Author Event: The Fragile Dragon

The Fragile Dragon offers a clear-eyed examination of China’s rise and its hidden vulnerabilities.

Drawing on the author’s experience as president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai under Presidents Obama, Trump, and Biden, the book analyzes key business and political developments from both Western and Chinese perspectives.

The narrative intertwines the story of his family — including an opium addict, an American codebreaker, and a Chinese revolutionary — with broader geopolitical themes. As an American businessman of Chinese ancestry, the author had extraordinary access to leaders on both sides, giving him remarkable insight into why tensions between the US and China have escalated so sharply, threatening global commerce and stability.

Finally, Mr. Gibbs offers guidance on how business people can think about China and what it takes to succeed, whether it’s navigating the narrow corridor between what China wants and what the US will allow, partnering with rather than competing against local players, or structuring businesses to minimize risk if a catastrophic event takes place, as appears more and more likely.