What are the driving forces - both endogenous and exogenous - for, and how have they influenced, China's economic transformations during the past decades? This revised and updated second edition sets out to analyze and compare the operational mechanisms of the Chinese economy between the pre- and post-reform periods and through both national and provincial dimensions. A multiregional comparison of the Chinese economy is conducted in terms of natural and human resources, institutional evolution, and economic and social performances. The first edition of this book was selected as the 'Best Book on Chinese Economy' by Questia librarians. This enlarged edition includes three new chapters, as well as new data and revisions.