The revised and updated edition sets out to analyze and compare the operational mechanisms of the Chinese economy between the pre-reform and post-reform periods and through national, regional and local dimensions. It examines the driving forces -- both endogenous and exogenous -- for, and how they have influenced, China's economic development during the past decades. The book examines both the positive and negative consequences of the Chinese economic transformation. A multiregional comparison of the Chinese economy is conducted in terms of natural and human resources, institutional evolution, as well as economic and social performances. This third enlarged edition includes many significantly revised chapters and new boxed examples. For the first time, many valuable chapter-end case studies, some of which are based on the author's field-inspections and micro-level surveys in China, are provided.

Table of Contents

List of Boxes List of Figures List of Tables List of Abbreviations Foreword Preface Key Terms Map PART I: A BRIEF HISTORY OF CHINA The Origins of the Nation Rise and Fall of the Empire China in the New Millennium Summary Case Study: Why Yellow River is Important PART II: SPATIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS Administrative Divisions Great Regions Geographical Belts Southern and Northern Parts Ethno-Culture Areas Summary Case Study: Who owns Lake Weishan? PART III: HUMAN AND CULTURAL CONTEXTS Human and Cultural Contexts Population Labour Force Education Cultural Context Summary Case Study: Age, Gender, Education and Earnings PART IV: POLITICAL ECONOMIC SYSTEMS IN TRANSITION Plan and Market Employment Production and Ownership Public Finance Banking External Relations Summary Case study: System Dynamics -- a Feedback Model PART V: UNDERSTANDING CHINESE ECONOMIC REFORM Understanding Chinese Economic Reform A Brief Narrative Interest Groups and Stakeholders Radical Reform, the (Un)successful Cases Gradual/Partial Reform, the (Un)successful Cases Whither Chinese-style Reform? Summary Case Study: Games between Radicals and Conservatives PART VI: ECONOMIC GROWTH AND INCOME DISTRIBUTION China's Growth Performance Measuring Income Inequality Inequality: Causes and Consequences Poverty and Social Security Summary Case Study: A Tale of Two Companies in Transitions PART VII: A MULTIREGIONAL ECONOMIC COMPARISON About Statistical Data Macroeconomic Performance Real Living Standards Regional Economic Disparity Summary Case Study: Similar Initial Conditions, Varied Results PART VIII: SPATIAL ECONOMICS AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY Spatial Economics and Development Strategy Comparative Advantage Index Spatial Economic Separation China's Search for Spatial Integration Regional Development Strategy Summary Case Study: Fighting for Rainfalls? PART IX: INDUSTRIALIZATION AND TECHNOLOGICAL PROGRESS China's Efforts on Industrialization Post-Reform Industrialization A Comparative Analysis Technological Progress Summary Case Study: Technological and Economic Leapfrogging PART X: THE QUEST FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Background Natural Resources Energy Production and Consumption Environmental Situation Chinese Environmental Policy Summary Case Study: Should Chinese Legislations be Revised? PART XI: INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC INFLUENCES International Economic Influences Historical Review Foreign Direct Investment Foreign Trade A Quantitative Analysis Summary Case Study: Cultural Influences on Foreign Trade PART XII: THE GREATER CHINA AREA: RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT Historical Evolution Social and Economic Differences Complementary Conditions Cross-Straits Economic Relations Future Perspective Case Study: Overseas Chinese Economics Appendices Basic Conditions of the Ethnic Minorities A List of Major Reforms from 1978 to 2008 Bibliography

About the Author

RONGXING GUO is Professor of Economics at Regional Science Association of China. He has worked and taught at Korea University (Seoul), FEEM (Milan), Trier University (Germany), CUMT (Xuzhou and Beijing), Peking University (Beijing) and ANU (Canberra). In 2008 Guo received an Award for Outstanding Research on Development (Government of Japan and the GDN).

Reviews

'The first and second editions of this book were selected as the 'Best Book on Chinese Economy' by Questia librarians of the United States and as of the 'Ten Best Books' by the National Library of China.' 'The world is watching the miraculous development of the Chinese economy with varied emotions: envy, hope, concern...The richness of the material and the clarity of the analysis!will certainly provide valuable information for those hoping to learn from the Chinese experience.' - from the Foreword by Lyn Squire, Founder and First President of Global Development Network