This book sets out to unravel and explain the puzzle of the global rise of China: how, in just forty years, China has been quickly transformed from a poor, backward third-world country to one of the world's core economic powerhouses. Exactly how did this Chinese developmental miracle happen? Focusing on the key historical turning point in China's post-socialist development, the book examines the complex processes through which China interacted with the global neoliberal project of the late twentieth century.

Socialist foundation and the critical transition to state neoliberalism --State neoliberalism : the political economy of China's rise -- The global economic crisis and the deepening of state neoliberalism -- The challenges of catching up : technological upgrading and moving up the value chain -- The challenges of staying in power -- The challenges of sustainability : environmental degradation and resource depletion -- The challenges of global rivalry : resource competition and territorial disputes.