estate - state funds for real-estate loans, land seizures without proper payment. Bergsten believes this costs about 3-4%/year of GDP.

China's current aim is growth through increased domestic consumption. Benefits include reduced protectionist backlash, faster employment growth than more heavy industry (and faster income equalization), less capital intensive, and less harmful to the environment. Industry takes about 2/3 of China's energy; China has more heavy industry than Japan and India, and therefore greater pollution. Energy prices are controlled by the Chinese government.

It is now commonly recognized that no major international challenge can be met without China's assistance.

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Balanced view, December 16, 2008

By 

P. Bowie - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: China's Rise: Challenges and Opportunities (Hardcover)

While many people are "aware" of China, very few have much "understanding". China Rises provides information, observations and insights that are very helpful for those who are interested in developing a more informed view of China, its incredible complexities, remarkable achievements, as well as its massive challenges and opportunities. Although clearly viewed with a "western" bias, this is a book that finally provides a much more balanced perspective of US-China strategic relationships and interdependencies. It is a very useful addition to the "China" dialogue and well worth reading