Introduction

Abstract

China is undergoing massive economic and social change. Globally, over recent decades, it has had one of the fastest-growing major economies. It accounted for 1% of the world economy in 1970 and became the third largest economy, at 6%, in 2007 (United States Department of Agriculture, 2010). Annual rates of GDP growth in China during much of the past decade have been above 8% (World Bank, 2009). This major expansion has presented new challenges for the nation. The major growth in the Chinese economy has been accompanied by rapid industrialization and urbanization, causing a crisis in human resources.