The Chinese government is one of the most important actors in international affairs today. China’s global economic and diplomatic presence is challenging the earlier dominance by the Western powers. To thoroughly understand how the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has grown in power requires a careful analysis of its political system. What contribution has the political system and government activity made in respect to China’s economic transformation? What consequences will the economic modernisation and world-economic integration have on the political system? Is the political system able to adapt to changing economic, technological, and international conditions? Which potentials and risks will shape the mid-term development of the political system?
The book offers a differentiated understanding of the conditions, potentials and risks of the political development in China. It is based on a comprehensive of analysis of Chinese resources and gives readers the most current overview of international China research.
"China's political system" published by Rowman & Littlefield Publishers is available on Amazon.
The German version of the book is available in bookshops or online at:
Updates on China's Political System
We have updated all chapters until May 2018. You can browse all updates on China's Political System by key word or chapter of the book.
4.6 The role of government in the banking and financial systems
The three banks, China Development Bank, Export-Import Bank of China, and the Agricultural Development Bank will face mechanisms intended to make sure they won’t lend more cash than they can afford.
The commission is tasked to coordinate reforms and regulations between existing regulators and hold regulators and local governments accountable for failure to enact policy.
4.9 Decentralized economic policies and regional disparities
In a further push to advance targets for industrial upgrading, the State Council released a circular to establish regional Made in China 2025 demonstration zones. The circular calls for cities and regional clusters to improve innovation and industrial upgrading. To achieve national targets cities or regions are also encouraged to make use of flexible micro policies.
The State Council has announced new financial experiments within the Shanghai port following disappointment in how policies in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone (FTZ) introduced in 2013 worked out. The newly introduced policies in the port area include eased capital controls, removal of customs duties and fewer clearance procedures compared to the Shanghai FTZ.
5.3 Rural society
Shortly after a fatal fire in a Beijing outskirt, the municipal government ordered a 40-day crackdown of buildings with potential fire hazards, according to a directive issued by the Beijing Work Safety Committee. Thousands of Beijing tenants, mostly migrant workers, are being evicted from their homes as a result.
6.2 Administrative modernization and economic deregulation
The Modernization of China’s State Governance. Hu, A., Tang, X., Yang, Z., Yan, Y.; Springer Verlag 2017.
6.7 Public budgets: The role of local-government financing platforms
The commission is tasked to coordinate reforms and regulations between existing regulators and hold regulators and local governments accountable for failure to enact policy
6.8 Infrastructure policy and the high-speed rail network
At the end of November, China’s railway authorities report that Chinese companies are involved in more than 20 railway projects overseas, with a total investment of over 100 billion RMB. All projects are said to be linked to the Belt and Road Initiative with the aim to promote cooperation along the new Silk Road.