Ryan Hass

Its hard not to be amazed at the sheer size and growth of China in recent years. At times it can seem at times that China's future growth is largely pre-determined and the country can easily deal with any obstacle in its path to become the dominant global superpower. It can be easy to read a few headlines about China and quickly makeup one's mind about China's place in the world and China's future.

Hass is here to deliver "Stronger", a much more nuanced and deeply thought out view on what China is, what China wants to become and how the United
States can enter an era of competitive interdependence with China to benefit both countries. Hass has a deep background on China both having lived there as well as working in both the US Government and the private sector largely focused on China. Hass does a deep dive on many areas that could be potential sources of conflict such as technology or naval dominance of the Pacific, and presents compelling arguments on how the United States can best engage with China while placating its allies. Hass mentions many differing viewpoints on different aspects of China and walks through the truths that some of them present and compares and contrasts them with his view of the steps needed to ensure a mutually beneficial future for China and the
United States.

There are many books on China but few are as concise and as well-argued as Hass's book. The book keeps things simple and focuses on the highest level of US-China relations, and doesn't bog the narrative down with endless backstories and details. American citizens and especially its politicians would do well to read it and add it to their toolkit for engaging with China.… (altro)