Dancing with the Dragon - by Patrick Jenevein

Book Synopsis

In an honest and freewheeling conversation with New York Times best-selling author Steve Fiffer, Jenevein recounts the story of his two-decade attempt to work fairly, forthrightly, and faithfully with his Chinese counterparts, his travels via jumbo jets, puddle jumpers, jeeps, and camels, his elation over sealing a groundbreaking deal designed to bring success to everyone, and his disappointment-and disbelief-over being betrayed by his Chinese partners, who had also become friends. Equally important, he reflects on the current state of US-China relations and offers a roadmap for the critical coming years.

In his twenties, Jenevein accidentally fell into the energy business in Texas; in his thirties he serendipitously fell into the energy business in China; and in his forties, he pivoted from building power plants and wind farms to manufacturing wind turbine blades. Within five-plus years, that joint venture with China's state-controlled aviation and military behemoth AVIC was valued at $1.8 billion.

Buoyed by their success, the partners set their sights on the burgeoning wind farm markets in the US, Europe, and South America. When his Chinese partners breached the new venture's contract, Jenevein sought an amicable resolution, but the Communists played by their own rules. In harrowing detail, he relates how they not only refused to settle the dispute but also threatened him and his family.

These tribulations led to a trial with issues that eventually worked their way up to the US Supreme Court. Jenevein painstakingly recreates the prickly David v Goliath proceedings that led to a rare instance in which a US company prevailed against a state-controlled Chinese entity...and actually collected on the judgment.

Jenevein is currently persona non grata in China. But thanks to his unique understanding of that nation's culture, politics, and business, he has built a successful strategic consulting firm whose clients include the US government agencies and numerous multinational corporations. In a thoughtful coda to this cautionary tale, the old China hand shares his thoughts about how to deal with the dragon today and in the future. Educating ourselves about the world's only other superpower is essential, he says. Both entertaining and eye-opening, Dancing with the Dragon is an excellent primer for doing just that.

Review Quotes

"An unvarnished firsthand account of both the promise and pitfalls of doing business in China, ending with corruption and betrayal and featuring secretly taped recordings and dramatic courtroom battles. A 'much needed' and uniquely nuanced portrayal of what it means to dance with the dragon."

-- Elizabeth C. Economy, Senior Advisor (for China) to the Secretary of Commerce, and bestselling author of The World According to China, among others

"... Jenevein's harrowing David v. Goliath story of partnering with then battling the Chinese state's behemoth defense contractor ... Helpful to leaders around the world ... [with] provocative but insightful suggestions on addressing a broad range of challenges that emanate from the Communist Party of China .... Simply: caveat emptor."

-- Kenneth A. Hersh, President and CEO, George W. Bush Presidential Center and co-founder and former CEO, NGP Energy Capital Management

"Patrick's narrative will shock the average reader with its exposé of the hardball tactics his Chinese 'partners' used to undercut his budding enterprise and appropriate his company's employees, projects, and opportunities. As the Wall Street Journal observed, the 'legal record should serve as a warning to any American considering business with ... Chinese state-owned enterprises.'"

-- Robert W. Jordan Ambassador (Ret.), and author (with Steve Fiffer) of Desert Diplomat: Inside Saudi Arabia Following 9/11

"Jenevein's story reads like a thriller. Knowing he made it through the journey and prevailed, his takeaways from brawling with the Communist Party add perspectives that can and should help any US administration stand up to China."

-- Dr. Rob Spalding, Brig Gen, USAF (Ret), CEO of SEMPRE, and bestselling author of War Without Rules: China's Playbook for Global Domination and Stealth War: How China Took Over While America's Elite Slept

"A master class in how to use customized intelligence and the rule of law to thwart the malevolent intentions of a major PRC state-owned enterprise. This book should be required reading for business and government leaders grappling with the challenges posed by the Communist Party of China."

-- Jay T. Young, CAPT (Ret.), USNR, Intelligence, President, Dallas Committee on Foreign Relations