This book systematically reviews the development of social policy since the establishment of the People's Republic of China. As such, it begins by investigating the establishment of the Insurance System in the early period, then moves on to the planned economy period, the Cultural Revolution period, and the Reform and Opening Up period, characterized by efforts to adapt to a market economy. For each period, the book examines the effect of the economic system, the mode of production and forms of employment for social policy design, so as to clarify the developing context of Chinese social policy, and to help readers grasp the legal aspects of social policy development and the main problems China faces in its present economic developmental stage.

Autorentext
Zhou Hong, member of the Academic Divisions of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), serves as Deputy Chair of the Academic Division for International Studies of CASS. She is the Chairwoman of the China Association for European Studies, deputy chair to the China Association for Social Security Studies, and to the China Association for International Relations. In 2012 she became an elected Member of the 12th People's Congress. Her major publications include: On Foreign Aid (2015), Assessing 10 Years of China-EU Strategic Partnership (ed., 2013), China's Foreign Aid60 Years in Retrospect (ed., 2012), Social Security Systems Worldwide (ed., 2010-2011), Chinese Views of the World (eds., 2009), China-Europe Relations (eds., 2009), EU as a Power (ed., 2008), EU Governance Model (eds., 2008), Donors in China (2007), Whither the Welfare State (2006), and The Process of European Civilization (co-authored, 2004) etc. She has been editing the Annual European Development Report 1996-2013.

Inhalt
Introduction.- Take Realizing Social Insurance as a Guiding Aim: 1921-1949.- Employment and Social Security under the Planned Economy: 1949-1978.- From Enterprise Insurance to Social Insurance.- Socialist Market Economy and Preliminary Establishment of the Social Security System: Development in 1990s.- Towards Social Equity Reform in 21st Century.- Great Social Transformation.- References.- Index.