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The shift in China's economic strategy following the Third Plenum of the 11th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in 1978 was an attempt to readjust and reform the economic system. First, reform measures were introduced in the agricultural sector. Secondly, the commercial sector was gradually being adjusted to allow the market mechanism to play a role under the "guidance" of state planning. Thirdly, there was more investment in transport and communications. Fourthly, the rate of accumulation by the state was reduced while the rate of consumption by the people was raised through higher incomes and the availability of more consumer goods. Fifthly, there were attempts to readjust the investment pattern between agriculture, heavy industry and light industry. Last, but not least, reform measures were introduced in the management of state enterprises. The article is concerned with this reform.

Drawing data from a single enterprise (the largest and most important textile firm in Sichuan province - Number One Cotton Spinning, Weaving, Dying and Printing Factory), the case study attempts to enhance an understanding of the reform process in China in respect of state enterprise management. Brief description of Sichuan province, Chengdu city where the firm is located, and of the firm's management structure and labour force. (DÜI-Sen)

Large dams have been an important component of infrastructure development in capitalist and communist countries alike. In 1998, changing world attitudes on large dams led to a two year World Commission on Dams and new global standards may soon insist that future projects pay fair compensation so that resettlement becomes voluntary. Now, 10 years after introduction of economic reforms, China is mobilizing its resources to build the world's largest dam. This fulfils a longstanding ambition to impound the Yangtze River in Central China at the Three Gorges and use the hydropower, improved navigation and flood control to develop the economy.
This paper examines the socio-economic impact of Three Gorges Dam on over 1.3 million people to be displaced while China is in transition to a market economy. We consider resettlement in terms of the decision-making structure, property rights and incentives to move, and how the project exacerbates problems created by market reforms, especially rising unemployment and deteriorating public health. We conclude the project is boosting economic expectations while adversely affecting large sections of the population, and this could provoke widespread social unrest and eventual changes in political institutions.