The third edition of this concise core textbook offers students a comprehensive introduction to the politics, economy, culture and society of modern China, while grounding all of these areas in the context of China’s recent history in the 19th and 20th centuries. Fully up to date, this accessible text examines the key developments that are taking place in China and that are shaping its place in the world today, from relations with Trump’s United States and post-Brexit Britain, to the use of the internet to crack down on dissent and the establishment of ‘Xi Jinping thought’ at the 19th Party Congress. Authored by a highly-regarded expert on the topic, this is the essential guide to a country that is no longer just emerging but one which has, in many respects, already emerged as one of the leading powers of the 21st century.

The book is an ideal introductory text for undergraduate and postgraduate courses on China studies and contemporary China, regardless of whether students approach the topic from a political, historical, sociological, cultural or geographical viewpoint. It can also be used on modules focussing more specifically on Chinese politics, Chinese history or Chinese society.

New to this Edition: - Fully revised and updated throughout, including discussions of Chinese-US relations in the era of Trump, the 2017 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, and descriptions of the newest high-ranking figures in Chinese politics - New boxed features highlighting important issues and organisations, including the status of women in China, the telecoms company Huawei, and the on-going conflict over the South and East China Sea - References to the most recent research in the field, along with new recommendations for further reading for each chapter