The China Society Yearbook, Volume 5 continues the ten-year tradition of presenting precise and venerable academic principles by compiling the findings of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences’ subject research group for the “Analysis and Forecast of the Social Situation”.

With a population of now over 1.3 billion people, any change in China’s social environment is bound to have dramatic impact. The China Society Yearbook (2006) provides analysis of and commentary on social issues in contemporary China, broken down into chapters on different aspects of China’s social development, including change in social structure, population growth, employment, standard of living and education. The Yearbook provides detailed insight into the vast changes in Chinese society since the foundation of the People’s Republic of China and the Mao period, the effects of the country’s ongoing reform and liberalization process on its social makeup, the main aims of the 11th Five-Year Plan, and the daunting problems that China’s economic and social planners face as their country’s economy adapts to a free market system, while raising the standard of living and generating employment for its burgeoning work force. Also included are in-depth comparisons of the country’s different social groups, including its 120 million migrant workers, as well as descriptions of social development in different areas of China’s vast hinterland, where economic development varies greatly from that of the economically and socially upwardly-mobile coastal crescent. Compiled and edited by top sociologists of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), this collection of current research and analysis represents some of the most pioneering and influential articles by social science scholars in the People’s Republic of China.

The China Society Yearbook, Volume 5 continues the ten-year tradition of presenting precise and venerable academic principles by compiling the findings of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences’ subject research group for the “Analysis and Forecast of the Social Situation”. The focus of the research group centered around three themes for 2009-2010. First, the steps China is taking to lead the country away from the shadow of the financial crisis and begin a new stage of growth. The second focus was how to organize this new growth stage. China's development relies on upgrading the industrial structures, transforming the social and economic structures, and stimulating domestic consumption demand. Finally, the group addressed China’s policy of an overall restructuring that focuses on major societal issues such as employment, division of income, education, health and medical systems, social security, the urban-rural administration system, public institution administration, and the community and social organizational reform. Written by contributors from professional research and survey organizations, universities, and related governmental sections, The China Society Yearbook, Volume 5 provides an excellent resource for those interested in current societal changes in China.

The year 2008 marked a historical turning point for China, with the 30th anniversary of the launch of China’s opening and reform policy, and the Olympic Games in Beijing. On a negative note, the year was also marked by the Sichuan earthquake and the subprime mortgage crisis in the USA. China maintained a growth rate of 10% from 2003 to 2007, and began to adjust its industrial structures, shift development modes, and reform the urban-rural duality. China also increased its investment in employment, education, healthcare, social security, and public service sectors, especially in rural areas. The international economic crisis has however dragged down the international economic situation, in response to which the Chinese government is aiming to invest RMB 4 trillion over the next two years to confront this major challenge. China’s economic and social development situation in 2009 will have major significance in the drafting of future economic policy.

The 2008 volume of The China Society Yearbook, the third volume in the annual China Society Blue Book series to be translated into English, contains important statistics and analysis from Chinese scholars on a wide array of social issues in China. Topics explored in this volume include employment, social security, national health insurance, labor security, political participation, the internet, food safety, corruption, and quality of life.

The 2007 volume of The China Society Yearbook, the second volume in the annual China Society Blue Book series to be translated into English, contains important facts and analysis from Chinese scholars on a wide array of issues in China. Along with analysis, this volume offers recommendations and insight into the daunting issues and opportunities facing China as it moves towards a free-market system.

The year 2008 marked a historical turning point for China, with the 30th anniversary of the launch of China’s opening and reform policy, the Beijing Olympics, the Sichuan earthquake and the subprime mortgage crisis in the USA. China was in the midst of an economic boom, and began to invest and modernize more fully, but the international economic crisis affected the country and the Chinese government is aiming to confront this major challenge.