• An indispensable starting point for anyone who needs to quickly know the themes and controversies that have shaped modern China
• Examines the modern history, politics, economy, and thriving cultural scene of contemporary China, and its relations with the wider world
• Covers a range of social issues from the decline of footbinding and the position of women in society, to the influence of television and film, and the role of the overseas Chinese disapora
• Includes accounts of many prominent figures, such as the Communist leaders, the last emperors, and writers and artists

China today is never out of the news: from human rights controversies and the continued legacy of Tiananmen Square, to global coverage of the Beijing Olympics, and the Chinese 'economic miracle'. It seems a country of contradictions: a peasant society with some of the world's most futuristic cities, heir to an ancient civilization that is still trying to find a modern identity. This Very Short Introduction offers the reader with no previous knowledge of China a variety of ways to understand the world's most populous nation, giving a short, integrated picture of modern Chinese society, culture, economy, politics and art.