Is Cuba actually following the “China model” of economic reform and development? While Cuba indeed has been influenced by China’s rapid economic growth, Fernando Menéndez argues that Cuba’s moves are a retreat by the state from certain economic activities, it is still far from the Chinese model.

Following the official announcement of Mr. Li Chuncheng’s expulsion from the Communist Party, Minxin Pei applauds Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption drive and urges China’s new leader to go further by taking on China’s culture of corruption.

Among the most significant developments driving China’s economic growth and rising living standards is the shift from a rural, agricultural society to a modern, urban one. With almost 700 million Chinese – more than half of the population – already living in cities, the centrality of urbanization to China’s future is indisputable. But exactly how the trend will develop remains far from certain.

While Xi Jinping’s reform agenda has consisted of two seemingly separate initiatives, Minxin Pei points out that far-reaching economic reforms and an anti-corruption drive are intrinsically linked because market-oriented reforms are necessary in order to reduce the opportunities for abuse of power, and vice versa.

Analysts expecting a large crash of the Chinese economy will be disappointed, writes Yu Yongding, as China has, in fact, faced far worse financial difficulties. While the country’s current problems aren’t as severe as those it faced in the late 1990’s or early 2000’s, problems do persist and the margin for error is rapidly reaching its economic limits.

There are of course still many problems in China such as corruption, polarization and privileged classes. We need the rule of law to constantly develop and improve, and we need to rebuild our morals and values, writes Chen Qun.

Premier Li Keqiang has revealed more information about his ‘Likonomics’ plan, and the future prospects for China's economic reform, writes Li Zheng.

Social status affects individual behavior and well-being. The traditional norms and the recent alarming inequality in China have made status seeking and relative deprivation more and more intense for Chinese population. Dr. Xi Chen analyzes its main impact on a wide range of economic behaviors and well-being indicators and discusses key implications for public policies in China.

Examining the government work report from the National People’s Congress, Zhang Monan outlines the major issues facing China’s leadership as it continues economic reforms.

The reform of State-Owned Enterprises has become a major focus for the Chinese government. Ding Yifan explores what the reform may mean, and shows why the government is addressing the issue now.