According to Boyé Lafayette De Mente, the key to the successful economy of Japan in the last half of the 20th century, and the current Chinese economy is the reading and application of The Art of War.

He recommends that: "foreigners dealing with China—in business as well as in political affairs—be thoroughly versed in Sun Tsu’s guidelines, particularly when it comes to knowing enough about the mindset and plans of their Chinese counterparts to anticipate their actions, and to have their own strategies and tactics ready to deal with them."