After having lived in Taipei for ten years, Troy Parfitt sets out on an epic journey to test the theory that China is ascending toward a position of global hegemony. The result is whirlwind tour of the Chinese world, one that enlightens, astonishes, and entertains. Parfitt shows us he is the perfect China tour guide: the steward of an intimate knowledge of the nation's history, culture, and psyche – yet not serving any interest other than an investigative one. Here is a unique and powerful book, one that will change the way people think about China and its "great rise." Why China Will Never Rule the World is a tour de force; vital for anyone wishing to understand what China is, what is has been, and what it is likely to become.