Traditionally, political scientists and economists have seen China as a single entity; business people have seen China as a single market. This book challenges the notion of a centralized and unified China, and outlines how provinces are taking on new economic and political roles, forced upon them by decentralization. Whilst central leadership in Beijing retains overall initative, decision-making powers in major policies are shifting to the provinces. They are becoming economic and political agents with their own economic/social agendas, and distinct political and cultural identities. This...

Traditionally, political scientists and economists have seen China as a single entity; business people have seen China as a single market. This book challenges the notion of a centralized and unified China, and outlines how provinces are taking on new economic and political roles, forced upon them by decentralization. Whilst central leadership in Beijing retains overall initative, decision-making powers in major policies are shifting to the provinces. They are becoming economic and political agents with their own economic/social agendas, and distinct political and cultural identities. This...