Ker D. Gibbs, former Chairman and President of the American Chamber of Commerce, Shanghai, will discuss his new book The Fragile Dragon just published by Earnshaw Books, in a lively session moderated by RAS Council Chair, James Miller.
The Fragile Dragon offers a clear-eyed examination of China's rise and its hidden vulnerabilities.
Drawing on the author's experience as President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai under Presidents Obama, Trump, and Biden, the book analyzes key business and political developments from both Western and Chinese perspectives.
The narrative intertwines the story of his family—including an opium addict, an American codebreaker, and a Chinese revolutionary—with broader geopolitical themes. As an American businessman of Chinese ancestry, the author had extraordinary access to leaders on both sides, giving him remarkable insight into why tensions between the US and China have escalated so sharply, threatening global commerce and stability.
Finally, Mr. Gibbs offers guidance on how business people can think about China and what it takes to succeed, whether it's navigating the narrow corridor between what China wants and what the US will allow, partnering with rather than competing against local players, or structuring businesses to minimize risk if a catastrophic event takes place, as appears more and more likely.
Agenda
4
00PM
-
4
30PM
Welcome and Registration
James Miller4
30PM
-
5
30PM
Book Talk with Ker Gibbs
Ker Gibbs5
30PM
-
6
00PM
Discussion and Networking
Ker Gibbs•James MillerWelcome and Registration
Speakers
James Miller
Vice President and Council Chair of Royal Asiatic Society China in ShanghaiJames Miller is Professor of Humanities and Associate Dean at Duke Kunshan University. He is known worldwide as a scholar of Daoism, China's indigenous religion and has published numerous books, essays and articles on Chinese philosophy and religion.
Book Talk with Ker Gibbs
Speakers
Ker Gibbs
Former Chairman and President of American Chamber of Commerce, ShanghaiKer Gibbs came to China in the 1990s with the Boston Consulting Group; since then he has split his time between Asia and Silicon Valley, serving in executive positions with Apple, Disney, and high-growth Internet businesses. His career in tech led him to banking, where he became head of technology and media in Greater China for HSBC. He served as the chairman and later president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, which he has written about in his new book, The Fragile Dragon.
Ker Gibbs holds a BA in economics from UCLA and an MBA from UC Berkeley. He lives in San Francisco and Shanghai.
Discussion and Networking
Speakers
Ker Gibbs
Former Chairman and President of American Chamber of Commerce, ShanghaiKer Gibbs came to China in the 1990s with the Boston Consulting Group; since then he has split his time between Asia and Silicon Valley, serving in executive positions with Apple, Disney, and high-growth Internet businesses. His career in tech led him to banking, where he became head of technology and media in Greater China for HSBC. He served as the chairman and later president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, which he has written about in his new book, The Fragile Dragon.
Ker Gibbs holds a BA in economics from UCLA and an MBA from UC Berkeley. He lives in San Francisco and Shanghai.
James Miller
Vice President and Council Chair of Royal Asiatic Society China in ShanghaiJames Miller is Professor of Humanities and Associate Dean at Duke Kunshan University. He is known worldwide as a scholar of Daoism, China's indigenous religion and has published numerous books, essays and articles on Chinese philosophy and religion.
Speakers
James Miller
Vice President and Council Chair of Royal Asiatic Society China in Shanghai
More Information
Ker Gibbs
Former Chairman and President of American Chamber of Commerce, Shanghai
Ker Gibbs came to China in the 1990s with the Boston Consulting Group; since then he has split his time between Asia and Silicon Valley, serving in executive positions with Apple, Disney, and high-growth Internet businesses. His career in tech led him to banking, where he became head of technology and media in Greater China for HSBC. He served as the chairman and later president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, which he has written about in his new book, The Fragile Dragon.
Ker Gibbs holds a BA in economics from UCLA and an MBA from UC Berkeley. He lives in San Francisco and Shanghai.
James Miller
Vice President and Council Chair of Royal Asiatic Society China in Shanghai
James Miller is Professor of Humanities and Associate Dean at Duke Kunshan University. He is known worldwide as a scholar of Daoism, China's indigenous religion and has published numerous books, essays and articles on Chinese philosophy and religion.
Tickets
Members of other RAS branches (Beijing, Hong Kong, Korea, etc.)
RMB 50
Standard Price
Buy TicketFor members of other RAS branches and chapters.
You may be asked to provide proof of membership.
Includes one drink.RAS China institutional member
RMB 50
Standard Price
Buy TicketMax. 5 tickets per RAS Institutional member. Includes one drink.