Red Circle: China and Me 1949-2009

RED CIRCLE: CHINA AND ME, 1949-2009 tells the fascinating story of Stephen Chen and his family. It sketches the history of the People's Republic of China, not merely as a backdrop, but as the driving force of the book's action. RED CIRCLE chronicles the rise and fall and rise again of an extraordinary family. At the same time, it is only one of countless stories that could be told by many millions of Chinese. It tells of the hope, turmoil, and terror in the first 30 years of the PRC and of the transformation, transition, and achievement in the last 30 years. RED CIRCLE is the first work of its kind to cover the making of modern China. The 60-year cycle encompassed by RED CIRCLE is the basis of the traditional Chinese calendar, astrology, and cosmology. The cyclical nature of life and a return to one's roots are fundamental elements in Stephen's story. The ways in which his life reflects and completes that of his father, the stunning symmetries and recurring cycles of RED CIRCLE make for a remarkable read. Stephen has seen China from a range of vantage points that few others have experienced. From the palace he grew up in to brutal labor camps to corporate boardrooms, from stark prisons to secret government offices, Stephen has witnessed history. RED CIRCLE is, however, more than the tale of how a family survives or a nation emerges. At its heart, RED CIRCLE is a thrilling testament to the indomitable will and unconquerable spirit of the individual.

About the Author :
Professor Stephen Songsheng Chen has achieved great success in leading major U.S. corporations into the surging China and Far East markets, as well as establishing and operating his own companies: Amerihua International Enterprises Inc. & Red Circle Publishing & Cultural Exchange International. He recently published his Red Circle: China and Me, 1949-2009, the first book of its kind to cover the making of modern China through the author's true, fascinating stories. Seeking common ground while respecting differences remains to be Stephen's mission to improve cultural exchanges and mutual understanding among peoples in various countries for a better future of the world. Born in 1939 in Beijing, Stephen Chen grew up in a 120-room mansion that had been the palace of a Qing dynasty aristocrat. He graduated from the Beijing Foreign Languages Institute in 1962. After three years in prison and in a desert labor camp as the son of a labeled Rightist, he was called back to Beijing unexpectedly to become a member of the translation team preparing for the visit of President Nixon in 1972. His colorful business experience began in 1978, when China started its open policy. Stephen, with dozens of colleagues, pioneered the initial development of China International Trust & Investment Corp. (CITIC) which became China's largest investment group and holding company. He and his colleagues negotiated, concluded and implemented many significantly large trading transactions and cooperative programs between China and western companies, such as Beatrice Foods, Xerox, Siemens, SAAB, Lockheed, Renault, Terex, Fiat, and major Hong Kong companies. He also served as an interpreter for China state leaders.