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

Economic growth and its relevant subjects have been given the first priority in the research agenda since China initiated economic reforms in 1978, while the topics of social protection and gender equality have been largely left at the periphery for a long period.
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, this book emphasizes the importance of cooperative organizations to poverty reduction, and puts forward that gender equality is closely related with sustainable development. In addition, it addresses the issues of food security and elimination of social exclusion - the key to bridging economic divide. It also studies social protection, including basic health protection system, nutrition and healthcare for children, old age security for landless farmers and rural migrant workers. By providing first-hand accounts of different vulnerable groups, such as the poor, women, migrant workers, ethnic minorities and small farmers, this book offers valuable insights into studies of contemporary Chinese society and economy.