Among the most significant developments driving China’s economic growth and rising living standards is the shift from a rural, agricultural society to a modern, urban one. With almost 700 million Chinese – more than half of the population – already living in cities, the centrality of urbanization to China’s future is indisputable. But exactly how the trend will develop remains far from certain.

While Xi Jinping’s reform agenda has consisted of two seemingly separate initiatives, Minxin Pei points out that far-reaching economic reforms and an anti-corruption drive are intrinsically linked because market-oriented reforms are necessary in order to reduce the opportunities for abuse of power, and vice versa.

In order to fully understand the future direction of China’s foreign policy, Zhai Kun analyzes six new concepts put forth by President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, commonly known as the “Xi Jinping Doctrine.”

There are of course still many problems in China such as corruption, polarization and privileged classes. We need the rule of law to constantly develop and improve, and we need to rebuild our morals and values, writes Chen Qun.

Premier Li Keqiang has revealed more information about his ‘Likonomics’ plan, and the future prospects for China's economic reform, writes Li Zheng.

Social status affects individual behavior and well-being. The traditional norms and the recent alarming inequality in China have made status seeking and relative deprivation more and more intense for Chinese population. Dr. Xi Chen analyzes its main impact on a wide range of economic behaviors and well-being indicators and discusses key implications for public policies in China.

Examining the government work report from the National People’s Congress, Zhang Monan outlines the major issues facing China’s leadership as it continues economic reforms.

The reform of State-Owned Enterprises has become a major focus for the Chinese government. Ding Yifan explores what the reform may mean, and shows why the government is addressing the issue now.

China’s rapid growth has brought the infamy of being the world’s number one consumer of energy resources and number one discharger of air pollutants. Zhao Qiguang expresses the hope that the economy will continue to grow in a speedy but steady manner.

China should foster a stable system that encourages citizens to use their right to expose corruption, expand freedom of speech, and allow the media to expose officials’ corrupt behavior, writes Tong Zhiwei.