State Intervention and Business in China: The Role of Preferential Policies - Tapa dura

`Within a comparatively short text, Lu and Tang have succeeded in analysing a very complex area in an accessible way and have provided extensive tables of data. This is a book for specialists interested in economic developments in China, rather than for the business generalist; it addresses issues that are rarely brought together, giving an overall analysis of scope and impact of government intervention.' -- David Pollard, China Information `Compared with many other books on the Chinese economy, this one focuses on an interesting topic. . . . the book nonetheless will be interesting to readers who have an academic interest in the Chinese economy or an interest in investing there.' -- Cao Yong, The China Journal `This book is a useful contribution for those involved or interested in business relations with China, for it highlights some important features of China's economic environment. . . The two authors provide a systematic and in-depth analysis of preferential policies, by examining the different phases of Chinese reforms.' -- Stefania Paladini, World Affairs `It is well endowed with numerous informative charts and tables and as such offers substantial back-up to the case it makes in its analysis. It is a "technical" read for China-watching economists, as well as post-graduates. . .' -- Malcolm Warner, Asia Pacific Business Review `This book is the most analytical and comprehensive I have ever read. It provides a clear and correct picture about the evolution of China's preferential policies in the past 18 years and these policies have been fast changing and often implemented with discretion. The authors appreciate the rapid development China has achieved, and frankly criticise many drawbacks including state intervention and preferential policies in doing business. In my opinion, this book would be very helpful to foreign investors who are planning to make direct investment in China and scholars who are interested in the study of the contemporary Chinese economy.' -- Tzung-shian Yu, Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research, Taiwan

With a population of 1.2 billion and nearly two decades of spectacular growth, China promises to become one of the world's largest economic powers and consumer markets in the next century. A salient feature of the contemporary Chinese economy is the significance of state intervention toward business in the form of `preferential policies'. Thanks to these policies, a firm's location, ownership type and area of business largely determine whether it should receive privileges of disadvantages in the regulated business environment. The fast changing preferential policies have had great influence on a wide range of economic activities, including foreign direct investment. The extent, complexity and variety of these policies are bewildering to both investors and academics who study the Chinese economy. State Intervention and Business in China is a systematic study of China's preferential economic policies. Dr Lu and Dr Tang present these policies in three categories, namely, the investor-oriented, the region-oriented, and the industry-oriented policies. The authors give a clear account of policies including: preferential tax rates, state bank loans, trade protection and subsidies, and licensing schemes. The book provides the in-depth political economy analyses that reveal the sources and functions of these policies. By offering empirical observations on the impact of state intervention on regional development and economic structures, this book sheds new light on the prospects for China's economic policy making. State Intervention and Business in China will be indispensably for scholars and specialists who are interested in contemporary Chinese economy and society. It is also a valuable guide for doing business in China.