Books like China's Great Wall of Debt — picked by fans

I have expertise and a passion for this theme, as I happen to have an ease in abstract mathematical thinking and an understanding of Keynesian economics. But in that, I appear to be an exception. Who am I? A normal, now retired businessman, who was reasonably successful. In the economic matters that I now write about, I find that I think “differently.” I therefore have refused any affiliation, so as to avoid indiscreet influence. I do not think I am a great person, but I do think that my writing is unique and worth attention. I tried to write in an easy style, so, dear reader, have a nice read.

I have expertise and a passion for this theme, as I happen to have an ease in abstract mathematical thinking and an understanding of Keynesian economics. But in that, I appear to be an exception. Who am I? A normal, now retired businessman, who was reasonably successful. In the economic matters that I now write about, I find that I think “differently.” I therefore have refused any affiliation, so as to avoid indiscreet influence. I do not think I am a great person, but I do think that my writing is unique and worth attention. I tried to write in an easy style, so, dear reader, have a nice read.

I have expertise and a passion for this theme, as I happen to have an ease in abstract mathematical thinking and an understanding of Keynesian economics. But in that, I appear to be an exception. Who am I? A normal, now retired businessman, who was reasonably successful. In the economic matters that I now write about, I find that I think “differently.” I therefore have refused any affiliation, so as to avoid indiscreet influence. I do not think I am a great person, but I do think that my writing is unique and worth attention. I tried to write in an easy style, so, dear reader, have a nice read.

I have expertise and a passion for this theme, as I happen to have an ease in abstract mathematical thinking and an understanding of Keynesian economics. But in that, I appear to be an exception. Who am I? A normal, now retired businessman, who was reasonably successful. In the economic matters that I now write about, I find that I think “differently.” I therefore have refused any affiliation, so as to avoid indiscreet influence. I do not think I am a great person, but I do think that my writing is unique and worth attention. I tried to write in an easy style, so, dear reader, have a nice read.

I’ve spent all of my adult life writing about American foreign policy, especially Chinese-American relations.  My America’s Response to China, the standard text on the subject, has gone through 6 editions. I served as a line officer in the Pacific Fleet, lived in Taipei and Beijing. I also served as chairman of the State Department Advisory Committee on Historical Diplomatic Documentation and have been a consultant on Chinese affairs to various government organizations. And I cook the best mapo toufu outside of Sichuan. (where I negotiated the Michigan-Sichuan sister-state relationship in 1982). It was probably my love of Chinese food that accounts for most of the above.

I’ve been fascinated by China from a young age, and I have always wanted to go there. In my thirties, after walking into a Daoist temple in Australia, I immediately felt at home. I was initiated into the Daoist tradition, then travelled to China. I spent nearly two decades living and travelling through the country. I married a Chinese national and felt I had married not just a person but a whole family! This propelled me into a deeper understanding of the culture. The books I’ve listed helped me to understand more: I hope you enjoy them too! 

My career has given me the chance to travel around China and see parts that most foreigners do not get to see. Having studied Chinese in Oxford and Taiwan, working in China for a metal trading company in the 1980s gave me a chance to travel widely around the country when access to foreigners–especially diplomats and journalists–was highly restricted. Later, I became an early investor in the domestic stock market, focusing on smaller, entrepreneurial companies, which involved a lot of travel. I have now visited nearly every province except Hainan. Planting a vineyard and building a Scottish castle in Shandong introduced me to rural China and the local Communist Party.

I’ve spent all of my adult life writing about American foreign policy, especially Chinese-American relations.  My America’s Response to China, the standard text on the subject, has gone through 6 editions. I served as a line officer in the Pacific Fleet, lived in Taipei and Beijing. I also served as chairman of the State Department Advisory Committee on Historical Diplomatic Documentation and have been a consultant on Chinese affairs to various government organizations. And I cook the best mapo toufu outside of Sichuan. (where I negotiated the Michigan-Sichuan sister-state relationship in 1982). It was probably my love of Chinese food that accounts for most of the above.

Yuan, born in a small town in Inner Mongolia, is a researcher and PhD candidate at Rutgers University. He is an expert on Chinese and East Asian studies. Yuan's research interests include Chinese foreign and domestic policy, Sino-US relations, and how the country utilizes its influence and fosters relationships. He received his MS in International Relations from Northeastern University and BA from Centre College. Yuan has written extensively on China and Chinese foreign policy.

I’ve been fascinated by China since 2000, when, as Silicon Valley Bank’s chief banking officer, I led a group of U.S. venture capitalists on a tour of that country. Since then, I’ve read everything I could about it. It’s a country of such contrasts and energy, and we in the West have misread it woefully. The Chinese people are funny, smart, driven, and delightful, while their rulers are bent on making the world safe for autocracy. These books help me understand the differences between these two groups and how they arose.