China has experienced radical societal change since the initiation of the reform and openness programme in 1978. These changes have brought about significant income discrepancy between regions, social classes and generations; rendering the fair distribution of income an ever more important socio-economic question.


This book is a collection of eleven papers on the income distribution problem in Chinese society from 1978 to the early 21st century authored by Zhao Renwei, the former director of the Institute of Economics of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The author examines the imbalance in income distribution in Chinese society from a socio-economic perspective and uses a myriad of examples to support his arguments while drawing conclusions as to ways forward for policy makers.


The book is an essential reference for students and scholars interested in social and economic reform in Chinese society. It will appeal additionally to policy makers concerned with the question of income distribution.