As one of China's strategic coastal provinces, Fujian has traditionally played a vital role in the economic development and diplomacy of the country. Overseas Chinese, the Taiwan factor and the designation of Fujian as the first open area, along with Guangdong, have vastly accelerated development and modernization since 1978.This book has adopted the twin sub-themes of transition and transformation in describing, documenting and analyzing the breath-taking changes in the province over the past two decades. It is a major contribution to the subject of economic change and social transformation in China.