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A U.S. geographer and noted authority on China's urbanization seeks to explain the apparent paradox between reported recent shortages of migrant labor in cities in eastern China's export-oriented manufacturing belt and the abundant supply of labor in China's rural areas. He examines important socioeconomic contexts often overlooked in the debate over whether China has reached the Lewis turning point (when dual rural-urban labor markets begin to merge and a labor surplus economy is transformed into a full-employment economy), which make possible the existence of such shortages over the short term and in local areas. These include the special characteristics of China's export industrialization (e.g., preference for workers in the age category 16-30); its immense migrant labor force, constrained under the hukou system; the short-term impacts of China's economic stimulus program launched in early 2009 in the wake of the global economic crisis; and cycles in the global economy that support or impede export production. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: O180, 0530, P200, R120. 4 figures, 1 table, 90 references. Key words: China, hukou, Lewis turning point, rural migrant labor, export industrialization, Pearl River Delta, global financial crisis, Asian tiger economies, wage pressure. DOI: 10.2747/1539-7216.51.4.513

Two noted academic specialists on labor economics and population statistics of China examine the impacts of the global economic crisis of 2008-2009 on the job security of urban workers, and the ensuing repercussions for the Chinese society and economy. More specifically, they probe and determine the magnitude of urban unemployment in China in 2008 and 2009 as it appears to be reported in different segments of the country's immense labor market. A particular focus of the paper is on differences in unemployment among two groups of workers (those with urban hukou vis-a-vis rural migrant workers) with significantly different sets of rights and privileges, as well as levels of job security. The authors also provide an estimate of the urban unemployment rate in 2009 that differs from the official rate. They argue that measures toward further integration of rural and urban labor markets and reducing natural unemployment are ultimately more beneficial than short-term interventions to adjust cyclical joblessness stemming from the global economic crisis and recession. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: E240, G010, J610, J690. 3 figures, 2 tables, 80 references. Key words: China, hukou, urban labor, labor market, migrant workers, labor statistics, unemployment, student employment. DOI: 10.2747/1539-7216.50.5.513

A noted American authority on urbanization in China presents a retrospective analysis of China's hukou (household registration) system on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of its promulgation, reviewing the history of that system from a broad socio-political perspective. More specifically, the paper focuses on revealing trends in the development of the system over time and identifying many of its important ramifications for modern Chinese society, as well as on the impact of hukou on the country's industrialization, urbanization, and social and spatial stratification. The author argues that the hukou system now presents a major obstacle to China's quest to become a modem, first-world nation and global leader. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: O180, 0530, P200, R120. 2 figures, 3 tables, 111 references. Key words: China, hukou, floating population, urbanization, industrialization, Shenzhen, labor migration, migrant workers, social stratification, command economy, nongzhuanfei.

Two U.S.-based geographers use the most recent data to explain the complexity of China's provincial de jure and de facto population statistics and their relationship to computed inequality indices of per capita GDP. After reviewing the literature, the paper focuses on trends in regional inequality in China during the 1990s, and contends that the consensus view about the increase of inequality during the late 1990s is based on erroneous interpretation and faulty application of de jure provincial population series, which has resulted in significant overstatement of interprovincial inequality in 2000. The analysis presented in this paper shows that, alter a significant rise in the first half of the 1990s, China's regional economic disparities began to level off in the second half of the 1990s and have persisted at about the same level since then. The authors proffer explanations for the stability in regional inequality since 1995, especially stressing the role of long-distance migration. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: 131, 018, R12.6 figures, 10 tables, 105 references. Key words: China, regional inequality, interprovincial inequality, per capita GDP, population statistics, de-facto population, de jure population, migration, migrant labor, coefficient of variation.

Two U.S.-based economic geographers analyze recent changes in retailing activity in Beijing, focusing on changes in store ownership. More specifically, they investigate declines in state ownership in the retail sector since the early 1980s in conjunction with the rapid growth of the domestic private sector and foreign ownership. The paper outlines a new geography of successful (and not-so-successful) retailers that has emerged due to rationalization of the industry, marketization, globalization, as well as government policies at a variety of levels. Changes in store ownership provide insights into the complexity of China's transition, the evolving relations between state and capital, and the role of the local state in the country's economic reforms. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: D23, L20, L81, O18. 2 figures, 3 tables, 1 appendix, 114 references. Key words: China, Beijing, retailing, ownership structure, economic reform, transition, local government, chain stores, supermarkets, department stores, franchise outlets, cooperatives, FDI, WTO, Beijing Olympics.

A noted American authority on urbanization and the household registration system in China reviews and clarifies factors leading to misunderstanding and misconceptions regarding the number of inhabitants of China's major cities. Principal sources of confusion linked to reliance on official statistical sources are the multi-layered meanings of the term 'city' and, consequently, simultaneous publication and use of a multitude of official population statistics for the country's 'cities.' Other complicating factors analyzed by the author include the effects of the Chinese hukou (household registration) system and the rapid rate of urban growth and change over the last three decades. Systematic population and per capita GDP data for the years 2000 and 2005, all based on the multiple boundaries and systems for five major cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen), are collected to illustrate both the countrywide situation and specific cases. Also included is a critique of several studies and popular accounts of Chinese cities to highlight misstatements and areas of misunderstanding based on inappropriate use of statistical data. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: O18, O53, P20, R12. 2 figures, 6 tables, 130 references. Key words: China, cities, mega-cities, urban population statistics, hukou system, household registration, per capita GDP, Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen.