This book examines the transformation of the Chinese developmental state into a transnational developmental state.

Focusing on Overseas Special Economic Zones (OSEZs), a program that was designed to assist mostly small- and medium-sized enterprises to “go global”, the book assesses how OSEZs became part of the Chinese leadership’s continued endeavour to foster growth and industrial transformation, feeding naturally into the Belt and Road Initiative. It goes on to investigate how globalization and integration into the world economy, as well as the narrowing of the developmental gap between China and advanced economies, have forced the developmental state to adapt its strategy and industrial policies.

Revealing how Overseas Special Economic Zones act as part of the Chinese developmental state’s endeavor to steer economic activity, this book will be a valuable resource to students and scholars of Chinese politics and economics.