Dragon Diplomacy

Timely book about China’s rise to power and the reality behind its perceived threat to neighboring states and Western democracy

About the Book: 

Ever since China’s rise to global power status, a strong narrative has emerged to explain and assess the impact of the return of this once Middle Kingdom. Unlike other great civilisations, the Chinese have made a comeback and are, today, exerting their presence, in economic, political and military spheres. China is touted to not only challenge the might of the United States, but may even, surpass it. Following from this, a mainstream view point prescribes a much more hostile approach in dealing with China. China has to be contained, if not prevented from becoming the preeminent power in the future – replacing western dominance in world affairs.

This book tries to posit an alternative assessment of China’s rise. Due to the far-reaching impact of China’s economic and commercial arms, states have come to adopt a much more pragmatic approach, one that refuses to view this power in terms of a ‘threat’ perspective. A recognition of China’s greatness does not necessarily place countries into a straightjacket of being subservient or playing second fiddle to Beijing. In a globalised world, to avoid being caught in the middle of a clash between these two titans, the United States and China, seems the most prudent stance, while at the same time deriving benefits from both sides.

About the Author:

Abdul Razak Baginda was a senior associate member of St Antony’s College, Oxford as well as visiting fellow at Reikaku University, Japan.  He received his doctorate in International Relations from the University of Oxford.  He currently lives between London and Kaula Lumpur.  He has published extensively, his latest being “China-Malaysia Relations and Foreign Policy”, published by Routledge (2015).

Excerpt from the book:

       “It would appear that much of the threat perception debate over China centres on two inter-related factors – the position of states regarding the Western world, in particular the United States, and their belief that China will become the dominant global power and will subjugate them.  While the first of these is based on reality, the second is more uncertain, built on fear of the unknown and based on assumption and conjecture.  To some extent there is an element of the race factor here, which is perhaps the result of decades, if not centuries, of Western domination over others, notwithstanding the fact that most of these countries achieved independence over half a century ago.  Despite China being in the East, there is still much negativity towards China, in favour of the West.

       The question, therefore of who is afraid of China is a combination of reality and perception.  While he prevalent reality is that most countries maintain reasonable ties with Beijing predicated mainly on economic and trading interests, underneath this veneer of cordiality lies some lingering suspicion.  This is mainly based on the influence of the strong narrative that, in the future, China will be a powerful hegemon that may end up influencing, if not controlling, smaller, weaker states.”

 “Dragon Diplomacy” by Abdul Razak Baginda is currently available in hardback from Amazon at:

This excellent, informative book is also available in paperback at:

Press/Media Contact Details:

Grosvenor House Publishing
Tel. 020 8339 6060
E-mail: [email protected]

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Citizen Alien

An inspirational collection of short stories based the author’s journeys through life

About the Book: 

This book is a collection of short stories, based on the author’s own life experiences, taking us on a far-reaching journey across continents and cultures.  It introduces us to people who have hugely varied lives but that have more in common than first impressions might create.  We meet people who are united by love, compassion, empathy, understanding and hope.
 
The author uses her creative skills to share these people and their stories with us, with the intent of encouraging the idea that, regardless of circumstances, holding onto hope will propel us forward and open us up to being able to celebrate the wonderful gift of life and that the hand we are dealt with can be played with passion and optimism.

About the Author:

Heather Whittaker was born in New Westminster, British Columbia in Canada, to American parents.  At the time, New Westminster resembled a lovely small very British city that wound around the banks of the Fraser River…. far more than it resembled the North American mini-metropolis it became in later years.

Her hometown was resplendent with small shops, friendly diners and family-owned and operated restaurants and boutiques.  Main Street, or the High Street, was lined with hanging potted plants, large potted flowers, and well-kept trees from Spring through Autumn.

While it was a beautiful place to grow up, Heather’s dual citizenship offered her the advantage of being able to study and work in both Canada and the United States. Her hometown, being cosmopolitan, offered her the opportunity to learn through her association with schoolmates and neighbors, and to appreciate the diversity and richness of the larger global community and what it had to offer in experience, beauty and history.

She feels blessed to have traveled our precious planet, and learned from the wonderful people she’s met along the way, as she has fortunately been befriended by many lovely people.

In her writing, Heather has attempted to share the insights and skills she has gathered throughout her life’s journey.  Her mission is to help others navigate the adversities and pain that life can steer our way sometimes too often.

Heather married very young.  She was just seventeen years old, and a mother before her eighteenth birthday. Thankfully, her son grew to become a successful and happily married man with a beautiful family of his own.

So you see, there is light at the end of the tunnel, and there is hope when you believe, and hope when you follow through, and never stop believing.

 “Citizen/Alien” by Heather Whittaker is available in hardback from Amazon at:

This remarkable collection of short-stories is also available to download in e-book format at:

Press/Media Contact Details:

Grosvenor House Publishing
Tel. 020 8339 6060
E-mail: [email protected]