This book summarizes the major technological policies implemented in China since 1949 and examines them in their social and historical context. It looks at technological change in China as part of a broader process of economic, political, cultural, and organizational change.

This study is the first to summarize the major technological policies implemented in China since 1949 and to place them in their social and historical context. Dr. Volti looks at technological change in China as part of a broader process of economic, political, cultural, and organizational change, focusing primarily on four key areas—agriculture, energy, ground transportation, and medicine and public health. He emphasizes how technological change has been shaped by political and ideological structures, notes how China’s unique cultural heritage has affected adoption of technologies developed outside China, and assesses China’s success in developing technologies appropriate to its specific needs as an economically and politically developing nation. He draws on interviews with technicians engaged in the transfer of technology to China as well as extensive primary source materials.