This title was first published in 2003. The greatest challenge facing China today is to curb the growing economic divide between urban and rural people. Achieving this requires that the rural economy in general, and rural industries in particular, transform rapid growth into sustained development. However, policy makers are struggling to modernise rural industries, such as the cattle and beef industry, especially in a way that contributes to rural incomes. This book provides a systematic, detailed and up-to-date analysis of how institutional and policy reforms impact on rural and industry development in China. Academics, policy-makers and others will find that this case study offers new insights into China's rural economy, institutional change and transition process. It will also be of interest to those concerned with ways to develop livestock industries in a way that benefits rural communities.

'Phenomenal growth in meat consumption propelled by dietary diversification is a critical structural change in developing countries over the past 20 years, especially in China. Few works explore the implications for rural development objectives. This book succeeds admirably for China's beef sector, integrating rich insights from industrial organization theory, models of institutional change, and analysis of policy reforms affecting human well-being. It will be of wide interest to analysts and practitioners of economic development, including those inside and outside the livestock sector that wish to understand the critical institutional issues involved in the rapid growth of a new rural industry.' Christopher L. Delgado, International Food Policy Research Institute, USA. 'There is much to think about in this book, and the use of a single industry...to address broader issues helps clarify the complexity of China's socialist economy as it currently operates...one of the strengths of this volume is its structure and internal organization.' China Review International