The Political Economy of China's Economic Zones

by George T. Crane

Overview

In 1979 China launched a new international economic policy with the establishment of four Special Economic Zones (SEZs): Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and Shantou in Guangdong Province and Xiamen in Fujian Province. Modelled loosely on export processing zones and free trade zones found in other less developed countries, the SEZs offer a variety of financial inducements to foreign investors in order to harness international business for national economic advantage. Designed to be a cornerstone of China's economic reforms, by 1985 the SEZs (in the mid-80s zone-like policies were extended to fourteen coastal cities) were scandal-ridden and fraught with serious problems. This work, the first book-length analysis in English of China's SEZs, examines the problems and promise of this innovative approach to "structural economic reform" and the comparative significance of the SEZs.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780873325141
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	01/31/1990
Series:	Studies on Contemporary China
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)
Lexile:	1310L (what's this?)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

A graduate of the State University of New York at Purchase, George T. Crane received his Ph.D. in political science from the University of Wisconsin. He is the author of numerous articles on the political economy of China and Taiwan and is the editor of the forthcoming The Theoretical Evolution of International Political Economy. Professor Crane has taught at Georgetown University and Nanjing University and is now an assistant professor of political science at Williams College.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments, Abbreviations, 1 Explaining China’s Special Economic Zones, 2 The Politics of SEZ Creation, 3 SEZ Management and Performance, 1979–1982, 4 Accelerated SEZ Development, 1983–1985, 5 Retrenchment and Revision, 1985–1987, 6 The Political Economy of China’s SEZs, Notes, References, Index

Editorial Reviews

Examines the development and performance of areas set aside by the Chinese government since 1979 to provide foreign investors with more favorable conditions than in the general economy, such as lower taxes and wages. Looks particularly at the reports of mismanagement that led to the 1985 retrenchment of the policy. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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