One of the most dramatic events in the global economy over the past few decades has been the rise of China as a global economic power. From humble beginnings in the late 1970s, the policy shift in China from a planned to market economy has led to economic growth of tremendous speed.

This book examines the changes taking place in China’s economy today and the impacts of these changes in China and abroad. The central theme is that the rapid economic growth has come at a cost, as many problems have emerged as a result in China’s economy and society, including a dramatic rich-poor gap, labour issues, problems in the banking sector and severe inflation in the cost of housing, as well as challenges with respect to China’s external trade. The Chinese government recognizes these problems and is taking steps to rebalance its economy and society. The book takes a political economy perspective in order to investigate the interplay between the political system in China and the way in which the economy is structured, and the manner in which economic changes take place. Demonstrating that in order for China to achieve sustained economic growth and social improvement it must undertake serious policy changes, it also highlights that if countries are going to deal with China in a stable and productive manner, a thorough understanding of key contemporary developments in that country is vital.

Covering a range of the most pertinent issues facing China today, this book will be of interest to students and scholars of Chinese Economics, Economic Development and Political Economy.