China is the world’s second largest economy. It has the potential to catch up and speed past the U.S., the world’s largest economy, in the near future.

China has world-class information technology brands such as Alibaba, Huawei and Xiaomi that have stung the nerves of Google and Samsung. But Kim Man-gi asks, “Do people really know China?” and gives an in-depth and comprehensive view of the country in his new book “Why I Study China.” 

Dubbed the “China investment specialist” in Korea, Kim, a professor of Chinese language and literature at Sookmyung Women’s University, wrote, “Who dares avoid the strong wind blowing from China? No one. It is not an overstatement to say that our future will be shaped according to the path China takes.”

The book gives pointers for local companies on how to prepare for this future, and argues that those who fail to foresee this future will miss the opportunity and will not survive in the new age.

Kim’s book aims to break the stereotype of China held by people. For example, when people think of China, normally the color red and communism come into mind. But Kim said this is old-thinking, emphasizing that it is time to see beyond this and learn to understand China and its true culture.

“Why I Study China” is his third book attempting to tell more stories about China, following two books featuring a character named “Assistant Manager Hong,” who learns about China and business at work.

By Park Hyong-ki (hkp@heraldcorp.com)