China: The Truth About Its Human Rights Record

by Frank Ching

With roughly 20 percent of the globe’s population and a booming economy, China’s international importance continues to grow rapidly. Yet for all its economic and international stature, this fascinating country remains politically unusual and complex, as many of its inhabitants are denied fundamental human rights. This powerfully written and incisive study throws light on the recent history and current status of China’s human rights policies. Covering issues ranging from the restrictions on speech and worship to the lack of freedom in the judicial, economic, public health, and environmental sectors, it provides a well-informed look at the social limits placed on the citizens of this vast state.

Genres: China, History, Nonfiction

120 pages, Paperback

First published August 5, 2008

Reviews

[Mabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was torn between giving this a rating of 3 or 4. On the one hand, it covers a lot of ground in few pages, but the main tradeoff is the depth of the author's arguments. It was more of a fleeting visit across a range of topics, good for point by point understanding but less so for a salient argument. Perhaps because this is such an expansive topic, I would have wanted more practical solutions and an exploration into them.

[Jade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some great and factual content here, which provides a real eye-opener to China's deficiencies as a protector and practitioner of human rights in the way that western civilisations generally attribute them. However it felt more like any angry pamphlet or essay to me than a detailed argument. Yes I agree with the sentiments of this book and evidence was given, but it was all a bit too short and 'bitchy' for me to get my teeth into. Still if you don't want a massive read and need a quick update it provides a valuable addition to other historical literature on China.

[Galatea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, sweet, and to the point. A pretty good primer on the state of Chinese human rights you could read in a day, and great if not for the fact that I read it 13 years after publication.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great essay on a multitude of aspects of China and its dominion through a historical and current time comparison.