Nov 30, 2009 1:00 AM AWST

How China's Leaders Think The Inside Story of China's Reform and What This Means for the Future

Published in English in time for China's 60th anniversary celebration, How China's Leaders Think – The Inside Story of China's Reform and What This Means for the Future, takes a deep look at what's on the agenda for China's leadership and what this means for both China and the world.

To tackle this big subject, author Dr. Robert Lawrence Kuhn draws on personal conversations with over 100 Chinese leaders across all sectors. He then structures the book according to guiding principles he uses as a framework for the book.

An odd combination of investment banker, brain researcher and public intellectual Dr. Kuhne has had a long interest in China, advising China's leadership since 1989 on restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, science and technology, media and culture, among other issues. He is also the author of The Man Who Changed China: The Life and Legacy of Jiang Zemin, a bestselling biography in China.

"To understand China, especially in the light of China's resurgence and power—and in the face of media distortions—the international community needs to appreciate how China's leaders think," said Dr. Kuhn. According to Wiley, his publisher, "Dr. Kuhn asks China's leaders what they make of economic imbalances, pollution, unsustainable development, corruption, migrant workers, unemployment and crime. He also confronts China's leaders on the issues of human rights, censorship, religious freedom, ethnic clashes, international conflicts and superpower rivalries."

"This book focuses on the country's most senior leaders, current and future, and on officials and intellectuals in diverse sectors, who collectively form the foundation of thought and drive the commitment to further reform in China today," said Dr. Kuhn. " My task is to portray their personas, to give voice to their thoughts and life to their feelings, as well as to describe their works and deeds."

Whether or not a foreigner is qualified to understand the way China's leaders think is a good question to consider about this book. Regardless it's worth a look for the historical perspective and the insight into where China may be heading and
for the business strategist to understand potential opportunities. Kuhne is decidedly respectful and admiring of China's leadership. If not it seems unlikely his work would see the light of day in China. He also holds no grudges against government censors and acknowledges that losing 20 percent is acceptable to get the book out in a country where censorship is the norm. At 576 pages, there's still plenty left to digest.