This book offers a thematic discussion of the key issues surrounding the rise of China and what that will mean to people outside China in the years ahead. 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.
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 foreword frames this exploration of one of the world's most fascinating cultures
Ch. 1 China and the two paths 1
Ch. 2 What do we mean when we say China? 11
Ch. 3 A Mao for all seasons : the master on contradictions in the twenty-first century 21
Ch. 4 The history came 35
Ch. 5 The dark side of the new PRC 53
Ch. 6 Getting used to understanding modern Chinese doublespeak 65
Ch. 7 How to win friends and influence people in the PRC 75
Ch. 8 The kindness of strangers : 'outsiders' and being Chinese 89
Ch. 9 The Chinese economy 101
Ch. 10 Chinese characters 113
Conclusion : many Chinas, many truths 135