by Daniel Xiao Wang

Created on: July 29, 2011

The Western World does not know China, it has very little understanding of the nation that can claim the longest continual civilization in the world. China stood as the lone global superpower for most of history and yet the Western World has little to know understanding of its traditions, cultures, and reasoning. “On China” by Henry Kissinger takes us into the world of U.S.-Sino diplomacy and relations. This book bridges an important gap in the West's ability to understand China and is indispensable for anyone seeking to understand modern history and future global trends.

Kissinger has made over fifty trips to China in his lifetime and dealt with changing leadership in both the United States and China. No Western statesman can claim to be more intimately involved with the development and course of the U.S.-Chinese relationship. In “On China” Kissinger gives us an intimate, first-person view of the Chinese approach to International relations and diplomacy.

“On China” begins with a brief history of China and her relationship with her neighbors. Understanding the China of today can only be accomplished by understanding the trends of China's past. The strategies of Sun Zi, “The Romance of the Three Kingdoms,” the game of Wei Qi, the teachings of Kong Zi (Confucius)... these historical lines of thought still guide China today.

Kissinger moves quickly unto familiar territory, “On China” becomes part a memoir of his visits to China and his meeting with Chinese officials. Kissinger provides a picture of Mao Zedong, Zhou Enli, Deng Xiaoping, and other Chinese leaders that American history books don't begin to offer. Kissinger provides enough information and analysis to show the motives behind the actions, to provide the reader with an understanding of the Chinese justification for what they were doing.

“On China” takes us through the opening of China, the years of rapprochement and normalization of U.S.- China relations, up through modern times and China's emerging role as superpower.

No study of contemporary diplomacy is complete without reading”On China.” Reading this phenomenal work by Henry Kissinger will provide a deeper understanding of China and her people. The future of the America and the world as a whole is tied to China, bridging a cultural gap that can seem completely irreconcilable will be tantamount to future generations of leaders. “On China” provides the context of that understanding.

“On China” by Henry Kissinger is timely, focused, and thought provoking. It is a must read for anyone that has the slightest interest in China and in the future of our world.

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