China's silent army - Juan Pablo Cardenal

China's Silent Army is a revealing and gripping piece of investigative journalism into the unknown extent of China's global power, from China-based reporters Juan Pablo Cardenal and Heriberto Arajo

This book stems from the remarkable, determined work of these two China-based journalists who, frustrated by the facile, pro-business commentary of so much writing on China and the evasions of Beijing's official pronouncements, took a drastic decision: to see for themselves just how rapidly China is spreading its influence around the world.

Many thousands of miles and twenty-five countries later, China's Silent Army is the result: an unprecedented attempt to meet the many Chinese who, through hard work, ingenuity and ruthless business practices are rapidly moving much of the world into Beijing's orbit. From Peruvian mines to Siberian forests, from Sudanese dams to Burmese jade mines - everywhere China's 'silent army' is working to redirect enormous resources.

China's Silent Army allows the reader to come face-to-face with extraordinary individuals working on China's behalf, often in truly terrible conditions, to create what amounts to a new, informal empire.

Reviews:

'Powerful ... brilliant ... The book cuts to the political core' Michael Sheridan, Sunday Times

'Lively and humane ... [China's Silent Army] offers essential information for all who wish to learn how the global reach of China Inc is transforming the lives of everyone on this planet' Frank Diktter, Literary Review

'Excellent macro-economic insights ... but ultimately the human stories are what make it so compelling ... It ought to be required reading' Prospect

'[Cardenal and Arajo's] research is prodigious and the facts they unearth startling ... the Chinese should reflect on the questions the book raises. To put it mildly, there appears to be a case to answer' Evening Standard

'Engaging and sympathetic ... Fascinating and vivid' Spectator

About the authors:

Juan Pablo Cardenal has been reporting from and about China and the Asia-Pacific region since 2003, first, as the Shanghai correspondent for Spain's daily El Mundo and, later, in Singapore and Beijing for Spain's leading economic daily El Economista.

Heriberto Arajo arrived to Beijing in early 2007 and has focused in social and economic issues related to China and Asia. He initially worked for the AFP agency, as the Spanish correspondent in Beijing, and then started his career as a freelance, working for several French (M6, France 24, RFI) and Spanish (Notimex, Capital) media.

They have jointly published related articles in Foreign Policy, El Pas, The South China Morning Post, Radio France International (RFI) and in leading Japanese weekly Shukan Bunshun.

Juan Pablo Cardenal has been reporting from and about China and the Asia-Pacific region since 2003 - first as Shanghai correspondent for El Mundo, and later from Singapore and Beijing for El Economista. He is currently based in Hong Kong.

Heriberto Arajo arrived to Beijing in early 2007, initially working for the AFP agency as Spanish correspondent in Beijing, and then as a freelance reporter for both French and Spanish media.

Powerful ... brilliant ... The book cuts to the political core
Sunday Times - Michael Sheridan

Lively and humane ... [China's Silent Army] offers essential information for all who wish to learn how the global reach of China Inc is transforming the lives of everyone on this planet
Literary Review - Frank Diktter

Excellent macro-economic insights ... but ultimately the human stories are what make it so compelling ... By shining a light on the industriousness of Chinese citizens around the world, China's Silent Army helps us understand why the chairman of China's sovereign wealth fund recently criticised Europe's welfare system and employment laws ... It ought to be required reading for all EU bureaucrats
Prospect

[Cardenal and Araujo's] research is prodigious and the facts they unearth startling. In their investigation into Chinese business habits they visited 25 countries, from Siberia to South America via South-East Asia, Africa and the Middle East ... the Chinese should reflect on the questions the book raises. To put it mildly, there appears to be a case to answer
Evening Standard - George Walden

Engaging and sympathetic ... Fascinating and vivid
Spectator