Litao Zhao

Political Office and Household Wealth: Rural China in the Deng Era

Evidence from sample surveys and local field studies have long supported opposed arguments about the impact of market reform on the value of political office in the rural economy. This article reviews the evidence, describes a gradual convergence in findings, and identifies unresolved questions about qualitatively different local paths of development. Examining previously unexploited data from a nationally representative 1996 survey, a resolution of the remaining issues becomes evident. The value of political office initially is very modest, as the first private entrepreneurs reaped large incomes. However, subsequent economic development led to rapid increases in the earning power of cadres and their kin, and by the end of the Deng era the returns to political office were roughly equal to those of private entrepreneurs. The political advantages were not limited to regions that industrialized rapidly under collective ownership: they were large even in regions where the private economy was most extensive. However, despite evidence of large and enduring political advantages, those who reaped wealth from political position were only a small fraction of the newly rich, the vast majority of whom achieved wealth without current or past office-holding or kinship ties to cadres.

China's new social policy : initiatives for a harmonious society

After more than 30 years of rapid development, China has established herself as an important engine of growth for the world economy. This achievement, however, came with a heavy price, in the form of serious pollution in its developed regions and social problems in areas such as healthcare and housing. This publication studies some of such problems and provides an updated account on a wide range of new social policy initiatives in China. China’s New Social Policy distinguishes itself from other literature in this field. It undertakes a general methodology that assesses the social impact brought about by the market-oriented changes in China’s social policies, and contests the idea whether market-oriented development can result in a more sustainable society. All chapters in the book are crafted by prominent scholars, which include Professor Zheng Yongnian, Director of the East Asian Institute, and Professor Gu Xin, School of Government, Peking University.

China’s Reforms at 30: Challenges and Prospects

This book consists of papers presented at the International Conference on “China: The Next Decade”, organized by the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore in 2007 to commemorate the Institute’s 10th anniversary. With eight papers covering China’s economic, social and political development, this volume offers a balanced yet in-depth assessment of the challenges facing China in the next decade. Featuring contributions from internationally renowned scholars, this timely volume analyzes key aspects of China’s reforms and development, such as the financial reform, international trade, leadership succession, social protests, health care reform and ethnic relationships. It is suitable for China scholars as well as advanced undergraduate and graduate students interested in China’s polity, economy and society.

Educational Expansion in China: Evidence from the 2010 Census

China has released its 2010 Census Data in the form of cross-tabulations by age, education, gender and a few other dimensions. Although not fit for deeper analyses of the patterns of educational attainment, the aggregated census data are the best source for the most accurate description of the extent of educational expansion as well as the temporal patterns. This chapter uses the 2010 Census Data to describe China’s progress towards universalization of 9-year compulsory education, and its shift from elite higher education to mass higher education.

Chinese Society: Stability and Governance

Chinese society was largely stable in 2015 despite the slower economic growth and the stock market crash. Overall, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has prevented local protests from spreading and escalating into a political threat on a national scale. In November 2015, the CCP announced the guidelines for the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020). The shift towards “innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared” development would require more changes in government and society.

Chongqing under Sun Zhengcai

Chongqing is the latest and largest municipality directly under the administration of the central government and the only one in Chinas vast inland regions. Sun Zhengcai, a new Politburo member at the 18th Party Congress, became Chongqings party secretary in November 2011. The former minister of agriculture and later party secretary of Jilin, Sun has demonstrated a down-to-earth working style. Policy-wise, he continues but refines what Chongqing has been doing, with possible breakthroughs in some areas.

Chinese Society Adjusting to the “New Normal”

China has begun the full-fledged implementation of Xis agenda of comprehensively deepening reform. Socially, the much anticipated urbanisation plan was announced in April 2014. Reforms in the social domain have made some progress, albeit uneven across issue areas. As China is in the transition to the economic and social “new normal”, it takes time, vision, will and skills to balance the multiple goals of stabilising growth, adjusting structure, improving livelihoods and deepening reform.

Chinese Society: Rebuilding the Momentum of Social Reform

The Third Plenum of the 18th Party Congress is determined to deepen reform in a wide range of areas. On the social front, three broad areas have received substantial attention. One is the urbanisation programme, or integrated ruralurban development; the second is the development and reform of “social sectors”, a broad term encompassing education, employment, income distribution, social security, healthcare and population policy; and the third is the innovation of “social governance”.

China's Science and Technology System: Governance, Funding and Performance

As China progresses, its Science and Technology (S&T) system evolves as well, driven by new aspirations, changing needs and surging resources. With the rapid growth of research and development expenditure and a growing supply of talents, China has been reshaping the global research landscape. The quality of research however has been criticised as less impressive than the quantity. To become a global innovation powerhouse, China needs to reform its S&T governance, funding and evaluation.