You’re probably aware that Donald Trump was elected as US President yesterday. It’s fair to say that reaction to this news has been mixed. But look on the bright side! He likes to read books about China.

In an interview with Xinhua, the official Chinese news agency, Trump said, “I’ve read hundreds of books about China over the decades.”

CHINA: Portrait of a People“I know the Chinese. I’ve made a lot of money with the Chinese. I understand the Chinese mind,” he said, in comments reported by the Los Angeles Times.

Among the 20 books he then listed as his favourites was our own CHINA: Portrait of a People by photojournalist Tom Carter.

When asked if he had any comment on the elite endorsement, Carter, who previously worked in national and state American politics before expatriating to China, only offered a circumspect hashtag: #FeelingConflicted

But the lesson is clear: reading books can help you get ahead. In a bigly way.