The course provides students with an in-depth understanding of China’s regional development and urban issues. Economic reform since 1979 has shifted China from a planned economy to one driven by market forces. Consequently, economic development has not only re-established cities’ function as economic central places but also generates disparities between urban and rural, and different regions. These changes have generated heat discussions on the country’s urbanization and regional development strategy. This includes debates on city size, small-town strategy and the abolition of special economic zones. This course introduces students to these discussions and also recent literature on the topic.