Classics Considered

Xi Jinping: The Backlash – A Very Brief Review

Xi Jinping: The Backlash is a succinct overview (~115 small pages) of Xi’s political attitude, CCP dynamics, and the relationship between China and the U.S. (plus Australia, Germany, and Singapore). Published in 2019, this little book includes very recent information plus references to Obama, Trump, and Biden that U.S. readers in particular will find intriguing. I would’ve liked to see more details on the Belt and Road, but due to the length of this book and its focus, I wasn’t necessarily expecting more on that topic. I would say CEO, China by Kerry Brown is still a better introduction to Xi since it explains similar topics in better depth for newbies. That said, this book includes some more recent examples that I found interesting, such as how Germany and Australia have reacted to China’s economic initiative.

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Marian

Responses

smellincoffee

May 22, 2020 at 8:29 am

This isn’t even one I’ve heard of! Thanks for mentioning it. Hope you’re still doing well, quarantine wise!

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1. Marian
  
  May 22, 2020 at 10:27 pm
  
  We’re hanging in there! 🙂 Just passed the 2-month milestone, and still at home…
  
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Carol

May 26, 2020 at 4:41 am

Ooh, interesting, especially with our stance on China recently. I’ll keep this in mind as we usually have an Asian focus each year. It might work for my daughter next year.

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1. Marian
  
  May 26, 2020 at 5:29 pm
  
  It was quite a coincidence…I finished this book the same day the news about Hong Kong came out, and so the newscasters were talking about exactly the same topics as this book. The parts about Australia you’d probably have better insights on than I did; in spite of my initial ignorance, I still found it really fascinating. 🙂 Would definitely pair this with Wikipedia articles though, as some of the names fly by quickly!
  
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Mudpuddle

May 28, 2020 at 9:03 pm

it seems to me that not very much about China, politically or socially, is known now… maybe the general public knows more about the Tang dynasty than they do about modern-day Peking… that book by Alastair indicated that outside of the major cities life hasn’t changed much for a very long time, which could well be true, i guess… it’s a strange place in many ways…

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1. Marian
  
  May 29, 2020 at 6:40 pm
  
  Yes, they do keep a tight lid on their society (and their politicians)… I have another book waiting to be read about the surveillance technology. I’ll probably need to take a break before I read it though, it’s pretty bleak stuff.
  
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Sharon Barrow Wilfong

May 31, 2020 at 7:17 pm

I find this topic interesting because my son currently lives in China. We keep in close touch, talking every day. He only has Chinese friends and has immersed himself as much as he can in the culture and the language. I guess for that reason I find myself feeling sympathy for China as individuals, rather than thinking about them on a governmental level. Even with the Covid Virus. So many Chinese are suffering for it as well.

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1. Marian
  
  May 31, 2020 at 8:08 pm
  
  Absolutely, Sharon! One thing this book mentioned is there are many Chinese who are critical of Xi, either in the Chinese diaspora or silently within the party. I really feel for them, and for the majority who I’m sure are just trying to live normal lives like everyone else.
  
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