This book is a collection of evidence-based studies conducted mainly in poor areas of rural China during the recent two decades. Based on individual interviews and sample data analyses, it examines the issues of poverty reduction, gender equality, social protection, elimination of social exclusion, and food security, etc.

Zhu Ling is a research fellow in the Institute of Economics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS). She has been engaged in the studies of poverty reduction, social protection and rural development since 1990s.

List of Figures. List of Tables. Preface. Acknowledgements. I Transformation of Land Tenure System Chapter 1 Agricultural Reforms during the 1980s Chapter 2 Land Tenure System in Village Communities Chapter 3 Gender Inequality in Land Tenure System II Food Security and the Future of Small Farmers Chapter 4 Development in Tibetan Agriculture Chapter 5 Impacts of Food and Energy Price Hikes Chapter 6 Food Security and Agricultural Changes in the Course of Urbanization III Nutrition and Health Chapter 7 Changes in Rural Basic Health System Chapter 8 Effects of Rural Medical Financial Assistance in China Chapter 9 Nutrition and Healthcare for Children from Rural Tibetan Households IV Poverty Reduction and Social protection Chapter 10 Labor Intensive Public Works in Poor Areas Chapter 11 Old Age Security for the Landless Farmers Chapter 12 Pension Program for the Rural Migrant Workers Chapter 13 Income Distribution Policy Options amid the Global Financial Crisis Chapter 14 Addressing Extreme Poverty and Marginality Index