Book Review: "On China"

by Henry Kissinger.............from politicalaffairs.........


"This is a remarkable and insightful volume – though not in the ways the author intended. 

It is a memoir cum history of Chinese history and foreign relations, particularly since the earth-shattering revolution of 1949. Given the author’s pre-eminent role in 1971 as National Security Advisor in the White House in thawing the then frozen relations between China and the U.S. and his subsequent role as an interlocutor between the two governments (not to mention the lucrative and handsome fees he has earned opening doors for U.S. corporate interests in China), Kissinger obviously is capable of delivering a helpful perspective.

Thus, first the good news: though hysteria grows apace in the U.S., perceiving that its star is being eclipsed by that of China, the author stands firmly against the launching of a new “Cold War,” this time targeting Beijing. Clearly, there is a rift in the highest ranks of the U.S. ruling elite as to how approach China with some clamoring to enhance their bottom line there while others seek the overthrow of Communist Party rule: this rift in itself is good news since like any class, the U.S. ruling class operates optimally when it is united. (This book is so idolatrous in its treatment of Mao Zedong and so shameless in apologizing for every twist and turn in Chinese foreign policy, it would not be surprising if it were to be used as a teaching text in the Party School in Beijing. Strangely, he seems more willing to criticize Washington’s policy to Beijing – and not the reverse. [see e.g. p. 143])"...............READ MORE