Hu Angang's new book, On China’s Political and Economic History (1989-2002), the fourth in his magisterial series, provides a comprehensive description of China's reform, opening up and modernization during the crucial period when China’s path of political economy was set firmly for the future, establishing China’s unique form of a “socialist market economy” or “socialism with Chinese characteristics”. The book analyzes macroeconomic trends and assesses developmental characteristics of various sectors, all in the context of evolving national conditions, domestic politics and international perspectives. It explains the forces and logic behind major decisions such as “deepening” economic reform, expanding openness to the world, joining the World Trade Organization, and leveraging economic globalization. The book is rich in historical information and detailed data, and thus is an important reference for understanding the history of China's reform and opening-up policy; and it offers in-depth analysis and insightful argument, and thus is an astute guide for understanding the formation and development of the Chinese Way. Hu is an extraordinary scholar and a fearless advocate, and whether or not one agrees entirely with his views, all who engage with China’s political and economy history must engage with this masterful book.

Robert Lawrence Kuhn

Chairman, The Kuhn Foundation

Creator and Host, Closer To Truth

China Reform Friendship Medalist (2018)

 Contents 

Introduction

Chapter 1

Taking on the International Challenges of the 1990s

Chapter 2

Deng Xiaoping's Southern Tour and the 14th Party Congress

Chapter 3

From a Socialist Planned Commodity Economy to a Socialist Market Economy

Chapter 4

From Economic Overheating to Macroeconomic Regulation

Chapter 5

From Decentralization to Tax-sharing Reforms

Chapter 6

From Deng Xiaoping Theory to Jiang Zemin's Governance

Chapter 7

From Soft Landing to Expanding Domestic Demand

Chapter 8

From the Reassignment of Laid-off Workers to the Employment-first Policy

Chapter 9

From a Pro-coastal Policy to the Strategy of Coordinated Regional Development

Chapter 10

From Dual Public Ownership to a Mixed Ownership Economy

Chapter 11

From Rural Development to Urban Development

Chapter 12

From Ecological Deficit to Sustainable Development

Chapter 13

From the Economic Race to the Knowledge Race

Chapter 14

From Opening up to Going Global

Chapter 15

From a Major Power to Entering the World Stage

Chapter 16

Tackling Major Domestic Changes

Chapter 17

Building on the Past and Breaking New Ground for the Future — The 16th National Congress of the CPC

Chapter 18

A Summary of History and Lessons Learned

Epilogue I

Epilogue II