ABSTRACT
This chapter briefly reviews the development of the Chinese manufacturing industry since 1978. During the past four decades, the Chinese manufacturing industry has obtained impressive achievements and its competitive landscape has also changed remarkably. Nowadays, Chinese private manufacturing firms have become indispensable indigenous players in both domestic and international territories. Given its global reputation and dramatic changes, the Chinese manufacturing industry is facing severe challenges in global competition. Chinese private manufacturing firms, in particular, are encountering huge pressure. Due to the importance of private manufacturing firms in economic growth, employment, export, global competition and system reform, it is of significance to examine their current challenges and explore feasible ways for their further development. Chapter 1 introduces the outline of the book. Chapter 2 is on study design, Chapter 3 on Wenzhou’s economic development, Chapter 4 on the first case study of the footwear industry, Chapter 5 on the second case study of the electrical equipment industry and Chapter 6 is the conclusion.
