China Transformed

"Professor Roy Bin Wong’s book went a step further from Growth Recurring by using China as a benchmark to measure Europe. The difference between Jones and Wong is that the former gave both China and Europe an equal emphasis while the latter leans heavily towards China. According to Professor Wong, Qing China (1644-1911) perfected all the key sectors in the economy, including flexible and efficient administration, effective proto-social welfare, high-yield agriculture, visible market freedom and so forth. He argued that the Qing system could have continued had revolution not been introduced from outside. This presented a direct challenge to the old view of John Fairbank that China was on its way to decline from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) onwards and that change was inevitable. Wong indicated the opposite. He has an interestingly China-centred assessment of Europe. It provides us with a new dimension to see our world very differently. Those who know China will appreciate it more. Those who know less will have a new window widely open for the first time."