ABSTRACT
Social mobility mechanisms based mainly on acquired merits are replacing traditional mechanisms based on ascribed factors. In terms of broad frameworks, there are three approaches to the study of social structure in contemporary China: the first approach is two-class analysis, which is based on the belief in a classification of some classes and several strata. The second is class analysis, which divides the Chinese society into several classes. The third approach his represented by people who advocate stratum analysis and believe that, the method of stratum analysis is better and accords with the current national conditions in the country. The economy and ownership have become diversified, society has undergone the process of differentiation and multiple interest groups have emerged practically. The mechanisms of social mobility have changed, and a modern social structure — including mechanisms of mobility of a modern society — are taking shape.
