Has China Won?: The Chinese Challenge to American Primacy
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- Create Date：2022-03-07 06:51:36
- Update Date：2025-09-06
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- Author：Kishore Mahbubani
- ISBN：1541768140
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Summary
The defining geopolitical contest of the twenty-first century is between China and the US。 But is it avoidable？ And if it happens， is the outcome already inevitable？
China and America are world powers without serious rivals。 They eye each other warily across the Pacific; they communicate poorly; there seems little natural empathy。 A massive geopolitical contest has begun。
America prizes freedom; China values freedom from chaos。America values strategic decisiveness; China values patience。America is becoming society of lasting inequality; China a meritocracy。America has abandoned multilateralism; China welcomes it。
Kishore Mahbubani， a diplomat and scholar with unrivalled access to policymakers in Beijing and Washington， has written the definitive guide to the deep fault lines in the relationship， a clear-eyed assessment of the risk of any confrontation， and a bracingly honest appraisal of the strengths and weaknesses， and superpower eccentricities， of the US and China。
China and America are world powers without serious rivals。 They eye each other warily across the Pacific; they communicate poorly; there seems little natural empathy。 A massive geopolitical contest has begun。
America prizes freedom; China values freedom from chaos。America values strategic decisiveness; China values patience。America is becoming society of lasting inequality; China a meritocracy。America has abandoned multilateralism; China welcomes it。
Kishore Mahbubani， a diplomat and scholar with unrivalled access to policymakers in Beijing and Washington， has written the definitive guide to the deep fault lines in the relationship， a clear-eyed assessment of the risk of any confrontation， and a bracingly honest appraisal of the strengths and weaknesses， and superpower eccentricities， of the US and China。
Reviews
Eddie Gonzales
，
Wish I could give this 6 stars。
Frederick
，
Way too over-romantic a notion of China and while I agree with some of his early points I disagree with many of his conclusions; I found Bilahari Kausikan's: "Singapore is not an Island" to be much more compelling， useful and engaging。 Way too over-romantic a notion of China and while I agree with some of his early points I disagree with many of his conclusions; I found Bilahari Kausikan's: "Singapore is not an Island" to be much more compelling， useful and engaging。 。。。more
Gunhee Park
，
An insightful critique of America's current stance on China。 Let there be no doubt that America lacks a comprehensive strategy on China - the author details how US leaders are suffering from groupthink， lacks a cohesive strategy， and how the many actions America has taken in the past few decades， such as its futile military interventions， have weakened America's primacy， while benefiting China's rise in reputation and economic power。 An insightful critique of America's current stance on China。 Let there be no doubt that America lacks a comprehensive strategy on China - the author details how US leaders are suffering from groupthink， lacks a cohesive strategy， and how the many actions America has taken in the past few decades， such as its futile military interventions， have weakened America's primacy， while benefiting China's rise in reputation and economic power。 。。。more
Hou Lei
，
We've seen enough narratives from either China or America towards each other， more than enough。 It has become the 24-7 hot news how these 2 major powerhouse sees， treats and thinks of each other。 However， are those narratives rational or emotional？The author is coming from external， third party， to view the #1 & #2 and who is going to be the winner of the game。 I've learned so much from the book， as this is cool-headed， clear thinking and well put togethered， a lot of points the author is trying We've seen enough narratives from either China or America towards each other， more than enough。 It has become the 24-7 hot news how these 2 major powerhouse sees， treats and thinks of each other。 However， are those narratives rational or emotional？The author is coming from external， third party， to view the #1 & #2 and who is going to be the winner of the game。 I've learned so much from the book， as this is cool-headed， clear thinking and well put togethered， a lot of points the author is trying to bring us really opened my mind and give me a different perspective to view the power struggle between the #1 & #2。Highly recommended。 。。。more
Wer
，
Mahbubani's reversal of black-white thinking to white-black thinkingKishore Mahbubani's view is unusual and interesting 'from the other side'， as he takes initially a far more sober approach to his analysis of China's behaviour on the world political stage than the Western media tenor has done recently。 He contrasts China's foreign policy course without geopolitical wars with that of the United States， which in recent decades has steadily evolved from its once not entirely unjustly deserved role Mahbubani's reversal of black-white thinking to white-black thinkingKishore Mahbubani's view is unusual and interesting 'from the other side'， as he takes initially a far more sober approach to his analysis of China's behaviour on the world political stage than the Western media tenor has done recently。 He contrasts China's foreign policy course without geopolitical wars with that of the United States， which in recent decades has steadily evolved from its once not entirely unjustly deserved role as the world's police to a world power for world power's sake。 Quite quickly， the snappy title "Has China Won？" dissolves into a less stringent than somewhat haphazard series of syntheses that have plain and simple skipped their integral dialectical process and stand on rather anecdotal， shaky legs。 Thus， Mahbubani's justification for Xi Jinping's decision to suspend a limit on legislative terms for the Chinese head of state is as follows: Yet， his decision may have been motivated by the view that China faced a real danger of slipping back into chaos。 You don't get any proof or explanation。 Just take his word for it， presumably diplomatic instinct。 Again and again Mahbubani is excited about the American arrogance （which one can certainly attest to the USA）， in order to find its counterpart， humbleness， in China's CCP and its leader Xi Jinping。 One does not read a word about the Chinese treatment of the Uyghurs or the Chinese handling of democratic structures in Hong Kong （at least until the middle of the book）。 Instead， the author goes beyond the possibility of return from his own white-black thinking: Yet， it is also a fact that relative to its peers around the world， the Chinese governing class generates more good governance （in terms of improving the well-being of its citizens） than virtually any other government today。 One guesses correctly， here again the author does not even try to deliver an ounce of proof， which would be hopeless anyway。 Mahbubani should have decided to write either a scientific paper that is clean in its approach or a courageous， sometimes megalomaniac essay; despite the refreshing change of perspective， the result is quite a mess。 。。。more
Andrew
，
Kishore Mahbubani has written a very thought-provoking book in "Has China Won？: The Chinese Challenge to American Primacy"。 Many readers may view the language in the book has very pro-China and anti-US。 However， I have a different take on it。 I believe Mahbubani is trying to wake the US out of a deep slumber， and must be a little provocative， in order to do that。 It seems that the audience for this book is the American public， not necessarily the American government。 With half of Americans not b Kishore Mahbubani has written a very thought-provoking book in "Has China Won？: The Chinese Challenge to American Primacy"。 Many readers may view the language in the book has very pro-China and anti-US。 However， I have a different take on it。 I believe Mahbubani is trying to wake the US out of a deep slumber， and must be a little provocative， in order to do that。 It seems that the audience for this book is the American public， not necessarily the American government。 With half of Americans not being able to locate China on a map of the world， it is clear that average Americans know virtually nothing about China， its long history， or its role in geopolitics。 This ignorance also extends to our elected representatives。 I see this book as a plea to the American public to say "Wake up。。。。learn a little something about China and its role in the world before you label it as evil"。 Sadly， though， learning about the world and developing opinions based on facts， are not American strong points。 Mahbubani does a really good job in explaining to the reader in clear and concise language， what his thoughts are on American and Chinese strengths， weaknesses， and opportunities for improvement。 His message in the book is that， in the often unstable world of global geopolitics， there is a middle-ground to be found in which both America and China can thrive， and we should all advocate for that path。 Mahbubani deserves to be lauded for this important book。 。。。more
Hui
，
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 I love the questions that are asked in this book。 When I looked at the titles of each chapter， I just thought， Oh， there's nothing I want to leave out。I can see why many people think the author is in favor of China。 I also noticed that the author knows a lot about China， which is another reason for me to read this book （certainly not the only one）。 Because sometimes you just can't stand it when people talk about things they haven't studied and just talk whatever they want or repeat what they saw I love the questions that are asked in this book。 When I looked at the titles of each chapter， I just thought， Oh， there's nothing I want to leave out。I can see why many people think the author is in favor of China。 I also noticed that the author knows a lot about China， which is another reason for me to read this book （certainly not the only one）。 Because sometimes you just can't stand it when people talk about things they haven't studied and just talk whatever they want or repeat what they saw on media without thinking。 The author is not only fluent in Chinese （as he mentions in the book）， but also knows a lot of Chinese culture， including Chinese philosophy and Chinese history。 And I agree with most of what he says。 Especially with the content of chapter 4， when he analyzes whether China is expansionist。 From an early age， we were taught that 以和为贵（peace is "expensive"）， we were taught 不干涉他国内政（Non interference in other countries' internal affairs）。 We have also learned from history that cooperation is important， 闭关锁国（closing the country） does not work。 I doubt any Chinese want to conquer other countries and make other countries become communist。 I also don't understand why some Americans believe that domocracy is good for every country and believe that Chinese are suffering without even having been to China once。 。。。more
Usman Sikandar
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 Comprehensive information。 He is more inclined towards China's win in 2-3 decades。 Quotes many people。 You will occasionally find the he has drifted from the topic of a chapter by going in too much details。 Recommended for anyone willing to learn abouts US China relations。 Do read some other books like 'A hundred year marathon' for additional perspectives。 Giving 4 star because he has some biased opinion about Muslims。 Comprehensive information。 He is more inclined towards China's win in 2-3 decades。 Quotes many people。 You will occasionally find the he has drifted from the topic of a chapter by going in too much details。 Recommended for anyone willing to learn abouts US China relations。 Do read some other books like 'A hundred year marathon' for additional perspectives。 Giving 4 star because he has some biased opinion about Muslims。 。。。more
Shyue Chou Chuang
，
This is a volume that examines the current American narrative of a hegemonic China。 This volume evaluates the American point of view and the Chinese point of view。 This fair-minded volume is a passionate appeal for rational heads to prevail and not slide into war。 The book is divided into nine chapters。 The first is an introduction to the geopolitical situation at hand， superpower competition and American insecurity and China's ascension。 The next two chapters examine China's biggest strategic m This is a volume that examines the current American narrative of a hegemonic China。 This volume evaluates the American point of view and the Chinese point of view。 This fair-minded volume is a passionate appeal for rational heads to prevail and not slide into war。 The book is divided into nine chapters。 The first is an introduction to the geopolitical situation at hand， superpower competition and American insecurity and China's ascension。 The next two chapters examine China's biggest strategic mistake and America's biggest strategic mistake。 The chapter analyses if China is expansionist。 After which， the following chapter looks to see if America can make U-turns in policy。 The next chapter questions if China should become a democratic nation， if so， why and if not， why not。 The following chapter is on the assumption of virtue， the mental construct that is deeply embedded in American minds。 This is followed by an analysis as to how other countries will choose and a conclusion which the writer termed as a paradox。All in all， this is an incisive， and deep analysis and will make unpleasant reading for American and Chinese policy makers。 The writer， Singapore's foremost political thinker， delivers a hopeful treatise， urging engagement and diplomacy。 。。。more
Juan Rivera
，
For years I have had talks with my brother Pedro Rivera about the fact that China will surely be the first world power and he talks about the many things against it， such as not being a democracy， the lack of freedoms， etc。 To continue delving into the subject， the book “Has China Won？ Kishore Mahbubani's The Chinese Challenge to American Primacy shows many of the mistakes of both countries and what is their almost certain fate。 Perhaps China's worst mistake is to have American companies against For years I have had talks with my brother Pedro Rivera about the fact that China will surely be the first world power and he talks about the many things against it， such as not being a democracy， the lack of freedoms， etc。 To continue delving into the subject， the book “Has China Won？ Kishore Mahbubani's The Chinese Challenge to American Primacy shows many of the mistakes of both countries and what is their almost certain fate。 Perhaps China's worst mistake is to have American companies against them by asking them to transfer technology and making it difficult for them to obtain permits to operate in their country。 But the most serious mistake is that of the United States， which is losing the battle in the same way that it managed to destroy the Soviet Union: the United States， as a rich country， fostered an arms race that the USSR could not follow。 Today the US spends as if it were at war， and throws money away in useless wars， while China grows and improves the standard of living of its population， the same roles but reversed。 China is not an expansionist country， it is not looking to export its revolution or its way of thinking。 The communist party is managed as a meritocracy， rather it seems like one more dynasty， confusionist， and the dynasties in China last hundreds of years。 It won't be over anytime soon。 It is clear that the Chinese government is left to China， and if there were democracy it would be similar to that of Japan， where there are Western-style elections but it is practically a single party that wins everything。 There is no better thing that could have happened to China than Donald Trump; By withdrawing from the international concert he allowed China to take the lead in many initiatives and will make the country the most powerful on earth， in a very short time。 And the countries that were traditionally allied with the US will ally themselves and do business with China， because that's how it suits them， and there is no empire or special country。 Greece， Rome， the Mongols， the United Kingdom， believed it at the time; but it is time for China and India to return to their place of preeminence that they have had almost all the time these last 2，000 years。 I recommend reading this book and looking at the charts below。 We can see how China and India were the largest producers in the world， and now in PPP China is already the first country in the world。 We can also see how China is already the first country that invests a lot in research and development。 And they can say a lot: it is a dictatorship。 However， the Chinese have confidence in their government， much more than the North Americans and Europeans。 If it were a dictatorship like the USSR， they would not let their citizens leave， and every year 134 million Chinese travel outside the country， and almost all of them return。 Freedom of expression， yes， there is not much， but perhaps this is better than the "fake news" that is handled today in the West and that has done so much damage to the credibility of governments。 A topic to learn， debate and understand。 。。。more
Vijay
，
Well worth reading although you may disagree with the author's views in a number of areas。 Is China expansionist？ The author says no， however， he suggests this on a territorial basis。 China is expansionist but not necessarily in territorial expansion。 It is taking over institutions such as the UN， Interpol， and other international agencies by using their power to influence these types of bodies。 Look at how the Confucian Institutes that were established worldwide as a basis of exerting influence Well worth reading although you may disagree with the author's views in a number of areas。 Is China expansionist？ The author says no， however， he suggests this on a territorial basis。 China is expansionist but not necessarily in territorial expansion。 It is taking over institutions such as the UN， Interpol， and other international agencies by using their power to influence these types of bodies。 Look at how the Confucian Institutes that were established worldwide as a basis of exerting influence， similarly with the BRI。 It uses different tools to expand its spheres of influence。The author makes one very telling remark and that is no matter how fluent he is in the language， how close he is with his Chinese counterparts， they will never treat him on the same level。 For this is the Chinese arrogance that is now on full display on the world stage。 The Chinese have many fantastic traits， but they don't seem to be able to "sell" themselves in the same way as say the Japanese do。 Sure the Japanese are also arrogant， but the Chinese are also very very loud which comes in the form of their "wolf warriors"。 America is in decline， we all know it and if China can play its cards better， it will take over as the world superpower。 It is presently antagonising the world with its arrogant display of power。 It bullies countries which they deem inferior。 They are also becoming increasingly inward looking。 With Covid， they have adopted a zero tolerance policy and closed its borders to the world。 This will have long lasting effects on world trade。Finally， you can assume the author to have some glowing comments on China due to its geopolitical proximity and a country that is majority Chinese。 Notwithstanding these comments， it is a good book to read and contemplate。 。。。more
banelom
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pretty good book in terms of china but pretty dubious to refer to henry kissinger as one of the US's most brilliant strategists in the first chapter or whateva pretty good book in terms of china but pretty dubious to refer to henry kissinger as one of the US's most brilliant strategists in the first chapter or whateva 。。。more
SH Chong
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A welcome balance from all the China bashing I’ve been reading from Western authors
Zakia
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It's a well-written book in which the author raises several essential points-to-ponder and introduces the reader with a different and correct perspective of the Sino culture。 However， the author who starts with "creating tolerance" goal， seems to lose his unbiasedness after a certain point， and seems to choose a side。 Also， in the last few chapters， the author uses strict adjectives and selective references to stress his own narratives， which can cause biasedness。 This is somewhat compensated in It's a well-written book in which the author raises several essential points-to-ponder and introduces the reader with a different and correct perspective of the Sino culture。 However， the author who starts with "creating tolerance" goal， seems to lose his unbiasedness after a certain point， and seems to choose a side。 Also， in the last few chapters， the author uses strict adjectives and selective references to stress his own narratives， which can cause biasedness。 This is somewhat compensated in the last chapter， not completely though。 。。。more
Anna
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Mostly incoherent rambling about various problems in America and praise for China with no relation to the central question。 Generally poor writing in terms of logic and structure but I did enjoy parts of the first few chapters as they were the most relevant and there were some interesting， albeit underdeveloped， arguments。 I also found a lot of the criticim directed at the US valid and worthy of discussion but not at all relevant to the topic of the book。I would not mind the biased nature of the Mostly incoherent rambling about various problems in America and praise for China with no relation to the central question。 Generally poor writing in terms of logic and structure but I did enjoy parts of the first few chapters as they were the most relevant and there were some interesting， albeit underdeveloped， arguments。 I also found a lot of the criticim directed at the US valid and worthy of discussion but not at all relevant to the topic of the book。I would not mind the biased nature of the book as much if the author had at least attempted to present balanced arguments along with a coherent structure composed of connected thoughts and some critical thinking rather than whatever this is。 。。。more
Solzhe Boy
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We get it， the author hates Trump and loved Xi， what else is new？This book has some good， valid critique of the American government， but when it came time to point the spotlight at the CCP， it mostly turned a blind eye， or shrugged it off as “misunderstandings”。 However my jaw did drop open on a few occasions when the authors responses to accusations against China were equivalent to the classic kindergarten comeback; “I’m not ugly！ You’re ugly！” Or even the zinger; “I know you are but what am I！ We get it， the author hates Trump and loved Xi， what else is new？This book has some good， valid critique of the American government， but when it came time to point the spotlight at the CCP， it mostly turned a blind eye， or shrugged it off as “misunderstandings”。 However my jaw did drop open on a few occasions when the authors responses to accusations against China were equivalent to the classic kindergarten comeback; “I’m not ugly！ You’re ugly！” Or even the zinger; “I know you are but what am I！？”Over all extremely biased toward the CCP and Xi， but some good critique of American politicians and government。 。。。more
Joseph Schrock
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Kishore Mahbubani’s book， “Has China Won？”， should cause any thoughtful American reader of the book to take serious stock of how the U。S。 is really going。 Mahbubani does not pull any punches in his analysis of U。S。-China relations。 This book poignantly expresses reservations about the U。S。 being an exceptional， great， and glorious land of freedom and opportunity。 The fact of the matter is that the U。S。， notwithstanding some substantial contributions to humanity， is very much a land of ordinary h Kishore Mahbubani’s book， “Has China Won？”， should cause any thoughtful American reader of the book to take serious stock of how the U。S。 is really going。 Mahbubani does not pull any punches in his analysis of U。S。-China relations。 This book poignantly expresses reservations about the U。S。 being an exceptional， great， and glorious land of freedom and opportunity。 The fact of the matter is that the U。S。， notwithstanding some substantial contributions to humanity， is very much a land of ordinary human beings， operating selfishly， and seeking to advance our personal and national interests – sometimes even at the cost of fairness， justice， and equity。 China is also a country of ordinary human beings， seeking benefits and rewards for themselves， sometimes doing so in ways that are less than equitable， fair， and just。 Nevertheless， the illusion of America’s exceptionalism is one that we would all do well to seriously scrutinize， because the evidence in favor of that illusion is seriously lacking。 The U。S。 is， by and large， an ordinary， albeit still powerful， country （possibly the only “super-power”， currently）， seeking wealth， freedom， and glory for itself。 As has happened with all great civilizations （civilizations with great world hegemony， wealth， and high status） that flourished for a time， their demise inevitably came， and very often that demise was preceded by excessive self-indulgence， pleasure-seeking， and degradation of moral discipline。 Although Kishore Mahbubani does not directly refer to the tendency toward moral decay and spiritual malaise in the U。S。， his book does encourage us to look askance at claims for America’s right to supremacy and its ability to maintain that supremacy in a highly competitive world， where people and nations each strive for wealth， status， and power。 Any insightful American observer will have to become aware that the levels of morality and spiritual vibrancy in the U。S。 have plummeted frighteningly within the past several decades。 Moral decline is succeeded by societal decay， degeneracy， weakness， vulnerability， and an invariable decline in world hegemony。 Is the sun setting on American “glory”？ And could it be that China has won， or will， in succeeding years， have won？ Those are sobering questions – questions which the book being reviewed helps us to bring into sharp focus。 。。。more
Jackson
，
Mostly ended up skimming this one。 Kishore offers up valuable viewpoints on the outlook of， and system of governance in China， yet is infuriatingly shallow on American matters - able to explain where they’ve gone wrong， but unable to ground those explanations in any sort of motivations beyond failures of American virtue。 Also gagged at the mention of Kishore’s ‘wonderful’ lunch with Henry Kissinger。 Foul。
Alida Gayol
，
I think the first half Is amazing， however how It Advance It gets not to neutral。 You may learn a lot of history。
Jeroen
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America and China have experienced an increasing amount of rivalry over the past years。 Trade embargo's are set into place， military muscles are flexed in the South China Sea， and public officials speak negatively of their counterparts。 But this need not be， argues Kishore。 Instead of focussing on their differences， the two countries should instead focus on their common ground。 There are immense opportunities for trade， beneficial to both countries。 China is fast becoming the country with the la America and China have experienced an increasing amount of rivalry over the past years。 Trade embargo's are set into place， military muscles are flexed in the South China Sea， and public officials speak negatively of their counterparts。 But this need not be， argues Kishore。 Instead of focussing on their differences， the two countries should instead focus on their common ground。 There are immense opportunities for trade， beneficial to both countries。 China is fast becoming the country with the largest middle-class in the world， and America could massively share in the economic benefits。 Still， though， America feels threatened that it might some day have to share the superpower stage。 But contrary to common American belief， China might not desire to obtain global military influence。 Instead， China's desires might be more national - to restore the kingdom that once was。Kishore Mahbubani shares an interesting perspective， that Westerners do not usually get。 In this book， you will get to see things from an outsiders point of view。 With Singapore as his home and having worked with both Chinese and American officials， Kishore makes an attempt to decrypt the Chinese and American attitudes。 Uncovering the sometimes poisonous or unconstructive discours in which both countries speak or behave。 Uncovering the deeper intuition that is foundational to the common thought in both countries。 The sense of inherent 'goodness' that Americans often carry with them， and the political actions carried out in a rage of emotion on both sides。 This book is a call for realist politics。 For thinking rationally and cooperating on the most important issues of the day， like climate change。→ Overall rating: 5/5 for the message and content of the book， but 3/5 for the writing。 The book should have been divided into more chapters to make it easier-to-digest。 Chapters were long and paragraphs were not always logically connected。 Though still 4/5 stars because of the message of the book。 。。。more
JEAN-PHILIPPE PEROL
，
Un livre exceptionnel que nos hommes politiques， trop influencés par les les délires sectaires de Falun Gong ou les jalousies aveugles de l'ultra-droite américaine， devrait prendre comme manuel de référence pour redefinir une stratégie dans l'inévitable-ou-évitable conflit entre la （encore） première super-puissance et sa rivale qui retrouve inexorablement sa place。 Singapourien d'origine indienne， diplomate et universitaire， ayant occupé des postes de hautes responsabilités， replace sur la carte Un livre exceptionnel que nos hommes politiques， trop influencés par les les délires sectaires de Falun Gong ou les jalousies aveugles de l'ultra-droite américaine， devrait prendre comme manuel de référence pour redefinir une stratégie dans l'inévitable-ou-évitable conflit entre la （encore） première super-puissance et sa rivale qui retrouve inexorablement sa place。 Singapourien d'origine indienne， diplomate et universitaire， ayant occupé des postes de hautes responsabilités， replace sur la carte du monde dans 2000 ans d'Histoire les données geopolitiques qui peuvent dessiner une approche bénéfique pour les deux pays et pour les pays tiers qui ne doivent pas tomber dans le piège d'une prise de partie pour l'un des deux camps。 。。。more
Ben Rogers
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It was okay。 Not nearly half as good as China Unbound: A New World Disorder。Lots of history and not too many recommendations for "moving forward"。3。6/5 It was okay。 Not nearly half as good as China Unbound: A New World Disorder。Lots of history and not too many recommendations for "moving forward"。3。6/5 。。。more
Andrew S。C。
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Good read。 Kishore is insightful as usual。
C Corbs
，
At times a good amount of objective Chinese support， but some of the American rhetoric can be boring。 In the conclusion he brings up some points he hadn’t gone into full detail on in the main body。 Largely a good objective summary of the issues and potential solutions
Benet
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A thought provoking analysis of the nature of Sino-American competition and how it could play out in decades to come。 Provides a straightforward and digestible breakdown of the geopolitical and ideological obstacles facing both countries。 As a former Singaporean diplomat with ties to both China and the US， the author provides a unique perspective that is not fully influenced by the interests and assumptions of either superpower。
Shuyuan
，
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 Interesting arguments。 As a career diplomat and scholar， the author demonstrated superb understanding of the complex relationships among nations and cultures。 The conclusions/recommendations are mostly solid and critically practical to a peaceful resolution of international conflicts and to the establishment of a better world order。 Towards the middle of the book， however， the author may have lost grip of the reality of current China， with some viewpoints being superficial。 In this regard， his o Interesting arguments。 As a career diplomat and scholar， the author demonstrated superb understanding of the complex relationships among nations and cultures。 The conclusions/recommendations are mostly solid and critically practical to a peaceful resolution of international conflicts and to the establishment of a better world order。 Towards the middle of the book， however， the author may have lost grip of the reality of current China， with some viewpoints being superficial。 In this regard， his opinion may be typical of elite guests visiting the country briefly seeing only the glorified side of the society and economy。 The economic achievements of the past 30 years were not independent but largely related to China's interaction with the world。 Therefore， despite the fact that the author is an excellent writer， some of the suggested approaches for the West to take in the future may not be as effective as one hopes。 For example， the author emphasized the emergence of a strong middle class in China， which may need further examination。 As for a Sino-American cooperation in fighting the global warming， the author is right on target。 Aside from all the differences and competitions， this approach is vital the survival of human kind。 。。。more
Harry
，
Had China won？ Of course not。 This book isn't about whether China or America has won or will。 It's about how America and China can coexist and work together to tackle the pressing issues affecting the whole humanity including climate change， worldwide poverty given the possibility that China can surpasses America in economy size and become the No 1 power。 Kishore has a deep understanding of both political systems and his remarks are fun to read。 Had China won？ Of course not。 This book isn't about whether China or America has won or will。 It's about how America and China can coexist and work together to tackle the pressing issues affecting the whole humanity including climate change， worldwide poverty given the possibility that China can surpasses America in economy size and become the No 1 power。 Kishore has a deep understanding of both political systems and his remarks are fun to read。 。。。more
Erica
，
“The final question will therefore not be whether America or China has won。 It will be whether humanity has won。”
hami
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Written for the average white audience。 Mahbubani is trying to convince the already bias westerners not to hate China， because sooner than later America will fall behind and China becomes the number power in the world。 How to cope with such a world （where wyt people are not in the center of the universe anymore， and western individualism is not the dominate ideology） is the topic of the book。 Again if you are from global south， chances are this book is not written for you。 Unless， you like to he Written for the average white audience。 Mahbubani is trying to convince the already bias westerners not to hate China， because sooner than later America will fall behind and China becomes the number power in the world。 How to cope with such a world （where wyt people are not in the center of the universe anymore， and western individualism is not the dominate ideology） is the topic of the book。 Again if you are from global south， chances are this book is not written for you。 Unless， you like to hear that your government and your way of life is not as backward as westerners think it is。 I have Mahbubani’a classic book “Can Asians Think？” But after reading this book， I am not sure if I will visit that one anytime soon。 I have to give him credit for mentioning basic facts that the International Community （the real international community: 180+ countries outside of Europe and US satellites） already know。 Namely， American human rights violations， Abu Ghoraib， Guantanamo， Drone Assassinations with 90% civilian death， Obama’s Terror Tuesdays/assassin in chief， Numerous military interventions and CIA backed coups， war crimes， targeted killings， prosecution of journalists， etc。 The other reason he wrote this book was probably his frustration with Donald Trump and other right-wing American politicians pursuing a “America First” and “Climate who gives a F” policy。 As Mahbubani is a liberal capitalist diplomat， he is also trying to convince America to like China and South Asian ASEA countries to invest in friendly relations with them。 He is a good writer so you can finish the book easily。 。。。more
Chris Esposo
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