Adventures in the Chinese Economy: 16 Years from the Inside: Adventures in the Chinese Economy

This book provides an insightful overview of the social-economical trends in modern China, their global influence, and the disrupting consequences for businesses and countries all over the world. It is a fresh look at the business conditions that Western firms face in China, poised to become the world's largest and most dynamic economy. Using a vast array facts and data, combined with personal stories and experiences, Mr. Agten provides an accessible and entertaining glimpse at Chinese megatrends, such as the development of the middle class, innovation and upskilling, digitalization of Chinese society, rising labor costs and more. This book is a must-read for entrepreneurs, executives and economists seeking to understand the Chinese market. Introduction Contents 1 “Made in China” No Longer Means Cheap From Agrarian Society to Industrialized Nation Migration and Urbanization Labor Shortages and the One-Child Policy New Working Conditions Modernize or Leave 2 Pragmatic China The Wang Family Changing Course Diversity and Complexity Flexibility in Business 3 Multifaceted China Inequality Ethnic Diversity Religious Diversity Stability Through Integration 4 The Unwritten Contract The Consensus Food Scandals Opportunities Pollution Social Protest Green Revolution Nationalism as a Unifying Factor Regained Self-Confidence 5 Why Chinese Students Go Abroad Gaokao The Problems of the Education System Studying Abroad as an Alternative Labor Market Competition and Problems 6 One Billion Customers Quality and Status Products and Services Tourism First Time Abroad Demanding Consumers Consumption as an Economic Engine 7 The Chinese Online Tsunami Censorship The Internet Makes Life Easier WeChat Window to the World E-Commerce 8 Made in China 2.0 and Beyond Investment in R&D Need for Innovation Patents and Intellectual Property (IP) Chinese Silicon Valley Success Stories Problems 9 Better Unhappy Rich Than Poor Growing Individualism Generational Conflicts Stress Factors Decay of Values and Norms Morality Crisis Guanxi Big Brother and Big Government 10 Qian’an: From Zero to Hero (and Back) Small and Local The City Council as Business Partner Saving Qian’an’s Self-Image Local Government Debt Corruption Tensions and Problems New Empires The New Qian’an 11 China Goes Global A Natural Economic Development Chinese Technology China as Global Player China’s Growing International Influence Xi Jinping’s Anti-corruption Campaign 12 The Great Decoupling and a New Cold War The Great Decoupling An Internationally More Assertive China A New Cold War Afterword Company names and institutions Geographical Index Name Index Subject Index