The Chinese coal industry: an economic history

The coal industry has been and continues to be of critical importance for China's economic modernization.

With its huge labour force, country-wide infrastructure, and vital strategic importance for the economy, the industry presents special problems for reformers, and epitomises the problems of reform in the state industrial sector as a whole.

This book examines the changes in the structure and operation of the Chinese coal industry from the mid-19th century to the present, concentrating on the years of reform.

Although the focus is on the economics of the industry, the book also provides many insights into China's socio-political development.