Xi Jinping's China
BY Jayadeva Ranade
BOOK REVIEW
LT MUSKAN CHAHAL
5003 ASC BN (MT)
INTRODUCTION
1. Title – Xi Jinping's China
2. Author– Major General Dr Rajan Kocchar VSM
3. Publisher – K W Publishers
4. Year – 2017
5. Price – 1190
6. Introduction – There are several significant events which preceded
China’s constitutional amendment of March 2018 that removed the
presidential term limit boosting Xi Jinping’s standing as China’s
prospective leader-for-life.
7. Author - He is former Additional Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat,
Government of India and is presently President of the Centre for
China Analysis and Strategy. He is a seasoned China analyst with
over 25 years experience in the field. He earned a Diploma of
Advanced Proficiency in Chinese after a two-year study programme
in Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi and completed an
Intensive Introductory Course in Mandarin and a Diploma in
Mandarin from the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. He
contributes to many mainstream national newspapers, magazines and
leading publications, mostly on strategic and security issues relating
to China.
8. Language And Style - As a writer, it is very important not only to
think about what you say, but how you say it. He communicates
effectively and his well organized ideas are expressed in complete
and coherent sentences and paragraphs. He has adapted his writing
style, tone and clarity to the reading audience. Analyzing his audience
and the purpose is his key to effective writing. His writing is grasping
because it comes from his vast knowledge gathered through his
unlimited experiences throughout his career and life.
9. Subject - In the initial chapters Gen Rajan gives an outlook on the
Northern scenario of how we protect the borders. He hilights in the
changes that should be implemented considering the evolving threats
in the region and the rise of China alongside its hostile foreign
policies of expansion. He compares the PLA and The Indian Army
discussing the situation, requirements and scope quite candidly.
He brings forward the reality of the two-front war that is existent with
China and Pakistan. With Pakistan’s growing need for Chinese
economical support the Chinese influence in Pakistan will grow fwd
with CPEC. Through his book he stresses on the Comprehensive
Defense Strategy and the importance for it coming into existence.
He explains the reasons for conflicts with China in Galvan, the
preparation of logistics and mobilization of Indian Army, the
occupation of Kailas heights and Galvan with clarity.
In the last chapters he talks about the Make in India concept of
strengthening the Indian Armed Forces which should be most
relevant to the citizens of the country. The need for self dependency
in building our own missile systems, countering cyber threat, tech
war, AI, robotics and advancement towards quantum tech has been
analysed in detail. Our future relations with China has been discussed
and the author brings out all pervasive need to arrive at an early
solution to the LAC claim line. The vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat
hundred years after independence and where it will lead us has been
reviewed in depth. The book makes a very interesting ‘R’ to further
the Make in India Programme. Ranade delves into Chinese foreign
policy with a special focus on India, Pakistan and Tibet. India
10. Final Assessment And Recommendations
TheChinese political system is not only complicated but also
extremely different from other political systems. Ranade, through his
expertise in the field and familiarity of the native language, provides a
comprehensive work of reference for Sinologists andforeign policy
practitioners alike.However, the book suffers from certain obvious
inadequacies. For example, it lacks in providing veracity to the
arguments and details on the Chinese political structure . Absence of
footnotes or endnotes prevents the readers from cross-checking
information. As individual units, the chapters are well conceived, but
as a consolidated unit the book is bereft of a smooth transition of
ideas and issues.The readers would have been better served if the
book followed a thematic or a chronological pattern. Furthermore, an
introduction and a conclusion tying it all together would have been
extremely useful. Nonetheless, Xi Jinping ’s China is a rich repository
of contemporary Chinese politics. For those who seek to know the
beginning of all the transformative changes that ensued with the rise
of Xi Jinping, it is a must read.
*The opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the
views of the organization in any way.
