How China's Leaders Think: The Inside Story of China's Past, Current and Future Leaders [Hardcover]

Robert Lawrence Kuhn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 14, 2009 | ISBN-10: 047082445X | ISBN-13: 978-0470824450 | Edition: 1

China impacts everyone—an economic superpower competing in every arena of human endeavor. Here are those who run China, its current and future leaders. Here’s how China’s leaders think about China’s growing global strength—in trade, business and finance; in diplomacy, defense and security; in science, technology and innovation; in culture, media and sports—and what this all means for the future of the world. Here also are China’s leaders in economics, private business, state-owned enterprises, banking, foreign affairs, military, healthcare, religion, film, television, press, Internet, literature, ideology, and more.

Robert Lawrence Kuhn speaks with over 100 Chinese leaders and has inner access to Communist Party officials and material. He focuses on President Hu Jintao's philosophies and policies, and looks to the next generation of China’s leaders. Who are China’s future leaders? What are they doing today? What’s their way of thinking about China’s place in the world? What about prospects for democracy and political reform? Is there a road map for political reform?

What about the so-called “China Threat?” Or the emerging “China Model?” Kuhn confronts China’s leaders with China’s problems: economic imbalances (rural vs. urban), pollution, unsustainable development, migrant workers, human rights, democracy, rule of law, corruption, minorities, ethnic conflicts, censorship, social instability, ideological shakeup, shifting moral and family values, religious repression, death penalty, organs from executed prisoners, global conflicts, resource competition, and the worldwide financial crisis. The best way to know China—the best way to do business with China—is to know what motivates China’s leaders and what drives their policies. This book is an intimate, candid portrayal of how China’s leaders think. Readers will never get closer to China’s leaders than this.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

China is an economic superpower competing in every arena of human endeavor. From trade and technology to culture, media and sports – China’s growing strengths have global implications. But who are China’s leaders, current and future, and what do they make of the country’s growing influence? What are China’s future leaders doing today? And how do they think about democracy, political reform and China’s place in the new world order?

How China’s Leaders Think focuses on the forces shaping China – the leaders and their philosophies; the government and it policies, and a nation of 1.3 billion people embracing change. With unique access to Communist Party officials, author Robert Lawrence Kuhn interviews over 100 of China’s leaders. He portrays President Hu Jintao, and looks to the next generation of China’s leaders, including Xi Jinping, likely China’s next president; Li Keqiang, likely China’s next premier; and “Rising Star” politburo members Li Yuanchao, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan, Bo Xilai and Wang Yang.

Kuhn speaks with China’s leaders in private companies, state-owned enterprises, banking, foreign affairs, military, agriculture, healthcare, religion, media, internet, film, literature, ideology and more to create an extraordinary portrait of China today. Is there a viable “China threat” or an emerging “China Model?” In confronting China’s leaders on China’s problems—economic imbalances, pollution, corruption, human rights, media censorship, religious tension, and ethnic conflicts, to name a few—Kuhn’s finds frank acknowledgement of the long road China must still travel in order to realize President Hu’s vision of a Harmonious Society.

The best way to know China—and the best way to do business with China—is to know what motives China’s leaders and what drives their policies. How China’s Leaders Think is, quite literally, an invaluable roadmap of how China’s leaders view the key issues of the day. Readers will not get closer to China’s leaders than this insightful book from Robert Lawrence Kuhn. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

China’s Leaders

In the fall of 2012, when China’s Communist Party has its next National Party Congress (one is held every five years), senior leaders will be selected to replace those who have run the country for the past decade. In his book, How China’s Leaders Think, Kuhn offers background on Chinese officials we may hear more about in coming years. – Barron’s

Robert Kuhn offers outlooks on the mainland’s future from those shaping it… [His] access to the mainland’s political hierarchy is impressive. – South China Morning Post

How China’s Leaders Think draws on interviews with more than 100 Chinese leaders, providing insightful views on what China’s current and future leaders think about economy, media, diplomacy and more. – Xinhua News Agency

Kuhn’s latest work draws on his personal conversations with as many as 100 Chinese leaders. Kuhn delves into the mode of thinking of China’s leaders, revealing how they feel about the country’s presence in the world and how certain changes may impact others. – Global Times

This book reflects the personal visions and collective commitment of China’s senior leaders, including the next generation who will come to full power in 2012. Most readers will not get closer to China’s leaders than this. – China Daily

This is an important book that deserves a wide audience. It is important because it is the first attempt by a foreigner to explain the thinking of China’s current leadership across a range of subjects, and because Kuhn’s access to that leadership is unprecedented – and entirely unique – for any Westerner outside of diplomatic circles. – That’s Shanghai

Arguably one of the best surveys of China’s economic and social landscape during several decades of reform. – The Washington Times  --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 600 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (December 14, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 047082445X
• ISBN-13: 978-0470824450
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.4 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #346,659 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Insider's Book, January 5, 2010

By 

Michael Yu "Shingscot" (Houston, Texas United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: How China's Leaders Think: The Inside Story of China's Past, Current and Future Leaders (Hardcover)

This book is a product of a true China hand, someone who has been dealing with China since 1967. The book is full of insights and historical events. An outstanding book!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Detail -, August 7, 2010

By 

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

This review is from: How China's Leaders Think: The Inside Story of China's Past, Current and Future Leaders (Hardcover)

Kuhn, an investment banker, serves as an unpaid advisor to China and has had considerable access to its leaders extending back 20 years. He also clearly supports China's one-party rule. During his interactions, Kuhn has come to also recognize that national pride is a major underlying factor - China was once a global leader, then was humiliated by the West, and now is intent on regaining its former stature. The 2008 Olympics, the Shanghai 2010 World Exposition, space missions, and its economic resurgence are reflections of this. Stability is another fundamental value - the Cultural Revolution has left scars on everyone over aged 50, says Kuhn, and its leaders are very attuned to the need to satisfy the people.

China's leaders expect its corporations to become among the largest and most successful in the world. And an astonishing 86% of citizens in a spring 2008 Pew Poll said they were "satisfied" with the country's direction, about double the percentage in 2002, and the highest of the 24 nations polled. (The U.S. was among the lowest, at 23%.)

China's current primary focus is on reducing inequality between regions (rural residents represent 55% of population and agriculture generates only 11% of GDP; add the 33% from TVEs) and its highest vs. lowest earners; other emphases are increasing GDP/energy use, reducing pollution, improving access to quality medical care, and quality education.

Kuhn's summary of the struggle for economic reform is interesting. Mao had named Hua Guofeng as his successor, but the Gang of Four, led by Mao's widow, attempted to take power by discrediting him. Hua then aligned with moderates and army leaders to jail the Gan of Four and restore normalcy to China after the Cultural Revolution turmoil. Deng Xioping was then brought into the leadership and quickly pointed out where purported Mao followers were deviating from reality, and had ignored Mao's principle of 'seeking truth from facts.' Further, it was not correct that they should be prohibited from remedying anything erroneous Mao had said or done. 'Truth' became the focus.

After 6/4/1989, conservatives resurged and reined in Deng's reforms, even though he had ordered the PLA to remove the protesters. Through 19990-91, Leftists demanded China oppose 'peaceful evolution (a supposed Western plot to overthrow China's socialist system by subtle social transformation), and returned to class struggle. Deng Xiaoping arranged for ally Zhu Rongji, Shanghai Party secretary, to become vice premier. Then came the overthrow of the Russian communists and more conservative alarm. Fortunately, General Secretary sought the real reasons, and attributed them to mishandling the diverse ethnic groups, over emphasis on political reform, and not enough economic reform, and concluded CCP needed to reduce interference in enterprises to boost the economy.

Deng, largely retired at 87, decided he had to revitalize the nation. At his first stop in Wuhan, Deng told the leaders that they had too many meetings and repetitious speeches - priority to deeds was needed. Further, "Anyone who is against reform, will be put out of office." In downtown Shenzhen, he was amazed at the progress, and emphasized how the SEZ had been established under socialism and FDI. Media coverage brought a revival of reform. Jiang Zemin reinforced the commitment, and incompetents or those in opposition were sacked - sometimes on the spot.

Kuhn recognizes China's problems, including pollution, inequality, corruption, unemployment, a need for political reform, and crime. China expects to reach a 60% urban population by 2020; TVEs employ 130+ million and generate one-third of GDP. In 2009, China enacted a fuel-economy requirement for each automaker - 42.2 mpg by 2015.

A major leadership turnover will occur in 2012. Kuhn's coverage also includes a review of the 62 province chiefs - potential new national leaders (about 76% of current politburo members were former province chiefs). High-ranking leaders must serve at least 2 years before being promoted. Two of the group were purged by prior premiers for opposition.

Finally, Kuhn, though he supports China's current one-party rule, believes it is moving to become more democratic.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ojective and Accurate, December 20, 2009

By 

Koh Kah Hock - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: How China's Leaders Think: The Inside Story of China's Past, Current and Future Leaders (Hardcover)

This is one of the very few objective account on the development of China, as written by a Western author. A MUST READ for anyone who wish to deal with China.