The Fragility of China - by Dennis Unkovic (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Many people have the wrong idea about China-they see all the strengths and few of the weaknesses. I'm writing this book to correct that misperception. China is racing to displace the United States as the world's dominant economic and military power. After three decades of unprecedented economic growth, China appointed Xi Jinping as its leader in 2013. After taking the reins, Xi decided it was time to put China in what he believes is its rightful place: First. Xi is doing everything in his power to make this happen, from the Made in China 2025 to his Belt and Road Initiative, both of which aim to center global trade and thus power around China. However, Xi Jinping's goals may not ultimately come to fruition because China is much more fragile than it outwardly appears. There are breaking points-MaxTrendsª-which pose serious challenges to the future Xi is dreaming of. Examples of MaxTrendsª are disturbing demographic trends in China, widespread corruption, the accelerating global arms race, the real estate crisis, the fractured global supply chain, and the Taiwan conflict. If the United States and other Western democracies want to blunt Xi's ambitions, they must take aggressive steps now. These steps include continuing to out-innovate China technologically, doubling down on a blue ocean strategy, aggressively countering Chinese cyber attacks, embracing multinational organizations, and making Africa a much higher priority. China and the United States find themselves in the middle of a true race to the top, and who will win depends on how each country responds to the MaxTrendsª affecting it"--

Book Synopsis

Dennis Unkovic asserts that China is, contrary to popular belief, not poised to take over from the United States as the world's pre-eminent superpower.

Chinese President Xi Jinping believes his country is destined to displace the United States as the world's top military and economic power. Every policy that Xi has put forth since assuming power in 2013 has been carefully crafted with this end goal in mind.

Nearly four decades of meteoric economic growth have convinced many in the West that modern China is indeed an invincible regime, and that Xi's grand plan will come to fruition. Closer examination reveals that China is not invulnerable, but in fact is far more fragile than it outwardly appears.

In this book, Dennis Unkovic coins the term MaxTrends(R) to identify critical factors and developments that have the potential to derail Xi's aggressive ambitions for China. These MaxTrends(R) include alarming demographic shifts, cracks in the global supply chain, an accelerating global arms race, and the Taiwan conundrum, all of which indicate that China's strength may be more illusion than reality. Unkovic warns that the world's democracies must take increasingly aggressive steps to exploit China's vulnerabilities if they hope to blunt Xi's ambitions.

Right now China and the United States find themselves competing in a tight race to the top. In today's unprecedented arena of economic, military, and political challenges, the nation that acts more quickly and prudently will win.

Review Quotes

"The "Chinese Century" lasted just two decades. In this comprehensive and perceptive study Dennis Unkovic explains why."

--Gordon G. Chang, author of The Coming Collapse of China and China Is Going to War

"If Russia had not been communist, there would have been no Cold War, but because Russia was communist--systemically stupid--it was bound to lose that war. Dennis Unkovic's much-needed message punctures the myth of China's inexorable ascent: Because China is a Leninist party-state it is dangerous--and doomed to inefficiencies and irrationalities that will sap its vigor."

--George F. Will, syndicated columnist

"In this inciteful analysis of our most formidable adversary, Dennis Unkovic traces China's remarkable transition from a backward agricultural country to an economic and military colossus. That swift transition threatens the current world order and poses a direct threat to the US. With dramatic use of his MAXTRENDS, Unkovic carefully outlines China's vulnerabilities. He makes it clear that China is not invincible and shows how the West can prevail. This book should be required reading at all our military academies."

--Major General William J. Mall, Jr. USAF (ret.)

"Is Xi Jinping the world's most powerful leader? Is this destined to become "China's Century?" In his book, Unkovic answers these critical questions and describes the serious challenges (MAXTRENDS) facing Xi Jinping and the CCP leadership. Anyone who wants to clearly understand the real truth about China and its global ambitions should definitely read this engaging--and at times frightening--book."
--Andre Laborde, Chief Investment Officer and President, Bena Capital.

About the Author

Dennis Unkovic is an international lawyer, author and business consultant. Over the course of his career, Unkovic has advised corporations and individuals in the United States, Asia and Europe on complex business transactions such as mergers and acquisitions, supply chain issues, and international dispute resolution. He has traveled to 64 countries on behalf of clients and professional organizations, most frequently to People's Republic of China and Japan. The author of twelve books and numerous articles, Unkovic is currently a partner in the law firm of Meyer, Unkovic & Scott LLP in Pittsburg Pennsylvania.