The Tiger Leading the Dragon: How Taiwan Propelled China's Economic Rise

by Shelley Rigger

How did the once-secretive, isolated People’s Republic of China become the factory to the world? Shelley Rigger convincingly demonstrates that the answer is Taiwan. She follows the evolution of Taiwan’s influence from the period when Deng Xiaoping lifted Mao’s prohibitions on business in the late 1970s, allowing investors from Taiwan to collaborate with local officials in the PRC to transform mainland China into a manufacturing powerhouse. After World War II, Taiwan’s fleet-footed export-oriented manufacturing firms became essential links in global supply chains. In the late 1980s, Taiwanese firms seized the opportunity to lower production costs by moving to the PRC, which was seeking foreign investment to fuel its industrial rise. Within a few years, Taiwan’s traditional manufacturing had largely relocated to the PRC, opening space for a wave of new business creation in information technology. The Tiger Leading the Dragon traces the development of the cross-Taiwan Strait economic relationship and explores how Taiwanese firms and individuals transformed Chinese business practices. It also reveals their contributions to Chinese consumer behavior, philanthropy, religion, popular culture, and law.

Genres: China, Nonfiction, Political Science, Asia, Business

236 pages, Hardcover

Published June 4, 2021

Reviews

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taiwan Strong

I found this book to be a fascinating read on the economic rise of China and the pivotal role that Taiwan played in it.

Rigger did a great job of exploring the innovative technologies and advancements that made Taiwan stand out from China.

What struck me most was the impressive ingenuity and determination of Taiwan's inventors and technology giants, who managed to stay ahead of the curve despite facing significant challenges and competition from China.
Rigger's writing style is clear and concise, making complex economic concepts easy to understand.

At the same time, the book doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of the political tensions between China and Taiwan.
It's sobering to see the amount of overreach that took place, and the book serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggles between these two nations - even stronger today more than ever it seems.

Overall, I found this to be an informative and thought-provoking read, particularly given the current state of global affairs.

Highly recommended for anyone interested in the intersection of politics, technology, and economics.

4.2/5

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny re-appropriation of the word of comrade by young people so now we have:
同志= Comrade = LGBTQ

[David Frazier · Rating 2 out of 5]

Several interesting points about Taiwanese businessmen leading China into the global economy, but also a lot of redundant writing and, while as a 20+ year Taiwan-based journalist I would consider many of the conclusions valid, she could provide much better evidence and much deeper analysis. See this review in the Taipei Times: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat...

[Iris Sheu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot from this book! Made me better understand chinas economic growth and taiwans influence in the rise. cons are that it was at times repetitive and felt like disjointed articles / papers cobbled together, particularly in the second half.

[Toby Mathers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A post-WWII study on Taiwan’s economic development and the interactions and influences it had on China’s own economic development, particularly as it began to liberalize its economy in the 80s and 90s. There are parts of the book dedicated to Taiwan’s influence on China's culture and legal progress, and also on the revival of religious activity that was undermined during Mao’s cultural revolution.

It is succinct and a great read to understand the development of Taiwan’s economic rise under and politically turbulent and vulnerable environment.