Book excerpt: The New Economy has hit China, driven by the Internet and e-commerce. China has made a good start in both areas. Since its debut, subscribers to the Internet grew exponentially from a mere 1,600 in 1994 to 16.9 million in mid-2000. E-commerce transactions registered a total revenue of 200 million yuan in 1999, or twice as much as in 1998. B2C e-commerce is expected to grow by 300% in 2000. However, the rapid growth of the sectors is constrained by factors such as a small base of registered users, high costs of using the Internet, government control of information access, and lack of an effective distribution network and financial linkage. Internet businesses are also losing money due to exorbitant charges for telephone lines, an uncertain regulatory environment, and direct competition from the telecommunications operators dominating the market. Nonetheless, the high growth potential of the two sectors is still well recognized by foreign multinationals. Despite China's manifest prohibition of foreign involvement, foreign companies have managed to enter the Chinese market by forming strategic alliances with domestic concerns. It appears that China prefers a smooth and orderly process of market opening based on a more effective regulatory regime such as licensing arrangements.This book is intended for readers interested in China's Internet and e-commerce sectors. Businessmen, corporate planners, business associates, researchers, engineers, technologists, academics and students interested in these industries will find the book useful. Focusing on China's nascent Internet and e-commerce industries, this book presents the historical development, current market status and future growth, as well as discusses the problems and issues facing the two sectors.