Industrial Development In Modern China

As the second volume of the two-volume Industrial Development in Modern China: Comparisons with Japan that studies the different paths of industrialization and economic modernization between China and Japan, this book explores the process of economic and industrial development in the Republic of China (1912-1949). Backed up by extensive industrial statistical data gathered and rigorously analyzed by the author, this book stands out from previous research that has been limited to theoretical inferences and general judgments with scarce empirical evidence. So, far from being a purely historical review of China's industrial development, this book focuses on the internal logic of economic phenomena, especially the relationship among economic variables reflected in economic data, and it offers discussions within the framework of economic development theory. It sheds light on how China came to be a comparative economic laggard in the period, especially in comparison to Japan. The author uses multivariate statistical analysis to draw comparisons between the industrial development of China and that of Japan, focusing on outbound investment and its importance for economic growth. This volume will appeal to academics and general readers interested in the economic development and modern economic history of East Asia, as well as development economics and industrial and technological history.

The two-volume book studies the economic and industrial development of Japan and China in modern times and draws distinctions between the different paths of industrialization and economic modernization taken in the two countries, based on statistical materials, quantitative analysis and multivariate statistical analysis. The first volume analyses the relationship between technological innovation and economic development in Japan before World War II and sheds light on technological innovation in the Japanese context with particular emphasis on the importance of the patent system. The second volume studies the basic conditions and overall economic development of industrial development, chiefly during the period of the Republic of China (1912-1949), taking a comparative perspective and bringing the case of modern Japan into the discussion. The book will appeal to academics and general readers interested in economic development and the modern economic history of East Asia, development economics, as well as industrial and technological history.

As the first volume of a two-volume set on Chinese economic history, this book investigates Chinese economic development between 1912 and 1949 and unravels the overall level during that time. From the perspective of development economics, the two-volume set studies the economic history and development of China since 1912, with a focus on the quantitative analysis of economic activities. Comprised of two core parts, this first volume, centering on the period of the Republic of China, first describes the historical process and characteristics of the economy at different stages and then looks into the momentum and inner logic that underpin the economic development. The former part covers issues of agriculture, industry, population, and labour force, urbanization, price changes, people’s consumption and living standard, regional difference, etc. The latter part includes discussions on natural and human resources, capital formation and technological progress, the role of government and finance, international trade, and foreign capital. This title will be an interesting read for scholars and students working on Chinese economic history, the Chinese economy, and modern Chinese society.

Annotation This text provides a focused analysis of the main Chinese industrial sectors through case studies, data analysis and review of new state-initiated policies.

'This book is a remarkable tour de force. Joseph Chai offers a fine synthesis of thinking about the nature and origins of China's long-run economic growth and structural change. Through the meticulous use of an impressive range of sources, he explores some of the most challenging puzzles of China's economic history, such as its failure to match the modern industrial revolutions of Western Europe, or, closer to home, to rival Japan's economic transformation in the final decades of the nineteenth century. His definition of history is broad and his narrative extends down to the present day, thereby illuminating continuities and discontinuities across not only the historical divides of 1840 and 1911, but also those of 1949 and 1979. But despite its ambitious scope, Chai's analysis is authoritative, nuanced and full of detail. It will surely become necessary reading not only within the academic community of China scholars and students, but also among that even larger audience of readers seeking to understand the "rise of China".' Robert Ash, University of London, UK 'For most people interested in the contemporary Chinese economy, the story begins with Deng Xiaoping's policy of Opening and Reform in 1978. This is especially true of students from China, where modern history is still taught in a simple, politically determined framework. This situation urgently needs remedying and Joseph Chai's new book is a valuable step in this direction. Chai surveys China's economic growth from the earliest times to the present day explaining the key turning points and the intellectual puzzles that arise in this long evolution. This book will be of interest to the general reader and will be valuable as a textbook for students studying any aspect of China's current development and prospects.' Christopher Howe, University of London, UK 'Joseph Chai places the recent phase of China's spectacular economic growth in its historical context in his well-researched, interesting and accessible overview of the economic history of China. Because no similar up-to-date book is available in English, English readers will find this book particularly welcome. Valuable attributes of his exposition include analyses of various economic puzzles (for example, why did China, which was once the world's economic leader, falter, suffer economic retardation, fall behind Europe and begin its economic resurgence later than Japan?) and his thoughtful considerations of the prospects for China's future economic growth. This book is highly recommended.' Clem Tisdell, The University of Queensland, Australia As a country's current development is path dependent, the rise of China and its strategic implications can only be understood in a historical context. Hence, the key to understanding contemporary China is the understanding of its past. So far there has been an absence of a comprehensive text dealing with Chinese economic history in the English language. An Economic History of Modern China fills this important gap, focusing on modern Chinese economic growth and comprehensively surveying the patterns of China's growth experience over the past 200 years, from the Opium wars to the present day. Key events are traced back to their foundations in history to explain their impact on China's modern economic growth.

As the second volume of a two-volume set on the Chinese economic history, this book investigates Chinese economic development since 1949, uncovering the momentum, unique models, and general laws of economy in China. From the perspective of development economics, the two-volume set studies the economic history and development of China since 1912, with a focus on the quantitative analysis of economic activities. This volume describes the historical process and characteristics of the economy since 1949, then looks into the momentum and inner logic that underpin the economic development. The former part covers issues of agriculture, industry, population and labor force, urbanization and mobility, income distribution and poverty, and price changes. The latter part includes analyses on the capital formation, human resources, technological progress, institutions, macro policies, international trade, and direct investment. This title will interest scholars and students working on Chinese economic history, the Chinese economy, and modern Chinese society.