Has China Won?
Renowned Singaporean scholar Kishore Mahbubani’s *Has China Won?* dissects the high-stakes geopolitical rivalry between the U.S. and China, challenging pervasive Western myths while offering a nuanced look at both nations’ strategic missteps. Mahbubani argues the U.S. has already lost the first round of competition due to its lack of a coherent long-term China strategy, wasteful defense spending driven by lobbying, and domestic decay marked by soaring income inequality and money-dominated politics. He refutes claims of Chinese expansion, highlighting China’s historical non-imperialist roots and defensive military posture. The book also analyzes how key global players—Australia, Europe, Japan, India, and ASEAN—navigate their conflicting economic and security ties to both powers. Finally, Mahbubani identifies five critical areas of shared interest, from climate action to counterterrorism, urging both nations to prioritize cooperation over zero-sum confrontation to secure global stability and mutual prosperity.