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India's China Challenge: A Journey through China's Rise and What It Means for India
Ananth Krishnan first moved to China in the summer of 2008. In the years that followed, he had a ringside view of the country's remarkable transformation. He reported from Beijing for a decade, for the India Today and The Hindu. This gave him a privileged opportunity that few Indians have had - to travel the length and breadth of the country, beyond the glitzy skyscrapers of Shanghai and the grand avenues of Beijing that greet most tourists, to the heart of China's rise. This book is Krishnan's attempt at unpacking India's China challenge, which is four-fold: the political challenge of dealing with a one-party state that is looking to increasingly shape global institutions; the military challenge of managing an unresolved border; the economic challenge of both learning from China's remarkable and unique growth story and building a closer relationship; and the conceptual challenge of changing how we think about and engage with our most important neighbour. India's China Challenge tells the story of a complex political relationship, and how China - and its leading opinion-makers - view India. It looks at the economic dimensions and cultural connect, and the internal political and social transformations in China that continue to shape both the country's future and its relations with India.
420 pages, Hardcover
Published September 30, 2020
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April 7, 2022
'It does not matter if the Communist Party's leadership changes - the economy has to keep growing if the Party wants to keep power,' he said. 'One character of the Chinese people is that they don't care about high-level political fights, but they care about their livelihood.'
India's China Challenge by Ananth Krishnan is a book written with a 360 degree view of Chinese geopolitics and policies. It is a comparative study of where India and China meet and digress. The book is divided into 6 parts, ranging from economy, politics, history to portraits of some of the Chinese and their connection with India.
The lesson Xi seems to have learnt from his father's story may seem counterintuitive. Institutionalizing the exercise of political power is not seen as the answer to curbing its excesses. Wielding it is. And since taking over as the general secretary of the Party in November 2012, Xi has proved far more adept and skillful than his predecessors, Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao, in exercising power.
This is not the first book you should read on China, because there is a lot of name-dropping without any explanation of what it was (of course, you can Google). For example, Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution are disasters (depends on how you look at it) created by Mao but nowhere in the book are these terms explained. It also glosses over some important events in Chinese history including the protests at Tiananmen Square in 1989 but does not delve deep into them. But, overall the book is a treat.
At the heart of the India-China strategic dilemma is a fundamental difference in how the two countries see each other, and their place in the world. India sees China as an equal. And Chinese strategic thinkers resent that notion. In fact, they see it as somewhat insulting that the Indian strategic elite dare to think of themselves as being at par with a five-times-larger economy and a country that spends at least four times more on its military. For many Chinese strategists, it is the Indian reluctance to acknowledge this power differential that is at the heart of the multiple problems confronting the relationship. For Indian strategists, in turn, it is the fear that the country will be forced to acquiesce to China's regional dominance which poses the greatest concern. The debate about the BRI, and India's role in it, was just one example of this worry.
I liked the below parts of the book:
- The way the different leadership styles of various Chinese Premiers were explained.
- The experience/memoir-ish parts from the author's experiences in China.
- The economy section which talks about Chinese investments in Indian startups and the manufacturing boom.
- The ghosts of the 1962 Indo-China war
- Tibet, Hong Kong and Uighur Muslims
- The final section, Portraits, through which I learnt so much!
- And finally, on how can India and China see the middle ground and work toghether
If it's foolhardy to predict China's future, one thing that 2020 has reminded us, perhaps not in the most ideal way, is how the country impacts our lives. It shouldn't have to take crises to tell us that, but alas, we in India don't otherwise seem to pay enough close attention to our biggest neighbor, whose political, economic and social transformations will continue to affect our lives, in ways we might not always realize.
India's China Challenge by Ananth Krishnan is a book written with a 360 degree view of Chinese geopolitics and policies. It is a comparative study of where India and China meet and digress. The book is divided into 6 parts, ranging from economy, politics, history to portraits of some of the Chinese and their connection with India.
The lesson Xi seems to have learnt from his father's story may seem counterintuitive. Institutionalizing the exercise of political power is not seen as the answer to curbing its excesses. Wielding it is. And since taking over as the general secretary of the Party in November 2012, Xi has proved far more adept and skillful than his predecessors, Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao, in exercising power.
This is not the first book you should read on China, because there is a lot of name-dropping without any explanation of what it was (of course, you can Google). For example, Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution are disasters (depends on how you look at it) created by Mao but nowhere in the book are these terms explained. It also glosses over some important events in Chinese history including the protests at Tiananmen Square in 1989 but does not delve deep into them. But, overall the book is a treat.
At the heart of the India-China strategic dilemma is a fundamental difference in how the two countries see each other, and their place in the world. India sees China as an equal. And Chinese strategic thinkers resent that notion. In fact, they see it as somewhat insulting that the Indian strategic elite dare to think of themselves as being at par with a five-times-larger economy and a country that spends at least four times more on its military. For many Chinese strategists, it is the Indian reluctance to acknowledge this power differential that is at the heart of the multiple problems confronting the relationship. For Indian strategists, in turn, it is the fear that the country will be forced to acquiesce to China's regional dominance which poses the greatest concern. The debate about the BRI, and India's role in it, was just one example of this worry.
I liked the below parts of the book:
- The way the different leadership styles of various Chinese Premiers were explained.
- The experience/memoir-ish parts from the author's experiences in China.
- The economy section which talks about Chinese investments in Indian startups and the manufacturing boom.
- The ghosts of the 1962 Indo-China war
- Tibet, Hong Kong and Uighur Muslims
- The final section, Portraits, through which I learnt so much!
- And finally, on how can India and China see the middle ground and work toghether
If it's foolhardy to predict China's future, one thing that 2020 has reminded us, perhaps not in the most ideal way, is how the country impacts our lives. It shouldn't have to take crises to tell us that, but alas, we in India don't otherwise seem to pay enough close attention to our biggest neighbor, whose political, economic and social transformations will continue to affect our lives, in ways we might not always realize.
October 12, 2020
Writing a book on China is fraught with several challenges due to contemporary Indian and world affairs. The Pandemic has changed the equation and to present an objective book which is grounded in reality is a challenge in itself. Yet Ananth Krishnan succeeds surprisingly.
The book is part travelogue and has first hand interviews of several people right from the common men to power players at the top. Since the inception of China in the year 1949 the political landscape has consistently shifted like tectonic plates. He lays the foundation by tracing the change of communist China under Mao Zedong, to the economic liberalisation under Deng Xiaoping and finally the new Chinese Order under Xi Jinping.
The Most powerful leader since Mao Zedong, has created a vision insisting the success of a unique socio-economic system which is followed in China and actively voicing it as an option for political and economic structure. China’s economy both its manufacturing and recently its digital services industry has achieved rapid achievement in the past 40 years.
The author points out that the success of China is beyond the widely perceived reason of cheap labour cost. He points out that the success would not have been possible without strong human capital both investment in education and healthcare at the grassroots level. He further writes that the success of the Chinese companies does not lie in centralised approach but due to successive delegation at the local level and competition among similar units - be it provinces or organisations.
He documents the evolution of Sino-Indian relations and their bitter rivalry from the Chinese aggression over India in 1962. Deriving from rich literature which the author has quoted in key paragraphs presents that the loss in war was a result of India’s failure in many accounts and tries to stay away from being too judgemental in stating that the border issues were a cumulative resultant of mistakes committed from either side.
China would soon surpass the USA as the largest economy in the world but it does not mean that the country does not encounter problems. The five times larger than India economy faces the threat of debt burden and negative perception created across the world regarding the way the Belt and Road Initiative projects are financed.
Similar to India, China’s ability to grasp its diversity is problematic as China tries to enforce a strict blanket of uniformity across all regions which has triggered backlash in the Deserts of Xinjian to the Plateau of Tibet to the island of Hong Kong. Studying China is essential for India not only to counter them but also to learn their best practices which can be implemented.
This book should find a place on your shelf if you are an avid reader of international affairs.
The book is part travelogue and has first hand interviews of several people right from the common men to power players at the top. Since the inception of China in the year 1949 the political landscape has consistently shifted like tectonic plates. He lays the foundation by tracing the change of communist China under Mao Zedong, to the economic liberalisation under Deng Xiaoping and finally the new Chinese Order under Xi Jinping.
The Most powerful leader since Mao Zedong, has created a vision insisting the success of a unique socio-economic system which is followed in China and actively voicing it as an option for political and economic structure. China’s economy both its manufacturing and recently its digital services industry has achieved rapid achievement in the past 40 years.
The author points out that the success of China is beyond the widely perceived reason of cheap labour cost. He points out that the success would not have been possible without strong human capital both investment in education and healthcare at the grassroots level. He further writes that the success of the Chinese companies does not lie in centralised approach but due to successive delegation at the local level and competition among similar units - be it provinces or organisations.
He documents the evolution of Sino-Indian relations and their bitter rivalry from the Chinese aggression over India in 1962. Deriving from rich literature which the author has quoted in key paragraphs presents that the loss in war was a result of India’s failure in many accounts and tries to stay away from being too judgemental in stating that the border issues were a cumulative resultant of mistakes committed from either side.
China would soon surpass the USA as the largest economy in the world but it does not mean that the country does not encounter problems. The five times larger than India economy faces the threat of debt burden and negative perception created across the world regarding the way the Belt and Road Initiative projects are financed.
Similar to India, China’s ability to grasp its diversity is problematic as China tries to enforce a strict blanket of uniformity across all regions which has triggered backlash in the Deserts of Xinjian to the Plateau of Tibet to the island of Hong Kong. Studying China is essential for India not only to counter them but also to learn their best practices which can be implemented.
This book should find a place on your shelf if you are an avid reader of international affairs.
December 27, 2024
India's China challenge is one of those books where the author directly apprised not only the Kumbhkarans of India about one of its most important and mighty neighbors. But it also presented to the reader an incredible story of a country whose civilization is as old as India's. A must-read book.
A nation whose presence can be easily seen in any Indian household. In fact, even from a toddler to an old age person. None can escape from its omnipresent gaze. And here, I'm not talking about the favorite pastime of Indian citizens and its media, i.e., Pakistan. But, a state whose products and services became a part of the Indian lifestyle. And that country is none other than the People's Republic of China (PRC).
In India, you will find people in every nook and corner who are more than eager to share with you their too many thoughts about Pakistan. But, at the same time, if you ask them what they think about China, Then, there are high chances that the majority of them will remain mum. The latter country is not only remaining an enigma for the general public, but at the same time, Indian politicians, journalists, and bureaucrats also find themselves in the same league with their compatriots.
Although these two ancient civilizations had fought a war in 1962. Not only this, but the border dispute between these two Asian giants remains unresolved to date. And with all of this in mind, let's see what India's China challenge tells us about this nation, its history, its people, and the various challenges it poses to India.
What is India's China Challenge by Ananth Krishnan?
India's China challenge, A journey through China's rise and what it means for India tells us the real story of a nation that became not only the world's second-largest economy. But, at the same time, trying to displace the United States of America as a global leader through their own model, i.e., the 'Chinese model.'.
And this rise of PRC put India in a difficult situation. The challenges are manifold, be they political, economic, diplomatic, or military. In fact, as the saying goes, an elephant has two sets of teeth. One to show, and the other one to eat. The author presented to the reader both sides of China. Although we are often mesmerized by the outer layer rather than what happens inside.
The author of this book spent a decade in China. And that's rare for an Indian journalist. In fact, he travelled to places as far as Xinjiang to the roof of the world, Tibet. He interacted with people of all shades while living there.
In layman's language, he presented the story. That's the best part of this book. I strongly recommend this book to those Indians who want to remove their ignorance about China and its people.
A chaotic beginning—
After fighting a brutal civil war, in October 1949, the leader of the Communist Party of China (CCP), Mao Zedong, announced the formation of the People's Republic of China (PRC). Two years after India gained its independence in August 1947.
Although, within a few years of its formation, Chairman Mao announced the policy of the Great Leap Forward (1958-62). People were ordered to build furnaces to produce steel. Farmers left their farms, workers left their jobs, and the whole nation started producing steel in the hope that they would become the world's largest steel-producing nation.
In fact, from farm tools to hairpins, everything that contained an iota of metal was burnt to produce metal. And this proved disastrous not only for the people but also for the nation as a whole. The steel they produced was of unusable quality. And because farmers left their farms untended, this gave rise to another unforeseen disaster.
The Great Leap Forward gave rise to the Great Famine of China (1962-66). In this famine millions of Chinese were starved to death. In fact, there were reports of people who survived by consuming dead bodies of humans.
Although, even after committing these avoidable blunders, Mao decided to shake the Chinese society once more. He started the Cultural Revolution (1966-76). And in this revolution there is nothing that can be qualified as culture. In fact, it gave rise to something unexpected. Students of schools and universities were at the forefront of the cultural revolution. They came to be known as the infamous 'Red Guards.'.
During the time of the cultural revolution, students not only humiliated their teachers, but they were also beaten up. Some of them were tortured to death. The ancient manuscripts and artifacts of the Chinese Buddhist past were burnt and destroyed. All of this continued unabated until the death of Chairman Mao in 1976.
Some of you might be thinking that even after all of this chaos, how can the PRC become the second-largest economy in the world and a global manufacturing hub, isn't it? The man who made all of this possible will be discussed too.
But, during this chaos, the Communist Party of China under the leadership of Chairman Mao also initiated several land reforms. And they also worked on the education and health care of the people of China's countryside, which later proved to be a boon for the rise of this nation.
In fact, the Indian economy and the Chinese economy were almost at the same level until the 1980s. But, within a few decades, the Chinese economy rose to an unprecedented level. And the gap between the two became too large.The man who was behind this Chinese success was Deng Xiaoping, Mao's successor.
And before we discuss Deng, we need to understand the most important difference between the Chinese political system and its counterpart, India.
An authoritarian, one-party, communist state vs. a multiparty, chaotic democracy -
In 1921, the Communist Party of China (CCP) came into its being. Almost three decades before the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. In fact, one of the most important arms of the CCP is the People's Liberation Army (PLA).
And the PLA is very different from the armies of other nations. Because, other than safeguarding the territorial integrity and sovereignty of China, another objective of this army is to protect the CCP. Unlike armies of other states, which are loyal towards their respective countries, the PLA is the army of the CCP. The survival of the latter is the topmost priority of the former.
Now, let's look at India. A multiparty democracy. Although, after the Indian independence, the Indian National Congress (INC) dominated the politics and policies of India for almost five decades, both in the center as well as in several Indian states. But, because of the presence of several different political parties, a one-party system never appeared as a remote possibility in India.
Other than this, the Indian Army is the arm of the Indian nation. They don't represent any Indian political party, be it the INC or its ideological rival, the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP). The survival, the safety, and the territorial integrity of India and its people are the only objectives of the Indian Armed Forces.
In a nutshell, in China, the Communist Party is the only God, who's not only omnipotent but also omnipresent. And in India, there are too many political voices. That's why it's known as a chaotic democracy.
The Chinese Roar -
Mao Zedong ruled over China with an iron fist. The total control over the mind of its people was one of his topmost priorities. And he did that ruthlessly. Although this one-man show ended with his death in 1976. The man who replaced him was Deng Xiaoping. And the latter realized the gravity of the situation.
Deng initiated the economic reforms, and he opened the Chinese economy to the world. In fact, rather than the top-led approach, it was a bottom-up approach. The state provided the necessary capital, and the Chinese farmers grabbed that with both hands. A communist country started working with the capital. And they did it through thick and thin.
Manufacturing industries started mushrooming in the coastal areas of China, especially in the eastern and the southern parts of China. The village-level entrepreneurs gave more fillip to this approach.
In fact, various provinces of China started competing amongst themselves for the investment. They all offered good deals to the investors. And the latter enjoyed that. And the results of this approach are in front of us, At present, China is a 14 trillion US dollar economy. The Chinese economy is five times larger than that of the Indian economy. It uplifted millions of Chinese citizens out of poverty. It ended absolute poverty in China. That's why today they are roaring like a tiger.
Although, in 1991, the then Prime Minister of India, P. V. Narasimha Rao, also opened up the Indian economy. And it showed results too. Today, India is the sixth largest economy. But it was a top-led approach. The Indian system where files keep moving for years makes life too difficult for the investors and entrepreneurs alike.
In fact, the blunder that India committed while opening up its economy is that it directly jumped from agriculture to services. In between we missed the most important part, i.e., the manufacturing. Even today we are repeating the same mistakes that we did decades ago.
Although, in China, no one can challenge the writ of the Party. And in India, it's like a puzzle. The priorities and the goals are not clear. And by invoking jingoism, the Indian political parties are making sure that life will remain the same for the multitudes of Indian citizens.
In fact, it's ironic that the Indian rigid system is making sure that the poor will remain poor, and the rich will become super-rich. And this needs to be challenged. Especially when we see our northern neighbor.
The border dispute between the elephant and the dragon—
The contentious issue that acts like a thorn between India and China is the border dispute. Although this is the legacy of the history that both countries inherited from the British imperialists.
This border dispute can be divided into three sectors: the western sector, the middle sector, and the eastern sector.
The western sector comprises the dispute in Ladakh, where India claims Aksai China as its inalienable part.
The middle sector is in the states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand; this is the least disputed between these two countries.
The eastern sector comprises the dispute around the McMahon Line, precisely in and around the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims as theirs, as an extension of Tibet. In fact, the Chinese term it as Southern Tibet.
Although, because of the border dispute, India and China had fought a war in 1962. Other than this, the recent clash between the soldiers of both the states in June 2020, in the Galwan Valley, where India lost its twenty brave soldiers and the Chinese soldiers suffered casualties too, but their numbers are still unclear.
And in today's China, under the leadership of Xi Jinping, the era of the one-man show comes back again. Like Mao, he is not only in full control over the CCP and PLA. But he also believes in flexing the Chinese power. That's what he's doing. And the incidents like Galwan are just the tip of the iceberg.
In fact, Deng Xiaoping believed in the maxim of, Hide your strength and bide your time. While Xi Jinping believes it's the right time when China shows its strength and says to the world that it's their time.
Although, if we look at the history, there was a time when the Chinese leadership offered to swap the territory. In the 1960s and 1980s, the then Chinese premier Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping offered to accept the status quo in the eastern sector if India gave up its claim in the western sector in toto. But the first PM of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, rejected this proposal outright. And neither did the first woman PM of India, Indira Gandhi, accept this proposal of Deng Xiaoping. And the issue still persists to date. In fact, giving up even an inch of Indian territory would be tantamount to political harakiri in today's India.
Although it requires strong willpower and a realistic approach from the leadership of both nations if they want to resolve this border dispute. The more we prolong this issue, the more the consequences of this will prove to be too bitter for the people of India and China.
The way forward—
How can India tackle a rising China? That's the most important question, which should be the top priority of not only the Union Government of India but also the responsibility of the Indian states.
And the answer to this query is multilayered. First and foremost, we need to understand China and its history. In fact, in China reading Rabindranath Tagore is part of the curriculum of Chinese schools. And in India, do we read about any Chinese philosophers? The answer is No. So, we need to fix the basics first. Introducing Chinese history in Indian schools and later in universities should become a part of our education system. Better late than never.
Second, India needs to work on the human capital. Imparting skills to the Indian students should be compulsory. A student with a degree but no skills is just like a human without a compass in the ocean. Sooner than later he or she will find themself lost in the vastness of the ocean.
Third, the Union Government and the hyperactive people of India need to understand that in today's era of social media and internet penetration, rhetoric won't help. Instead of doing hyperbole on Twitter, Facebook, and WhatsApp, we need to make our lethargic and unaccountable bureaucracy accountable. Especially our UPSC valas IAS and IPS officials, who after passing this exam consider themselves as demigods. Our motto should be, Fix the system first, rest afterwards!
Fourth, the Union government should encourage the people-to-people contact between these two nations. The more we visit and travel to the length and breadth of China, the more we apprize ourselves of the people of this country, which is as diverse as India.
Fifth, there should be collaboration between the Indian and the Chinese universities. Although language is a barrier, that can be managed too.
Sixth, the central government should encourage the various Indian state governments to visit China and bring investment and set up manufacturing industries in their respective states. Made in India and made by Indians should be our goal.
Seventh, after completing the graduation, there should be an option in front of the Indian students to serve in the various arms of the Indian Armed Forces. Three to five years of work in the army will not only help the students in developing a resilient attitude, but it will also prove to be a boon for the nation during unforeseen circumstances.
And most importantly, the Indian government needs to ensure that wherever and whenever India signs a contract for developmental work with another nation, especially in our neighborhood, Then, that project should be finished on time.
Let me conclude with this bon mot,
Less rhetoric, more work. For India and Indians, no challenge is too big. Because the sky is the limit!
I hope you like this. Thanks for reading. Jai Hind.
A nation whose presence can be easily seen in any Indian household. In fact, even from a toddler to an old age person. None can escape from its omnipresent gaze. And here, I'm not talking about the favorite pastime of Indian citizens and its media, i.e., Pakistan. But, a state whose products and services became a part of the Indian lifestyle. And that country is none other than the People's Republic of China (PRC).
In India, you will find people in every nook and corner who are more than eager to share with you their too many thoughts about Pakistan. But, at the same time, if you ask them what they think about China, Then, there are high chances that the majority of them will remain mum. The latter country is not only remaining an enigma for the general public, but at the same time, Indian politicians, journalists, and bureaucrats also find themselves in the same league with their compatriots.
Although these two ancient civilizations had fought a war in 1962. Not only this, but the border dispute between these two Asian giants remains unresolved to date. And with all of this in mind, let's see what India's China challenge tells us about this nation, its history, its people, and the various challenges it poses to India.
What is India's China Challenge by Ananth Krishnan?
India's China challenge, A journey through China's rise and what it means for India tells us the real story of a nation that became not only the world's second-largest economy. But, at the same time, trying to displace the United States of America as a global leader through their own model, i.e., the 'Chinese model.'.
And this rise of PRC put India in a difficult situation. The challenges are manifold, be they political, economic, diplomatic, or military. In fact, as the saying goes, an elephant has two sets of teeth. One to show, and the other one to eat. The author presented to the reader both sides of China. Although we are often mesmerized by the outer layer rather than what happens inside.
The author of this book spent a decade in China. And that's rare for an Indian journalist. In fact, he travelled to places as far as Xinjiang to the roof of the world, Tibet. He interacted with people of all shades while living there.
In layman's language, he presented the story. That's the best part of this book. I strongly recommend this book to those Indians who want to remove their ignorance about China and its people.
A chaotic beginning—
After fighting a brutal civil war, in October 1949, the leader of the Communist Party of China (CCP), Mao Zedong, announced the formation of the People's Republic of China (PRC). Two years after India gained its independence in August 1947.
Although, within a few years of its formation, Chairman Mao announced the policy of the Great Leap Forward (1958-62). People were ordered to build furnaces to produce steel. Farmers left their farms, workers left their jobs, and the whole nation started producing steel in the hope that they would become the world's largest steel-producing nation.
In fact, from farm tools to hairpins, everything that contained an iota of metal was burnt to produce metal. And this proved disastrous not only for the people but also for the nation as a whole. The steel they produced was of unusable quality. And because farmers left their farms untended, this gave rise to another unforeseen disaster.
The Great Leap Forward gave rise to the Great Famine of China (1962-66). In this famine millions of Chinese were starved to death. In fact, there were reports of people who survived by consuming dead bodies of humans.
Although, even after committing these avoidable blunders, Mao decided to shake the Chinese society once more. He started the Cultural Revolution (1966-76). And in this revolution there is nothing that can be qualified as culture. In fact, it gave rise to something unexpected. Students of schools and universities were at the forefront of the cultural revolution. They came to be known as the infamous 'Red Guards.'.
During the time of the cultural revolution, students not only humiliated their teachers, but they were also beaten up. Some of them were tortured to death. The ancient manuscripts and artifacts of the Chinese Buddhist past were burnt and destroyed. All of this continued unabated until the death of Chairman Mao in 1976.
Some of you might be thinking that even after all of this chaos, how can the PRC become the second-largest economy in the world and a global manufacturing hub, isn't it? The man who made all of this possible will be discussed too.
But, during this chaos, the Communist Party of China under the leadership of Chairman Mao also initiated several land reforms. And they also worked on the education and health care of the people of China's countryside, which later proved to be a boon for the rise of this nation.
In fact, the Indian economy and the Chinese economy were almost at the same level until the 1980s. But, within a few decades, the Chinese economy rose to an unprecedented level. And the gap between the two became too large.The man who was behind this Chinese success was Deng Xiaoping, Mao's successor.
And before we discuss Deng, we need to understand the most important difference between the Chinese political system and its counterpart, India.
An authoritarian, one-party, communist state vs. a multiparty, chaotic democracy -
In 1921, the Communist Party of China (CCP) came into its being. Almost three decades before the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. In fact, one of the most important arms of the CCP is the People's Liberation Army (PLA).
And the PLA is very different from the armies of other nations. Because, other than safeguarding the territorial integrity and sovereignty of China, another objective of this army is to protect the CCP. Unlike armies of other states, which are loyal towards their respective countries, the PLA is the army of the CCP. The survival of the latter is the topmost priority of the former.
Now, let's look at India. A multiparty democracy. Although, after the Indian independence, the Indian National Congress (INC) dominated the politics and policies of India for almost five decades, both in the center as well as in several Indian states. But, because of the presence of several different political parties, a one-party system never appeared as a remote possibility in India.
Other than this, the Indian Army is the arm of the Indian nation. They don't represent any Indian political party, be it the INC or its ideological rival, the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP). The survival, the safety, and the territorial integrity of India and its people are the only objectives of the Indian Armed Forces.
In a nutshell, in China, the Communist Party is the only God, who's not only omnipotent but also omnipresent. And in India, there are too many political voices. That's why it's known as a chaotic democracy.
The Chinese Roar -
Mao Zedong ruled over China with an iron fist. The total control over the mind of its people was one of his topmost priorities. And he did that ruthlessly. Although this one-man show ended with his death in 1976. The man who replaced him was Deng Xiaoping. And the latter realized the gravity of the situation.
Deng initiated the economic reforms, and he opened the Chinese economy to the world. In fact, rather than the top-led approach, it was a bottom-up approach. The state provided the necessary capital, and the Chinese farmers grabbed that with both hands. A communist country started working with the capital. And they did it through thick and thin.
Manufacturing industries started mushrooming in the coastal areas of China, especially in the eastern and the southern parts of China. The village-level entrepreneurs gave more fillip to this approach.
In fact, various provinces of China started competing amongst themselves for the investment. They all offered good deals to the investors. And the latter enjoyed that. And the results of this approach are in front of us, At present, China is a 14 trillion US dollar economy. The Chinese economy is five times larger than that of the Indian economy. It uplifted millions of Chinese citizens out of poverty. It ended absolute poverty in China. That's why today they are roaring like a tiger.
Although, in 1991, the then Prime Minister of India, P. V. Narasimha Rao, also opened up the Indian economy. And it showed results too. Today, India is the sixth largest economy. But it was a top-led approach. The Indian system where files keep moving for years makes life too difficult for the investors and entrepreneurs alike.
In fact, the blunder that India committed while opening up its economy is that it directly jumped from agriculture to services. In between we missed the most important part, i.e., the manufacturing. Even today we are repeating the same mistakes that we did decades ago.
Although, in China, no one can challenge the writ of the Party. And in India, it's like a puzzle. The priorities and the goals are not clear. And by invoking jingoism, the Indian political parties are making sure that life will remain the same for the multitudes of Indian citizens.
In fact, it's ironic that the Indian rigid system is making sure that the poor will remain poor, and the rich will become super-rich. And this needs to be challenged. Especially when we see our northern neighbor.
The border dispute between the elephant and the dragon—
The contentious issue that acts like a thorn between India and China is the border dispute. Although this is the legacy of the history that both countries inherited from the British imperialists.
This border dispute can be divided into three sectors: the western sector, the middle sector, and the eastern sector.
The western sector comprises the dispute in Ladakh, where India claims Aksai China as its inalienable part.
The middle sector is in the states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand; this is the least disputed between these two countries.
The eastern sector comprises the dispute around the McMahon Line, precisely in and around the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims as theirs, as an extension of Tibet. In fact, the Chinese term it as Southern Tibet.
Although, because of the border dispute, India and China had fought a war in 1962. Other than this, the recent clash between the soldiers of both the states in June 2020, in the Galwan Valley, where India lost its twenty brave soldiers and the Chinese soldiers suffered casualties too, but their numbers are still unclear.
And in today's China, under the leadership of Xi Jinping, the era of the one-man show comes back again. Like Mao, he is not only in full control over the CCP and PLA. But he also believes in flexing the Chinese power. That's what he's doing. And the incidents like Galwan are just the tip of the iceberg.
In fact, Deng Xiaoping believed in the maxim of, Hide your strength and bide your time. While Xi Jinping believes it's the right time when China shows its strength and says to the world that it's their time.
Although, if we look at the history, there was a time when the Chinese leadership offered to swap the territory. In the 1960s and 1980s, the then Chinese premier Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping offered to accept the status quo in the eastern sector if India gave up its claim in the western sector in toto. But the first PM of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, rejected this proposal outright. And neither did the first woman PM of India, Indira Gandhi, accept this proposal of Deng Xiaoping. And the issue still persists to date. In fact, giving up even an inch of Indian territory would be tantamount to political harakiri in today's India.
Although it requires strong willpower and a realistic approach from the leadership of both nations if they want to resolve this border dispute. The more we prolong this issue, the more the consequences of this will prove to be too bitter for the people of India and China.
The way forward—
How can India tackle a rising China? That's the most important question, which should be the top priority of not only the Union Government of India but also the responsibility of the Indian states.
And the answer to this query is multilayered. First and foremost, we need to understand China and its history. In fact, in China reading Rabindranath Tagore is part of the curriculum of Chinese schools. And in India, do we read about any Chinese philosophers? The answer is No. So, we need to fix the basics first. Introducing Chinese history in Indian schools and later in universities should become a part of our education system. Better late than never.
Second, India needs to work on the human capital. Imparting skills to the Indian students should be compulsory. A student with a degree but no skills is just like a human without a compass in the ocean. Sooner than later he or she will find themself lost in the vastness of the ocean.
Third, the Union Government and the hyperactive people of India need to understand that in today's era of social media and internet penetration, rhetoric won't help. Instead of doing hyperbole on Twitter, Facebook, and WhatsApp, we need to make our lethargic and unaccountable bureaucracy accountable. Especially our UPSC valas IAS and IPS officials, who after passing this exam consider themselves as demigods. Our motto should be, Fix the system first, rest afterwards!
Fourth, the Union government should encourage the people-to-people contact between these two nations. The more we visit and travel to the length and breadth of China, the more we apprize ourselves of the people of this country, which is as diverse as India.
Fifth, there should be collaboration between the Indian and the Chinese universities. Although language is a barrier, that can be managed too.
Sixth, the central government should encourage the various Indian state governments to visit China and bring investment and set up manufacturing industries in their respective states. Made in India and made by Indians should be our goal.
Seventh, after completing the graduation, there should be an option in front of the Indian students to serve in the various arms of the Indian Armed Forces. Three to five years of work in the army will not only help the students in developing a resilient attitude, but it will also prove to be a boon for the nation during unforeseen circumstances.
And most importantly, the Indian government needs to ensure that wherever and whenever India signs a contract for developmental work with another nation, especially in our neighborhood, Then, that project should be finished on time.
Let me conclude with this bon mot,
Less rhetoric, more work. For India and Indians, no challenge is too big. Because the sky is the limit!
I hope you like this. Thanks for reading. Jai Hind.
June 16, 2021
Until reading this book I haven’t read any book about China let alone their relationship with India. Like most Indians, much of my views on China are bits and pieces picked from random sources then stitched together by adding my own imagination. Most of them are far from true. Despite being a country that touches our everyday life more than any other country in the world, China invokes a lot of hate among India, probably after Pakistan. Our view about China is dominated by cheap plastic and kung fu. This book opens the eye. Anantha Krishna takes us into China – Its history, present and a partial future. It explains the modern history and struggle of China to become what it is today. It's not about a detailed explanation of events arranged in timeline, rather the book touches upon every aspect of China. Few chapters are devoted to the friction between India and China. For me they remain the most neutral opinion a writer from either country can give. The careful narration style coupled with equally careful choice of subjects make this book a worth reading , probably used as an introductory gateway to dive deep into the subject. Overall, it’s a worthwhile book to spend time on understanding Modern China and what it means to the modern world.
December 26, 2022
An interesting read. The author having stayed in Beijing for over a decade adds much realism to the way he covers things. Good insight into many contemporary issues such as Border dispute, Uyghurs, Bollywood, Cricket etc. A must read for all China watchers.
June 1, 2021
If you have any questions about/on china and that quest about what actually happens in china behind what is seen in western media.....then you are on the right track in picking up this book. I can't thank much enough to my friend who suggested this book to me and to the one and only " Ananth krishnan" who gave a glimpse on unimaginable china.
April 16, 2024
The first part of Krishnan's book initially made me think this would be another journalists attempt to explain China to their audience, but he more than made up for it through the last four parts. What a fascinating new way for me to look China's relationship with another great power.
I think every person interested in China (or India) in the West should take some time to familiarize themselves with the India-China relationship, it is deep, complex, and going to be very important in the future.
I think every person interested in China (or India) in the West should take some time to familiarize themselves with the India-China relationship, it is deep, complex, and going to be very important in the future.
March 1, 2021
Readable. But it does not go beyond journalism. I did not find it insightful. There is no central idea/thesis that holds together the book. Some vignettes from the Author's decade long stay in China as a reporter.
November 8, 2020
This book is to first unlearn about China and then learn about it from so many varied angles.
April 3, 2021
Most Indians believe that 'Made in China' means a poor quality product. The border skirmishes with China and the ensuing hypernationalistic media attention do not give scope for a deeper study. Our understanding of the world's second largest economy is very primitive and generalistic. In such a scenario, this book is a revelation. Credit to the author for putting out facts and analyses in a very crisp manner. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book, especially the first three chapters on Politics, Economy and Diplomacy. Despite the completely different political systems in India and China, it was surprising to see that many issues are common such as rural-urban divide, corruption, negative externalities of industrialisation, etc. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in understanding our northern neighbour.
August 20, 2021
The rise of China, especially after the coronavirus pandemic, has posed a new challenge in front of the world. India is at the receiving end of such rise, which has resulted into the Chinese aggression at border and massive exports to India.
Thus, comes India's China Challenge.
How did China, a third-world country at par with India in 1950s, rise suddenly? How has China transformed itself and put 'China Model' in front of the world?
The answer lies in this book.
Well-researched, this book covers the aspects of China's polity, economy, history, military, and diplomacy. Barring polity, India can learn - and not learn - so much from China.
Major is the reforms in agriculture. China brought agriculture reforms as early as the 1980s. While India never touched this sector before 2020, despite the fact that it gives employment to over 50% population but contributes to just 17% in economy.
Another one is how to bring investment. China's commissioners are assessed on the criteria of how much investment they brought. Zhejiang province was the first one to industrialise itself and made it a production hub. Success of Yiwu market should set an example in India.
Other important are infrastructure development, military advances, foreign policy, and many more. This book is a good read to understand India's China Challenge.
Thus, comes India's China Challenge.
How did China, a third-world country at par with India in 1950s, rise suddenly? How has China transformed itself and put 'China Model' in front of the world?
The answer lies in this book.
Well-researched, this book covers the aspects of China's polity, economy, history, military, and diplomacy. Barring polity, India can learn - and not learn - so much from China.
Major is the reforms in agriculture. China brought agriculture reforms as early as the 1980s. While India never touched this sector before 2020, despite the fact that it gives employment to over 50% population but contributes to just 17% in economy.
Another one is how to bring investment. China's commissioners are assessed on the criteria of how much investment they brought. Zhejiang province was the first one to industrialise itself and made it a production hub. Success of Yiwu market should set an example in India.
Other important are infrastructure development, military advances, foreign policy, and many more. This book is a good read to understand India's China Challenge.
August 8, 2021
Not what I expected but it ended being much better than that. Instead of treading the biased or jingoistic line, we get to experience a reporter's point of view on the rise of the red dragon and the challenges it faces from within and without. The highlight as expected is on the post-Xi era.
The book was divided well along the topics of politics, international relations, economics, etc. It explains how China's stand on these fronts have varied with time (viz a viz India especially). It tries to explain as to why some things are the way they are in China and helps to remove many misconceptions that we hold. It raises some important questions, it answers some and for the others....only time will tell.
The Chinese nation and its events remain under reported in India despite its importance so, we tend to keep an incomplete picture of the people there. However, in the book, the author traces the life of some commoners in the nation(something we don't get to read about often). I think this tries to bridge the gap towards the same.
The narration is a mix of travelogue and reporting and is well researched. The highlight for me is the title which can be interpreted both ways. For someone who is interested in Sino-India relations, this is a good read and is a good starting point for those who are new to it. I am certainly adding this to my recommended books list!
The book was divided well along the topics of politics, international relations, economics, etc. It explains how China's stand on these fronts have varied with time (viz a viz India especially). It tries to explain as to why some things are the way they are in China and helps to remove many misconceptions that we hold. It raises some important questions, it answers some and for the others....only time will tell.
The Chinese nation and its events remain under reported in India despite its importance so, we tend to keep an incomplete picture of the people there. However, in the book, the author traces the life of some commoners in the nation(something we don't get to read about often). I think this tries to bridge the gap towards the same.
The narration is a mix of travelogue and reporting and is well researched. The highlight for me is the title which can be interpreted both ways. For someone who is interested in Sino-India relations, this is a good read and is a good starting point for those who are new to it. I am certainly adding this to my recommended books list!
August 8, 2023
I think this is a book that really covers the length and breadth of China, a complete x-axis / y-axis endeavour. And it is a difficult endeavour but it is a very rewarding endeavour, covering modern China's politics, economy, foreign policy, history, frontiers, and most uniquely, its people.
It is a unique book borne out of a unique life experienced by the author over his decade or so in China. The author has syncretized his grassroots & ground zero experience as a journalist with much of the usual 100,000 ft view provided by most of the literature on India - China and China's foreign policy. This syncretization has resulted in a compelling work that is a must read for all students of contemporary China. It is truly a one of a kind book. In providing a rare point of view of a journalist (that too Indian) in China, the book generated above all, excitement and curiosity. The snapshots provided were truly unparalleled, and as such, the book is a deep source of learning. It mentions several things that have rarely been spoken about before, if at all, that is.
It is a unique book borne out of a unique life experienced by the author over his decade or so in China. The author has syncretized his grassroots & ground zero experience as a journalist with much of the usual 100,000 ft view provided by most of the literature on India - China and China's foreign policy. This syncretization has resulted in a compelling work that is a must read for all students of contemporary China. It is truly a one of a kind book. In providing a rare point of view of a journalist (that too Indian) in China, the book generated above all, excitement and curiosity. The snapshots provided were truly unparalleled, and as such, the book is a deep source of learning. It mentions several things that have rarely been spoken about before, if at all, that is.
September 14, 2022
4.5 but 5 star because of lucid style of writing. If you're taking up this book to read about border conflict and political aspect of the Chinese rise, this book may fulfill it partly. The author has rich expertise on China as he was correspondent based in China for almost a decade with visits to controversial Tibet and Xinjiang. The first part of book is slightly a slow read possibly because of coverage of economic and social aspect. The book turns dramatic turn from Part 3 that is diplomacy where he has enriched the analysis with beautiful insights of China experts like Shiv Shankar Menon, Shyam Saran. It was a long read but an insightful book. One can start reading directly from Part 3 also.
Forever indebted to Mr. Krishnan for enriching my understanding on China.
Thank You !
Forever indebted to Mr. Krishnan for enriching my understanding on China.
Thank You !
October 8, 2022
This book entails a comprehensive understanding of the historical, political, economical and technological context of China in respect to India. The information, theories, and commentaries are substantiated by first-hand accounts and legitimate facts. The author, who has himself lived in China for a significant period of time, provides a very nuanced and un-biased picture of the country and its people and policies. It challenges pre-conceived notions about the Chinese and brings forth newer developments which prove to be extremely insightful for anyone willing to understand Asian, and in a broader sense- Global, geopolitics.
Would definitely recommend for anyone willing to get an authentic and interesting view of China, without the inhibitions of political bias or baggage.
Would definitely recommend for anyone willing to get an authentic and interesting view of China, without the inhibitions of political bias or baggage.
November 26, 2020
Interesting book for various nuances of knowing about china.. It's politics and economic thought it's relevance to India. Our threats and opportunities the history of the border issue is well presented and the lost opportunities of getting a settlement ..
The book depicts we have lot to learn from them specifically in regards to infrastructure and urban management.
It also gives a peep into the various minority troubles of the Tibetans, The Uighur.. the tethering relationship of Hong Kong and Taiwan with the mainland
Buddhism is a old link with India which inspite of the atheist party policy still thrives and is growing
And the new found love of Aamir Khan among the young..
The book depicts we have lot to learn from them specifically in regards to infrastructure and urban management.
It also gives a peep into the various minority troubles of the Tibetans, The Uighur.. the tethering relationship of Hong Kong and Taiwan with the mainland
Buddhism is a old link with India which inspite of the atheist party policy still thrives and is growing
And the new found love of Aamir Khan among the young..
July 29, 2021
This is an excellent book! It reflects a deep understanding of China as gained by the years the author spent reporting on the country, and it helps explain why the relationship between India and China is somewhat stunted. As an American, I really appreciated seeing China through a different lens than my own and the explanations of the border disputes and of the political system. The last section felt like dessert; they were wonderful snapshots of how India shows up in unexpected places in China.
July 6, 2021
The book is written in form of small articles contained in a chapter. And each article is well narrated in the form it remains short with full of insights. And that’s one good thing that clicked me. If you are infant in India-China matter(like I was) it is good place to start. It’ll connect with you in all different levels be it economically, strategically, emotionally. After completing you will take back small stories that will help you differentiate between People and Politics.
January 9, 2022
Politically, economically, and militarily, China is an obvious challenge for India. Despite its importance, understanding of China is limited and driven by prejudices, presumptions, and lately these are being combined with nationalistic fervour.
This book is excellent work in chronicling the context to many of the conflicts between India and China, besides some of the key Chinese societal challenges. Worthwhile read.
This book is excellent work in chronicling the context to many of the conflicts between India and China, besides some of the key Chinese societal challenges. Worthwhile read.
April 24, 2023
A wholesome package describing the Chinese political establishment to embedded problems that are integral to it.The pace and view of the author with a neutral tone with facts and aspects of evidence to ponder upon are simply great to say the least.The range of insights ranging from economy to revolution to infrastructure to war to boundary disputes is presented in a manner to not sound esoteric. One of the best books that I have read for a while.
May 19, 2021
Liked the way Ananth presented facts on the ground in China after traversing length and breadth of the country and speaking to the people from various walks of life. His analytical and observational skills are praiseworthy. However, he could have dealt more with how China managed to eliminate extreme poverty in such a short period of time.
May 24, 2021
The book is a good starter pack to know about China and it's interaction with India. As a student of Chinese, I was aware of quite a few things that the author mentioned but it was a great experience to see it being presented so well.
October 27, 2023
A comprehensive book on almost everything on which an Indian may be interested and curious about China. Very well written and focuses not just on thorny strategic issues but also on lives of average Chinese people.
Read
January 10, 2021would rate it at 4.3/5
September 8, 2021
Want to know more about the modern china, your quest would be incomplete without this book.
October 28, 2021
It's a gem. The book gives deep real life insights about Chinese society , culture and psychology. This book is important to read if we want to know how Chinese brains think.
December 28, 2021
Perhaps, one of the most easy to read, and finest book, for anyone willing to begin understanding China.
April 22, 2023
Extremely lucid and informative.
May 28, 2023
The book is a result of serious scholarship and experience. It would have been nice to have an accompanying map in it to quickly refer to various cities and towns mentioned in the chapters.
July 26, 2023
Very informative if you are seeking a good account on India-China Relations !
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