Monday, October 09, 2006

One Billion Customers - A book about China





Every time I visit my local library, I usually find something interesting to read. Two weeks ago, I was leisurely strolling down the "New Book" section and a book caught my attention, "One Billion Customers". At a glance, I thought it was a marketing book, but then the cover gave way to the content. It was about all mighty China.

The author James McGregor served as China Bureau Chief of The Wall Street Journal,and had personally stayed in China for extended period of time. He is very knowledgeable of Chinese culture, its government,it's people, and the modern history.

If we flash back of Chinese history, the imperial rule was a thread crossing through twisting, winding four thousand years war torn history. Throughout history, Chinese people were ruled under many changing dynasty of dictatorship. With the longest continuous civilization and great heritage, coupled with the oppression and obedience, Chinese were as proud as they were humble. They believed that they were the center of all nations,other surrounding nations were barbarians in Chinese viewpoint.

But the recent history wasn't as glorious though. China had suffered from defeat and humiliation for the last century due to the foreign intervention and its own corruption. But that was also a passing history now. Since world war II, things were changing rapidly. China has gone through many facets of transformations. In the early 1980, China dismantled collective farming and allow privatization, have gained admission of World Trade Organization. After stagnating under communist ruling, China is now the fast-growing economy. With a population of 1.3 billion, China represents the biggest consumer market in the world. This book provides lessons about how Chinese system works, what are dos and don'ts. It is entertaining as it is practical.

No comments:

Post a Comment