Yu gives Western readers a full view of China's science and technology policy, plus a historical perspective on the development of her science, technology, and industrial enterprises. A realistic, objective review that will help overcome tendencies to under- or overestimate China's technological and industrial strength and potential for the future, his book focuses on the transition of her scientific, technological, and industrial systems from a planned to a market economy. It identifies the latest science-technology policy readjustment in China and gives Westerners a way to assess the successes and failures of technological-industrial development attributable to policy causes.

Yu describes the evolution of China's scientific and technological systems before and after her economic reforms. He covers changes in science-technology policy in their socioeconomic context, and highlights all major steps in her economic development that have spurred China's scientific-technological progress. Mr. Yu views these as a driving force for economic development, while the success of science-technology policy is determined by its effectiveness in implementing various economic activities. His book also provides in-depth coverage of changes in major industrial sectors, including agriculture, infrastructure, mainstay, high-tech, and township industries and non-governmental science-technology enterprises. The result is a unique opportunity to gain an authoritative, reliable understanding of China's scientific and technological activities, her industrial development, and the interaction between them.