Tech Talk time

Dean Takahashi, Tech Talk columnist for the San Jose Mercury News, had this to say about my new book, Silicon Dragon, in a recent blog post.
Rebecca Fannin has written a book, “Silicon Dragon,” that asserts that China is winning the technology race and that the next Steve Jobs will come from China. Those are pretty bold claims, but Fannin’s book is going to be very interesting for anyone who believes that China’s rise in technology is just beginning.
Here's the link to the full post:
http://www.mercextra.com/blogs/takahashi/2007/12/18/book-preview-rebecca-fannins-silicon-dragon-book-suggests-the-next-steve-jobs-will-be-from-china/

Shanghai beats Seattle

Let me give you an example from my personal travels of one way China is winning the tech race. I travel everywhere with my laptop computer and hook up to the Internet with a wireless connection. Access has invariably worked fine worldwide -- except in SEATTLE, home of Microsoft!

I was in Seattle to attend a recent Red Herring global conference when the troubles began.

The wireless network at two Seattles hotels where I stayed absolutely refused to recognize my computer -- which meant no access. After several lengthy tries to get on without success, finally one of the tireless technicians advised me that the problem had to do with an incompatibility between the wireless network and the Internet protocol address in my Toshiba's Windows Vista operating system.

We finally got it to work once we both powered down our systems at the same time and then synchronized the restart. Voila! A connection. Never enountered these troubles in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Nanchang, or Wuxi. As proof, check out this rainy day scene of my perfectly connected laptop and the smoggy view of the Bund across the river in Shanghai.

Robin Li runs from adoring crowds

This is a photo I took of Baidu founder Robin Li. He is such a celebrity in China that he has to run away from fans. This photo was taken at an entrepreneur conference in Beijing, where Robin was a featured panelist. He made a dash for the door right after his panel ended to avoid being cornered by young Chinese entrepreneurs who want nothing more than to follow in his footsteps.

Alibaba too high?

Alibaba shares nearly tripled on the opening day of trading, then sunk 17% the following day. Analysts say the stock is still overvalued. Trades are at 320 times the company's $83.4 million in net profits for 2007.
The only Chinese Internet stock that comes near Alibaba is Baidu, which is at a 177 price to earnings ratio.
How high can Chinese IPOs fly? The valuations could be a sign of an Internet bubble in China, not unlike the crash and burn times of Silicon Valley during the hyped up late 1990s.

Alibaba IPO soars

Alibaba raised $1.5 billion in a record initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Only Google could claim a more stunning performance.

See Jack Ma practicing his golf swing in celebration.

The story of how Alibaba founder Jack Ma got ahead can be read in my upcoming book, Silicon Dragon, due in bookstores in January 2008.

Silicon Dragon meets Jack Ma of Alibaba

Silicon Dragon features an in-depth profile of the maverick leader of Alibaba, Jack Ma.

I interviewed him at Alibaba headquarters in Hangzhou and got a tour of the place too.

Here's Jack and me in his office.

Jack Ma is the most like Steve Jobs of any of the Chinese entrepreneurs I've met.

Watch for the high-flying Alibaba IPO in early November.

Silicon Dragon breathing fire!

Check out my book!

McGraw-Hill did a nice job designing the cover. The message of the book? Don't be surprised if the next Bill Gates or Steve Jobs comes from China. To pre-order the book, please visit

http://www.amazon.com/Silicon-Dragon-China-Winning-Tech/dp/0071494472