ABSTRACT
The state encourages the involvement of foreign partners in China's economy, at a price and subject to government laws and policies. China offers special concessions to those who bring capital and technology, knowing that capitalist nations have the most to provide. Besides being socialist, China belongs to another group: the world's poor nations. China's opening has included several policies. This chapter focuses on three of the most important: policies that concern foreign investment, international trade, and Special Economic Zones. The opportunities the Chinese are turning to grasp are not those of an international system of growing laissez-faire harmony, but of competitive calculation and political action to promote state interests. Chinese commentators, public and private, on China's opening up and other reforms take a realistic view. The distinction between Chinese essence and Western technology was maintained even during the rule of Mao Zedong, by the Chairman himself.
