ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the debate about the development of social work in China from a governmental perspective. On one hand, the party state has been constructing social work as a governmental technology and exercises direct and indirect control on social work education and practices. On the other hand, progressive social work educators and practitioners have been crafting discursive and institutional spaces for exploring alternative social work practices beyond state agenda. The authors hope for vibrant discussion in civil society to construct ‘social work with Chinese characteristics.’
