One of the major stories of the 21st century so far has been the rise of China, the rise of its economy, the emergence of the country as a technology leader, the growth of its military.

By 2030, this one country, albeit of 1.4 billion

people, will account for 45% of all global manufacturing output. Quite extraordinary. How did it happen

and what lessons can be learned by the West from the rise of China?

How come in some areas, like the build-out of high-speed rail, the US is failing, while China is a global superstar?

Now, when you talk about China, when you try to examine its failures and successes, you're often given one of two stories. On the one hand,

China is running away with it. It's leaving the West behind and the dust. We're looking at

the Chinese miracle, the Asian century. Or you get a very different story. China is on the brink

of collapse. Its economic model is not what

you think. Its GDP data is phony. None of the facts can be taken seriously. Yes, it's had a good

few decades, but it's in no way shaping up to be a global hegemon this century or, for that matter,

the next either. So where does the future lie? Well, that's

precisely the topic of the book I'm discussing today, Breakneck. It's author Dan Wong is one of the

leading experts on China and technology. He lived in China for six years, working for Gavacal Dragonomics, looking at

technology trends like microprocessor production, the green economy, looking also at the politics

and the political culture of China in the era of Xi Jinping. They became must-read missives. He's now back in the US. He's lived in one

empire allegedly on the way up and another on the way down. I can think a few people better

placed to offer a coherent, fair, objective assessment of what China gets right and what it gets wrong.

Dan Wong, welcome to Downstream.

My pleasure to be here, Aaron.

I am so looking forward to this conversation.

Sadly, we only have a proof copy of your book.

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