ABSTRACT
Successful reform and sustained economic growth has made China different from other former socialist countries, but the recent emergence of urban poverty represents some of the common problems of transitional economies. Previous chapters have revealed that the urban poor in China are not isolated cases in cities and have become a serious problem. The proportion of urban poor and the extent of poverty are now critical issues to the future development. They could lead to social instability that the Communist Party has tried hard to avoid. In this concluding chapter the different experiences in transition and poverty between eastern European countries and China will be highlighted first. I will then discuss the future prospects for the urban poor in China in relation to the possible effects of further market reform, urbanisation and globalisation. Finally, the chapter will discuss policy options for a more balanced and equal society.
