The Coming Collapse of China

By: Gordon G. Chang

Narrated by: Nancy Wu

Length: 12 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

China is hot. The world sees a glorious future for this sleeping giant, three times larger than the United States, predicting it will blossom into the world's biggest economy by 2010. According to Chang, however, a Chinese American lawyer and China specialist, the People's Republic is a paper dragon. Peer beneath the veneer of modernization since Mao's death, and the symptoms of decay are everywhere: Deflation grips the economy, state-owned enterprises are failing, banks are hopelessly insolvent, foreign investment continues to decline, and Communist party corruption eats away at the fabric of society.

Beijing's cautious reforms have left the country stuck midway between communism and capitalism, Chang writes. With its impending World Trade Organization membership, for the first time China will be forced to open itself to foreign competition, which will shake the country to its foundations. Economic failure will be followed by government collapse. Covering subjects from party politics to the Falun Gong to the government's insupportable position on Taiwan, Chang presents a thorough and very chilling overview of China's present and not-so-distant future.

©2001 Gordon G. Chang (P)2021 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"A compelling account of the rot in China's institutions and the forces at work to end the Communist Party's monopoly on power." (James A. Dorn, Cato Institute, Washington DC, coeditor of China's Future: Constructive Partner or Emerging Threat?)

"Quite simply the best book I know about China's future. Gordon Chang writes marvelously and knows China well. I hope everyone concerned with that country will pay careful consideration to what he sees ahead." (Arthur Waldron, director of Asian studies, American Enterprise Institute; Lauder professor of international relations, University of Pennsylvania)

"A sobering look at how the unique Chinese experiment of market reforms under one-party dictatorship could go wrong. The author has combined first-hand experience with painstaking research. The often gloomy picture of the violent clashes between the forces of change and those of reaction is relieved by lively anecdotes and witty storytelling. A tour de force not to be missed." (Willy Wo-Lap Lam, senior China analyst at CNN's Hong Kong office and author of The Era of Jiang Zemin)

Very well laid out and see how a peoples that stand together will always win.

I was not fully aware of all happening behind the scenes. So much to take in. Excellent audiobook.

freshhhh!

finally a valid realistic point.
all the China dystopia books China government (not the people) is the boogie man.
& maybe they are...but a realistic boots on the ground View... really great writing...well the Narrator was really good vocab. & like i heard 2 languages & several Dialects.
other than that self explanatory.

Old News

Mostly a review of China politics up to the 20th century. If you are alresdy aware of China history you may find this relatively boring as I did.

Understanding China and the communist party

This book is very informative about the struggles of China. It covers history and future outlook.

Great complexity

There was so much complexity and diversity within China although I should have assumed it as there is also in America and every other country. This is the second book by this author that I have thoroughly enjoyed and have become a more knowledgeable person as a result. Now I hope for freedom for the Chinese people more than ever.

Should make clearer this was released 20 years ago

Interesting now how it seems to have missed the prediction but should ask author for an update

corruption

ccp is screwed but they do not even know it. first casualties from a taiwan invasion wait for the fireworks

10 years out of date.

This book was written 10 years ago. There are very modest updates. The thesis that the communist part is about to collapse may turn out to be true but since it hasn’t happened in the intervening years, why should one believe that the author has any meaningful insight into what’s happening. Very disappointed.

Outdated

i agreed with the Larson Family. I feel dupped and want my credit back as well.

Couldn’t Have been More Wrong

Every prediction was based on Western Norms and nothing tacks with today’s reality. Can’t believe Fox keeps parading his book out as a basis of credibility for anything he predicts now.