Includes bibliographical references and index.

Prologue: a new system on the rise -- Introduction -- Pillar number one: emancipation of the mind -- Pillar number two: balancing top-down and bottom-up -- Pillar number three: framing the forest and letting the trees grow -- Pillar number four: crossing the river by feeling the stones -- Pillar number five: artistic and intellectual ferment -- Pillar number six: joining the world -- Pillar number seven: freedom and fairness -- Pillar number eight: From Olympic gold medals to Nobel prizes -- Matters in dispute.

Analyzes data and information from across all of China's provinces and cities to offer a unique perspective on the transformation that is reshaping the country's economic, social and political systems.