This book presents a concise introduction to China in the Xi Jinping era. 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. It will also be useful for more advanced students who need to understand developments in China outside their own primary disciplines.
The book provides an up-to-date and clear guide to the changes which have taken place in China in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, including the recent further changes which are taking place under Xi Jinping’s regime. It draws on the enormous body of empirical and theoretical research that is being carried out by economists, political scientists, and sociologists on 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.
Part 1 Introduction Chap 1 Land, People and Culture Chap 2 China’s Past in the Present Part 2 Politics Chap 3 Government and Politics Chap 4 Fourth Generation Leadership Chap 5 Murder and corruption in the leadership: Bo Xilai and Zhou Yongkang Chap 6 Rise of Xi Jinping: Fifth Generation Leadership Part 3 Economy Chap 7 Economic Growth and the Changing Economy Chap 8 Rural Economy Chap 9 Urban and Industrial Economy Chap 10 Banking, Finance and Foreign Trade Chap 11 Tourism and Transport Chap 12 Western Development to Belt and Road Chap 13 Belt and Road Initiative Part 4 Society Chap 14 Social Change: Rural Reforms and Urbanisation Chap 15 Education and Health Chap 16 Law and Human Rights Chap 17 Mass Media Chap 18 Religion and Ethnic Minorities Chap 19 Gender and Modernisation Chap 20 Environment Part 5 China’s Periphery Chap 21 Tibet Chap 22 Xinjiang Chap 23 Inner Mongolia Chap 24 Hong Kong and Macao Chap 25 Taiwan Part 6 International Relations Chap 26 China and the world 1: strategic relationships Chap 27 China and the world 2: neighbours to the west Part 7 Prospects: Struggle between Two New Lines Chap 28 After Xi: Harmonious Society or New Authoritarianism
Biography
Michael Dillon is Professor of History and Affiliate of the Lau China Centre at King’s College, London. He was formerly Director of the Centre for Contemporary Chinese Studies at the University of Durham and Visiting Professor at Tsinghua University, Beijing. He is the author of Contemporary China – An Introduction (Routledge 2009).
