Rise of China: China's Policies on the Path to Great Power Status: Preface and Recommendation by Renowned Economist Wu Jinglian

Author: Zhang Jianjing
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-10-01
Features: Kong Shangren, the author of "The Peach Blossom Fan," described the rise and fall of human affairs as follows: "I saw him build high towers, I saw him entertain guests, I saw the towers collapse." A seemingly powerful force is often fragile; it cannot withstand an attack by a pandemic, an assault by a small band of barbarians, the death of a leader, or even withstand rumors. A monument to victory is built overnight, only to become a monument to failure the next moment. A nation sails on the river of time. For an emerging power, recognizing this is crucial. In the competition between nations, the defeated nation's failure is either because its system cannot produce enough power or because its system cannot produce control—sometimes one or the other, sometimes both. While having strong power is good, without control over that power, even the strongest power is not truly strong enough; while a force may be weak, if it can be controlled, a weak force will seek goals that align with its strength, thereby avoiding failure. For China in the 21st century, how to treat and use its newly acquired power is a life-and-death issue.