Central-local budgetary arrangements have undergone numerous changes since the 1960s as the Chinese government in its quest for modernization has sought to balance the needs of central control and local autonomy. During the reform period, the falling tax share of GNP and a commitment to greater...

Analyzing household survey data from three microfinance program sites, we provide an early systematic assessment of Chinese microfinance programs, which have grown rapidly since 1994, are based on the Grameen model, and include an unprecedented large-scale government initiative. We examine the...