Book Review for Douglas Charley
The book that I read is called, " China in Focus: Economic, Political and Educational Issues," by Ernest P. Nolan. This book was very interesting and gave me a really good understanding of the issues that China encompasses every day. The book has 11 chapters and describes in detail their economic, political, and educational issues. It provides an in-depth analysis of issues such as foreign policy, FDI, military plans, school reform, currency policies, and overall economic developments. Chapter 1 talks about the the relationship between the Chinese and the Japanese. With China on the rise it provides a threat to Japan. In the past they have had some problems with each other mostly on military issues. The author believes that their will be no threat of these two becoming very angry at each other in the new century. Chapter 2 talks about the Policy of Assurance. Some countries have concerns over the increases in it's international presence. Mostly, because they are a communist party that is backed unlimited economic potential that would challenge the western way of life. Chapter 3 starts talking about their Foreign Direct Investment. China has a very export-orientated FDI and also has massive predominance of FDI from Hong Kong. This country uses FDI for economic growth and it does this very well because of its huge country size, effective strategies, and a strong central government. Chapter 4 deals with administrative barriers to FDI. It is in a transition from closed economy to an open one. They have lots of investment restriction that is greatly regulated.. It has been a major issue for foreign investors. Chapter 5 talks about the civil organizations. He describes them as underdeveloped and weak because the government fails to get people into the organizations. It is basically a semi-civil society as he says. Chapter 6 talks about the expansion of Chinese students into the global schools around the country, especially in the UK. It says that with all of these students study in different countries it causes serious implications for student provision and education in the new countries these students study in. Chapter 7 deals with the schools in China itself. It has undergone major development. China really wanted to have a good school system so they started taking lots of money and put it into their education budget. It also has increased the social status of teachers. Chapter deals with school improvements in Taiwan. He says the world is changing fast and it puts pressure on the people who work within the society. Taiwan has succeeded in doing so by lifting martial law and making education more conservative. It is also decentralized and is deregulated as well. Chapter 9 starts dealing with China's currency. People believe the Chinese Yuan is undervalued and it manipulates its currency to make its exports cheaper than imports, instead of it being more free. They also believe it is hurting the U.S. manufacturing jobs because many of the manufacturing jobs have moved to china. Chapter 10 focuses on its economic conditions. It's GDP has grown at 9.7% on an annual rate. They believe it could be the largest exporting country and could have the largest economy. It must first though work on improving their state-owned enterprises and banking system. They also must work pollution, and the growing income inequality. Chapter 11 basically goes into greater depth about the Chinese Yuan and how it is undervalued. Chinese believe it provides economic stability to the country. Many countries would like to do more to encourage the Chinese to raise their currency so they stop hurting everyone else. They have let the United States be the leader in doing this and the U.S. has many options of providing the pressure.