Thread by @LukePatey

Today is the day. ‘How China Loses’ is out in the US! It was a long haul with journeys to China, South Sudan, Argentina, Japan, & around Western Europe. A thread with some memorable quotes from scholars, diplomats, managers, & activists I met on the way. amazon.com/How-China-Lose…

‘How can China call it non-interference when people are being killed?’ Henry Odwar, a South Sudanese MP, on China’s checkered legacy in the Sudans, where Beijing's military & financial support to Sudan fuelled the killing & displacement of South Sudanese civilians #SinoAfrica

‘Let me put it this way, nobody hates money’. A Chinese diplomat in Argentina on why Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative would power through political risks from new leadership in Buenos Aires. #BRI #BeltandRoad

'If someone like Zhu Rongji does not show up, the Belt & Road will be a failure.' Middle Eastern business manager in Beijing on the future of Xi Jinping's 'project of the century'.

'The talking points are the same, but the policy doesn’t really move, & China becomes a bigger competitor.' A German diplomat on the EU's failure to negotiate market reciprocity with Beijing. #CAI

'Norwegian salmon producers complained a little, but otherwise they were still driving Ferraris around town.' A Norwegian insider on the minimal impact of China's economic coercion during its six-year diplomatic freeze with Norway.

'No one complains because everyone is making good money. But most foreign companies are not growing as fast as their Chinese competitors. Market shares are stagnating and some are falling.' European manager in China on growing competitiveness of Chinese corporations. #CAI

‘China’s basic narrative of Japan is simple. Japan is no longer the 2nd largest economic power in the world... So, China says to Japan: ‘swallow these facts and behave accordingly.’ Yoshiji Nogami, Japan’s former vice-minister of foreign affairs.

'The Japanese need to speak up. You can't have an hour-long speech by a Japanese diplomat that’s all about China, but they don’t mention China once. If they are afraid of upsetting China, we definitely need to be too.' Southeast Asian scholar on the need for co-op with Tokyo

‘Whatever the size of your country, there is no excuse for politicians & leaders not having their eyes wide open for who & what they’re dealing with. The only answer is that there is a rules-based regime that we all have to conform to, big or small.' New Zealand's Winston Peters

The book explores how countries around the world are realising that engaging China produces new strategic vulnerabilities to their independence & competitiveness. Compromise is possible, but pushback is necessary. I hope you read it. amazon.com/gp/product/019… @OUPPolitics @diisdk