Book excerpt: This informative and up-to-date text takes a multidisciplinary approach in examining contemporary China. It provides students with a comprehensive analysis of a number of the social, political and economic problems that China faces as it enters the twenty-first century. The chapters cover key issues including: critical developments in Chinese politics uneven economic development privatization in China environmental problems demography and food production ethnic minorities cross-strait relations socio-cultural issues. Critical Issues in Contemporary China reflects the many recent reforms in China and will equip the undergraduate with the analytical skills they need to study the critical issues surrounding China from contending perspectives.