Silicon Dragon: How China Is Winning the Tech Race

You already know that China is the most populated nation on the planet. You already know about the rapid growth of its Internet and the recent development of its technologies. But did you realize that China has...

• The world's largest number of mobile phone users (500 million)
• Three times as many engineering students as the United States?
• A dozen more billion-dollar tech firms than the United States?
• The fastest growing venture capital market in the world?

It's time to face the facts: China is catching up to the United States as a global leader of technology and, within a few years, may surpass every nation in the world. By modeling their new techno-based companies on successful American ones like Google and Yahoo, a new breed of entrepreneur is leading China through a second Industrial Revolution.

Financial journalist Rebecca A. Fannin traveled from Shanghai to Beijing and beyond to speak face-to-face with China's hottest up-and-comers. For some of these young entrepreneurs, it's their first interview with the Western press, and their first chance to introduce their companies before the stocks hit Nasdaq.

You'll meet smart and savvy self-starters like Robin Li, who made his company Baidu in the image of Google. You'll meet inventors and innovators like Liu Yingkui, who developed software for selling goods over cell phones, not PCs. You'll also meet the American venture capitalists who are searching for deals every day in every corner of China.

Whether you're an investor, entrepreneur, techno whiz, or dot-com mogul, you can make peace with the dragon: and profits, too.

“Silicon Dragon makes clear that China has now become the USs most serious challenger as a leader of tech innovation and investment opportunities.”

David M. Rubenstein, managing director, The Carlyle Group

“Chinas emergence as a technological giant is among the most interesting and important subjects in business and economics. Rebecca Fannin performs an invaluable service in detailing Chinas growth into the tech engine of the 21st century.”

Jason Pontin, editor-in-chief and publisher of Technology Review, columnist, The New York Times
“Rebecca Fannin, a U.S.-based editor of the Asian Venture Capital Journal, recently crisscrossed China to gauge its digital prospects and the dynamism of its computer-based economy. As she reports in Silicon Dragon, she spotted a clutch of up-and-coming entrepreneurs and heard echoes of Redwood Drive in places like Beijings Zhongguancun high-tech district. And little wonder. Chinas Steve Jobs wannabes are desperately trying to make up for lost time.”

-The Wall Street Journal

“Silicon Dragon presents a unique and well-reported look into the rapid ascent of Chinese entrepreneurs and venture capitalists who are defining the frontiers of global technology. A ‘high-five to Ms. Fannin, who took the time in Beijing, Shanghai, and the Valley to tell their story to the world.”

-Dan Schwartz, chairman and publisher, Asian Venture Capital Journal

“China is flexing its muscle and is going to be the next big bed of innovation. Silicon Dragon will give you a road map for this new brave world.”

Om Malik, author of Broadbandits: Inside the $750 Billion Telecom Heist, founder and senior writer, GigaOM

“With fine writing flair and investigative footwork, Rebecca Fannin unveils the Chinese tech menagerie and the fierce but finally friendly dragons that make China the most fateful and fascinating entrepreneurial story of the 21st century.”

George Gilder, editor-in-chief, Gilder Technology Report

Don't be surprised if the next Steve Jobs or Bill Gates comes from China. That's the message of this riveting, in-depth account of the new generation of Chinese entrepreneurs that is challenging the U.S. for global high-tech leadership.

Based on interviews conducted with the entrepreneurs behind some of today's cutting-edge advances in mobile phones, search, E-commerce, and software, Silicon Dragon takes you behind the scenes to provide an up-to-the-minute account of a phenomenon that is just now breaking the surface in the mainstream media and business press.