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  • Has China Won?

  • The Chinese Challenge to American Primacy
  • By: Kishore Mahbubani
  • Narrated by: Aaron Abano
  • Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (148 ratings)
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Has China Won? cover art

Has China Won?

By: Kishore Mahbubani
Narrated by: Aaron Abano
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Summary

The defining geopolitical contest of the 21st 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.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2020 Kishore Mahbubani (P)2020 PublicAffairs

What listeners say about Has China Won?

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An East Asian perspective on this contest

He is not an evolutionary psychologist but has written like he is one. A dominant tribe (USA) is being challenged by an up and coming tribe (China) for the title. He describes the moves the USA are making that are wise if they want to remain the champ, and what they are doing to lose the match. He does the same with China. I found his description of the lack of understanding in the West that their way to govern may be best for them but is not the best for East Asia and other parts of the world quite insightful and correct. It is one of the big mistakes the USA is making in not understanding how the Chinese form of government that the USA perceive as so evil, has lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty and given China the ability to no longer be pushed around as they were during what they call their century of humiliation by foreign powers. Tribal ego on the part of both of these nations gets in the way of greater cooperation and prosperity for both; Mahbubani does an excellent job of showing that with numerous examples throughout the book. If one is interested in the tribal contest between China and the USA, what motivates both, strategies they should follow to win it,and whats in it for the rest of the world, I'd recommend you read this analysis. His perspective may be uncomfortable for some Westerners, certainly for Americans it will be, but are you looking for comfort or clarity? This book is well researched and informative, but reads quite smoothly. Mahbubani clearly has a handle on what motivates the Chinese better than other books on the subject I have read by Westerners. Lee Kuan Yew had countless conversations with Chinese leaders during their economic rise because they saw Lee as a mentor. Lee was an expert on what motivates China due to these relationships. Lee was also a mentor to Mahbubani and obviously shared his knowledge about Chinese aims with him. This book is informative because most books on this subject give us the Western perspective, this is a refreshing departure that is bringing balance to the conversation.

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11 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Rather one-sided!

This book contains some interesting information and facts.

However a large part of the book was spent critiquing the United States of America. Had the author done the same for China I would have viewed this as a more honest assessment of the situation. The author’s fawning of the Chinese communist party and Chinese success just left me wondering what his real motives were?

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7 people found this helpful

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The struggle for global hedgamony

One of those times when you need to go against your instinct. Certainly, a different perspective in the Sino-American struggle for global hegemony. Needless to say, we would be batting for opposite sides...but a useful insight into the Asian mind and their perspective.

At times I found myself screaming at the book...like when he was quick to point out GM’s unprecedented growth in China with record ‘profits’ but failed to mention that companies cannot repatriate their ‘profits’ back to their home countries.

Yes, it is good to recall past ‘mistakes’ western imperialism been possibly the most egregious.

Nothing comes from nothing.... and in many occasions, there is just cause for mistrust and enmities.

Insightful and interestingly analytical of ‘fixed’ positions on both sides.

I’ve read many a book on China...and this is one I’m glad to have in my collection.

But to be honest...I’m not sure if he is naive or an apologist...that’s one I'll take my time over...you can make your own mind up....

One thing for sure though.... he asks a question that does need addressing particularly for Americans.

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6 people found this helpful

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Deceptive and pro-CCP

Some parts are interesting. At other parts, you read arguments that would not pass muster in a high school paper, let alone in a book from a diplomat of such high repute. For example, China's treatment of the Uyghurs, which some have called a genocide, is excused because America locks up a lot of people. Apart from the whataboutism, and regardless of what one thinks of the Chinese policy, there is a big difference between locking people up for crimes, and doing it because of their ethnic group or culture.

That sort of nonsense just makes me distrust the rest of the book. In general, the book is very anti-American. This is not necessarily bad, but it's often cheap shots and empty rhetoric. It's pro-CCP, beyond the things one would give the CCP credit for.

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4 people found this helpful

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Bias

I have never seen such heavy cherry picking, it’s ok but I lost track of the amount of apples and pears comparisons

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3 people found this helpful

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Nieve and preaching

Vague liberal swipe at Western civilisation so,popular in 2nd rate intellectuals filled with thinly veiled resentment of US, UK and Europe

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Changing world order

We are living in fascinating times, as one power over takes another. The manner in which the US is taking this handover is ugly and off-putting, and the optimism by the rise of china is well high lighted in this book. In mainstream media we are told to fear this.

Very fact based and just very interesting insights into geopolitics and interpretations of events from different sides.

Would recommend to anyone who doesn't know much about China but are interested in geopolitics.

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1 person found this helpful

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  • ET
  • 04-01-21

Offers another viewpoint

Carefully breaks down and analyses areas of US-China relations without the hysteria. Wish this had included a post-covid update. A must read for any American (and anyone, really) who considers themselves intelligent and open minded.

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An excellent book.

A fantastic and detailed overview of the difficulties faced by the West in terms of understanding China.

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Has China Won?

An insightful understanding of the geopolitical contest between America and China. A must read book for the century.

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1 person found this helpful