The China Paradox: At the Front Line of Economic Transformation

Paul G. Clifford

Published by De Gruyter 2022

The China Paradox

At the Front Line of Economic Transformation

Paul G. Clifford

https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110724233

Overview
Contents

About this book

In The China Paradox: At the Front Line of Economic Transformation, Harvard University-based historian of modern China and business strategist Dr. Paul G. Clifford documents the twists and turns of China’s dramatic and unforeseen rise over the last four decades. He sheds light on the delicate and fragile balance of forces at the heart of the success of China’s hybrid model, explaining how the ruling Communist Party boldly led the nation’s economic reforms as the surest way to preserve its grip on political power.

Five years after this book was first published, much has changed within China and in its relationship with the world. This second edition provides extensive fresh new material. It explains how China has raised its game, moving from a catch-up mode to technological innovation in some areas, while still languishing in technology dependence in other respects. Earlier, China had shown signs that its driving spirit was faltering with its sails flapping. Under Xi Jinping, renewed energy has been injected. But at the same time Xi and his party have strongly reinforced their control across society and the economy, posing the question of whether Xi’s New Era in fact marks a retreat from the reforms.

This second edition contains two new chapters. One profiles Huawei, a national champion in advanced technology. Another focuses on China’s frictions with the world which have been fueled by a perception that its technology progress threatens US global dominance, coupled with China’s human rights record. In addition, against a background of the challenges faced by Alibaba and other firms, there is analysis of this watershed in China’s private sector’s autonomy. There is also extensive new insight into Xi Jinping’s rule.

As it celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2021, the Chinese Communist Party displays strong optimism over its continued governance of China. But that should not mask the longer-term risks to China’s development and stability if its hybrid model continues to unravel as reforms are abandoned in favor of heightened autocracy.

Author / Editor information

Dr. Paul G. Clifford is a historian and business strategist. He lived and worked in China for many decades, first as a student in 1973 during the Cultural Revolution and later facilitating China’s economic reforms. He developed and implemented business strategies for foreign companies entering China and for Chinese businesses (both state-owned and private) going global. During his career he has served at a senior level in a US corporate bank, a global management consulting firm and a major US high tech firm where he was responsible for its strategic relationship with a Chinese policy bank. He worked across multiple sectors from basic infrastructure and manufacturing (building materials, chemicals, integrated logistics, automotive and railways) to advanced technology (fiber optics, semi-conductors, remote healthcare networks and smart and connected cities).

Dr. Clifford is currently Non-resident Senior Fellow at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University and President of Paul G. Clifford & Associates, LLC, which provides corporate advisory services. The first edition of The China Paradox: At The Front line of Economic Transformation (2017) received critical acclaim. This second edition has been expanded significantly to include new materials on Chinese technology firms, China’s frictions with the world and the implications of Xi Jinping’s New Era.

Dr. Clifford studied at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, where he received a Ph.D. in modern Chinese history, and at Peking University. He has taught at universities in Mexico and London and has been widely published globally and in China on Chinese history, politics, economics and business. He is fluent in modem Chinese and also reads classical Chinese. He now lives in Rhode Island, USA.

Reviews

“With its wonderfully narrated cases of how businesses succeed and fail in China, this is required reading for any investor. Its rich, historical dissection of China’s political economy under Communism should be read by any scholar of contemporary China . . . simply an amazing book.” Prof. William C. Kirby, Spangler Family Professor of Business Administration, T.M. Chang Professor of China Studies, Harvard University

“This is a ‘must-read’ not only for those interested in China’s trajectory but also for those interested in global economic and political issues.” Carla A. Hills, Chair and CEO, Hills & Company; former US Trade Representative

“. . . an outstanding primer on how to evaluate and how to interact with an entirely new, unprecedented set of challenges and opportunities.” Craig Allen, President, US-China Business Council; former Department of Commerce Deputy Assistant Secretary for China

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	I
Advance Praise for The China Paradox, Second Edition Publicly Available Download PDF	V
Advance Praise for The China Paradox, First Edition Publicly Available Download PDF	IX
Acknowledgments Publicly Available Download PDF	XIII
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	XV
Preface Publicly Available Download PDF	XIX
Chapter 1 The Hybrid Development Model at the Heart of a Vibrant New China Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
Chapter 2 Early Attempts at Industrialization: The Empire and the Republic Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	9
Chapter 3 The First Decades of the People’s Republic: The Soviet Model . . . and Worse Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	16
Chapter 4 Wrongs are Righted, the Reforms Take Shape Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	35
Chapter 5 What to Do with the State-Owned Enterprises? Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	50
Chapter 6 The Private Economy Emerges Unannounced Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	74
Chapter 7 Huawei: A Private Company Becomes a National Champion Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	92
Chapter 8 Magnet for Foreign Investment Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	104
Chapter 9 Business Models at the Heart of China’s Emergence Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	130
Chapter 10 China’s Friction with the World Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	174
Chapter 11 What Could Disrupt or Sustain the China Paradox? Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	189
Chapter 12 Conclusions Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	241
Endnotes Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	261
List of Figures Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	277
About the Author Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	279
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	281

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: De Gruyter
Edition: 2nd edition
Audience: Those with business dealings with or in China, those involved in foreign trade, those studying international business.
Pages
- Front matter: 20
- Main content: 297
Illustrations
- Illustrations: 9
- Tables: 3
Keywords: Chinese History; Politics; Economics; Business

eBook

Published: December 6, 2021
ISBN: 9783110724233

Paperback

Published: December 6, 2021
ISBN: 9783110724172