The China Paradox

Prof. David Shambaugh, George Washington University: "In this first-hand account based on years of working in China, Paul Clifford takes the reader deep inside the belly of the beast--China's industrial economy state-owned enterprise system. This well-written and engrossing inside account should be read by all China watchers." Prof. Peter Nolan, University of Cambridge: Dr. Clifford is a scholar with a deep knowledge of Chinese history and culture, who entered the business world at a time of dramatic change in China's political economy. His rich business experience in China across a range of industrial sectors combined with his deep scholarly understanding make this a uniquely insightful book. The insights are far more original and interesting than those of other studies in this field. Prof. Edward S. Steinfeld, Brown University: "The China Paradox, while offering an important framing narrative for understanding China's developmental trajectory, explains that narrative through fascinating firm-level examples and case-studies, ones that alone make the book an essential read for anybody trying to understand contemporary China. The China Paradox introduces fresh perspectives just when such new thinking - given the turbulent nature of our present moment globally - is most urgently needed." Prof. Anthony Saich, Harvard University: "Clifford's decades of engagement with China allows him to present the reader with a deeper understanding of the contradictory forces that have made the China of today. Can The China Paradox persist? His sobering analysis of the pros and cons make this a book worth reading for anyone with an interest in China's future trajectory and its potential impact on the world."

Paul G. Clifford, Non-resident Senior Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School, and President, Paul G. Clifford & Associates