This text compares three cities - Shanghai, Tianjin and Quangzhou - in the context of the change sweeping China's economy, history, and reform programs from the early-1980s to the mid-1990s. The authors look at the interplay among geography, size and industrial structure that determines the industrial vigour of cities. Their conclusion is that each of these factors must be made to work for the city through effective policymaking. The text is aimed at policy makers, economists and urban development scholars.