Managing the Middle-Income Transition

Challenges Facing the People’s Republic of China

Edited by Juzhong Zhuang, Asian Development Bank, Philippines, Paul Vandenberg, Thammasat University, Bangkok, Thailand and Yiping Huang, Peking University, the People’s Republic of China

The growth model of the People’s Republic of China has been based on high investments, exports, low-cost advantage, and government interventions. This model has successfully transformed the country from a low-income to an upper middle-income economy. However, the model has generated contradictions that could undermine future growth. Making the transition to high income requires greater reliance on efficiency and productivity improvement, innovation, and market competition. This book examines the challenges faced by the People’s Republic of China in sustaining robust growth, and policy options for making a successful transition to a high-income economy to avoid getting caught in the middle-income trap.