This book presents a concise introduction to contemporary China. It is intended as a first book for those coming new to the subject, providing the essential information that most people need to know, without going into excessive detail. Its coverage includes the economy, society, politics and international relations; China's history, especially the twentieth century; and Taiwan and Hong Kong as well as the People's Republic of China. The book provides an up-to-date and clear guide to the often bewildering changes which have taken place in China in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. It draws on the enormous body of empirical and theoretical research that is being carried out by economists, political scientists and sociologists on contemporary China, but is itself written in non-technical and accessible language. It does not assume any previous knowledge of China and explanations of Chinese terms are provided throughout the book. It includes a map, a chronology, a glossary of Chinese terms, biographical notes on key figures, and a guide to further reading.
Author(s): Michael Dillon
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2008
Language: English
Pages: 308
Tags: Международные отношения;Регионоведение;Зарубежное регионоведение;Регионоведение Китая;
Book Cover......Page 1
Title......Page 4
Copyright......Page 5
Contents......Page 6
Preface......Page 8
Acknowledgements......Page 12
Abbreviations......Page 14
Chronology......Page 16
Part I Introduction......Page 18
1 Land, people and culture......Page 20
2 China’s past in the present......Page 27
Part II The economy......Page 38
3 Economic growth and the changing economy......Page 40
4 Rural economy......Page 45
5 Urban and industrial economy......Page 57
6 Banking, finance and foreign trade......Page 61
7 Tourism and transport......Page 69
Part III Society......Page 74
8 Rural and urban social change......Page 76
9 Education and health......Page 83
10 Law and human rights......Page 99
11 Mass media......Page 113
12 Religion and ethnic minorities......Page 120
13 Gender and modernisation......Page 138
14 Environment......Page 143
Part IV Politics and international relations......Page 152
15 Government and politics......Page 154
16 Fourth- and fifth-generation leadership......Page 178
17 Tibet......Page 185
18 Xinjiang......Page 193
19 Hong Kong......Page 200
20 Taiwan......Page 207
21 Western Development programme......Page 216
22 China and the world 1: Strategic relationships......Page 231
23 China and the world 2: New neighbours to the west......Page 255
24 China rising and a ‘harmonious society’?......Page 270
Glossary of selected Chinese terms......Page 277
Biographical notes......Page 280
Further reading......Page 285
Notes......Page 287
Index......Page 299
