Book Chapter
Economic Reforms and Welfare Changes in China

The study examines welfare changes in China during the reform period (1978- ) by analysing various welfare indicators, the causes of change, and the shifting models. It provides an empirical case to the general debate over the relationship between positive economic growth and its impact on social and human development. It suggests that while 'growth-mediated' pattern of welfare improvement, as compared to 'support-led' pattern, has certain advantages, its limitations are also obvious. Therefore, during the current large-scale transformation, social supporting systems or mechanisms have to be re-emphasized in order to achieve a balanced development of economic and human welfare.