Abstract

‘Struggling Giant’ explores the future of this emerging economic powerhouse and what the next two decades might bring in the critical areas of the environment, economy and political stability.

'Offers a broad and challenging view of China, past and present and – venturing where many scholars fear to tread – of its likely future too.' —John Gittings, author of ‘The Changing Face of China’

'Kerry Brown’s long association with his subject as a scholar, diplomat and businessman allow him to make confident, authentic judgements on many of the key China questions.' —James Kynge, author of ‘China Shakes the World’

The themes dealt with here include some of the most pressing issues for the Chinese and those who interact with China: the impact of China’s development on the world economic system and on its environment, the likely future stability of China, the very existence of a unified China and the fault lines along which this entity might break apart in the years ahead, and an assessment of the future of the one-party system and what might replace it. Jonathan Fenby’s enlightening foreword perfectly frames this engaging and timely exploration of one of the world’s most fascinating cultures.

Kerry Brown is Associate Fellow at Chatham House, and Director of Strategic China Ltd.

Jonathan Fenby is a British journalist. He has worked for numerous distinguished publications, including ‘The Observer’, ‘Reuters’, ‘The Economist’, ‘The Guardian’ and ‘South China Morning Post’.

'It says a lot, says it well, leaves you more knowledgeable than when you started, and then promptly exits stage left.' —Paul French, author of ‘Through the Looking Glass: China’s Foreign Journalists from Opium Wars to Mao’

'A witty and original book by someone who knows every aspect of China. Everyone will find this a refreshing read.' —Jasper Becker, author of ‘Hungry Ghosts’