ABSTRACT
Demographic turning points of China have been predicted by both national and international research institutes. In 2007, the Chinese government published the National Population Development Strategy Research Report, in which the total population was predicted to reach its peak in 2033, and the working population was predicted to decrease from 2016. The national censuses are still the main sources of data used by most Chinese researchers on shrinking cities, although the latest one dated back to 2010. To better understand the use of demographic data in the following chapters, several key features of China’s census data are worth noting. China’s unique administrative system adds another layer of complexity in understanding the Chinese shrinking cities. Academic discussions on shrinking cities have raised the awareness at the central government about the potential and existing risk of urban and regional shrinkages.
