ABSTRACT
This book is highly useful not only to casual China watchers . . . but also to researchers and academics . . . Especially interesting was the middle section on political developments and the work of the various government congresses since the early 1990s, which provides an engrossing guide to the political priorities of the National People’s Congress and other departments, including both domestic and international issues involving East Asia, the United States and elsewhere in the world. Also noteworthy was the section on China’s emerging ‘open door’ policies which records Beijing’s struggles with adapting to a globalized economy, with sections on liberalized trade, engagement with economic institutions, and currency policies, all areas of increasing interest to both analysts and policy communities. Additionally, those interested in the politics of healthcare in China will be especially impressed with the range of topics included . . . [including] the SARS crisis . . . AIDS and avian influenza . . . [Other topics covered include] the transfer of Hong Kong and Macao to Chinese sovereignty . . . the Taiwan question . . . township elections . . . market development, the reform of state enterprises . . . [and] agriculture.
