China's New Rulers: The Secret Files (New York Review Books Collections) - Hardcover

Nathan, Andrew J.; Gilley, Bruce

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1590170466 ISBN 13: 9781590170465

Publisher: New York Review of Books, 2002

Synopsis

Based on confidential Chinese Communist Party files, offers an inside look at the leading political issues under debate and the new group of "Fourth Generation" leaders to take office following the party's 16th Congress in November, 2002.

About this title

From the Inside Flap

"With each passing year, China and its mandarinate become a little less opaque. The reports summarized in this volume represent another giant step forward in penetrating the old veil of secrecy that once shrouded China and its political processes with a virtually impenetrable screen. Whatever may follow, these documents provide a fascinating look behind that screen and help us understand how China's leaders interact and govern this most consequential of countries."
--Orville Schell, Dean of the Graduate School of Journalism, UC Berkeley

Reviews

Again breaching the secrecy enveloping leadership politics in China, the authors reveal the jockeying behind the retirement of Jiang Zemin and succession of Hu Jintao to be ordained at this month's congress of the Chinese Communist Party. When China specialists Nathan and Gilley disclosed documents about top-level power struggles in The Tiananmen Papers (2001), Chinese officialdom unconvincingly denied their authenticity. It may well be dismissive again, but the authors' explanation of this book's provenance, and moreover, the detail of its contents, create confidence in its accuracy. Nathan and Gilley base their text on that of a Chinese writer whom they trust, Zong Hairen (a pseudonym). Zong's material in turn relies on personnel reports on seven men who will likely compose the most powerful body in the Chinese political system, the Politburo Standing Committee. The promoted members' biographies, patrons, personalities, and policy inclinations become less mysterious in Nathan's and Gilley's construction, which although undramatic in style is quite as informative as an intelligence assessment. A select group of readers, such as students, businesspeople, or diplomats, will be keen for this glimpse into the new leaders' views on China's future direction. Gilbert Taylor
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Edition details

• Publisher: New York Review of Books
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1590170466
• ISBN 13: 9781590170465
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 150