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 is a country of contradictions and transitions: a peasant society with some of the world's most futuristic cities, an ancient civilization that is modernizing as rapidly as possible, a walled-off nation that is increasingly at the center of world trade. This Very Short Introduction offers an indispensable starting point for anyone who needs to quickly know the themes and controversies that have shaped modern China. Prize-winning author and scholar Rana Mitter examines the modern history, politics, economy, and thriving cultural scene of contemporary China, and its relations with the wider world. This lively guide 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 diaspora. It covers many prominent figures as well, such as the Communist leaders, the last emperors, and prominent writers and artists throughout China's history.

今天的中国从未离开过新闻：从人权争议和天安门广场的持续遗留问题，到北京奥运会的全球报道，以及中国的 "经济奇迹"。这是一个充满矛盾和过渡的国家：一个拥有世界上最多未来主义城市的农民社会，一个正在以最快速度实现现代化的古老文明，一个日益处于世界贸易中心的围墙国家。这本《极简介绍》为任何需要快速了解塑造现代中国的主题和争议的人提供了一个不可缺少的起点。获奖作家和学者Rana Mitter研究了当代中国的现代历史、政治、经济和繁荣的文化景象，以及它与更广泛世界的关系。这本生动的指南涵盖了一系列社会问题，从缠足的衰落和妇女在社会中的地位，到电视和电影的影响，以及海外华人的作用。它还涵盖了许多杰出人物，如共产党领导人、末代皇帝，以及中国历史上的著名作家和艺术家。