How China's Leaders Think
Robert Lawrence Kuhn
Uncover How China’s Leaders Think
and the Inside Story of China’s Reform
New York; London; Singapore; Beijing; Shanghai — 23 September, 2009 – Who are China’s Leaders? How do they think? What does it mean for the future? These are the questions of the moment as New China celebrates its 60th anniversary, because China impacts everyone—an economic superpower competing in every arena of human endeavor. But China’s astonishing transformation comes with challenges and contradictions. Is there a looming “China Threat?” Or an emerging “China Model?”
Published by John Wiley & Sons, How China’s Leaders Think – The Inside Story of China’s Reform and What This Means for the Future draws on personal, candid conversations with over 100 Chinese leaders across all sectors to delve into the way Chinese leaders think. Author Dr. Robert Lawrence Kuhn presents an insider’s view of how those who lead China feel about their country’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 how this impacts the world.
Having spent much of his time in China with China’s leaders, Dr. Kuhn uses his inner access to high-level Communist Party officials to speak—exclusively—with China’s leaders in private companies, state-owned enterprises, banking, foreign affairs, military, healthcare, religion, media, Internet, film, literature, ideology, morals and values, and more. Dr. Kuhn asks China’s leaders what they make of economic imbalances, pollution, unsustainable development, corruption, migrant workers, unemployment and crime. He also confronts China’s leaders on the issues of human rights, censorship, religious freedom, ethnic clashes, international conflicts and superpower rivalries—and provides insightful analysis of how these challenges might be dealt with.
Writing with an insider’s perspective and voice, Dr. Kuhn focuses on President Hu Jintao's philosophies and policies—including the road to political reform and prospects for democracy. Significantly, Dr. Kuhn looks to the next (“fifth”) generation of China’s senior political leaders. Who are China’s future leaders? And how would they deal with China’s rising and dramatic prominence?
“To understand China, especially in the light of China’s resurgence and power—and in the face of media distortions—the international community needs to appreciate how China’s leaders think,” said Dr. Kuhn. “This book focuses on the country’s most senior leaders, current and future, and on officials and intellectuals in diverse sectors, who collectively form the foundation of thought and drive the commitment to further reform in China today. My task is to portray their personas, to give voice to their thoughts and life to their feelings, as well as to describe their works and deeds.”
Nick Wallwork, publisher from John Wiley & Sons, added, “Dr. Kuhn’s unique access in China enables him to obtain insights into the Chinese policy-making process. He has done an outstanding job in his quest to shed light on the thought processes and motivations of the current, and possibly future, generations of leaders.”
“Wiley is very proud to be publishing such an important book and trust that its valuable insights will lead to a greater understanding of modern China.”
“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”, added Dr. Kuhn.
This unprecedented book reflects the personal visions and collective commitment of China’s senior leaders – particularly the next generation who will come to full power in 2012. Readers will not get closer to China’s leaders than this.
