"This book sets benchmarks in regards to what is required knowledge about the history, structure and complexity of China's local administrative and institutional infrastructure... It will be an indispensible research and reference tool for anyone interested in China's local government, public administration, provision of public services and political reform." - Hans Hendrischke, The China Quarterly, Volume 203, September 2010"This volume is a much-needed publication which provides a comprehensive overview of the spatial organization of political power in China’s administrative hierarchy... This volume contains profound analyses, which are packed with intricate details, yet highly readable through the use of illustrative examples. It should be essentialreading for political scientists, sociologists, geographers and anyone else interested in understanding China’s evolving administrative structures." - Björn Alpermann, Assistant Professor of Contemporary Chinese Studies, Würzburg University; Journal of Chinese Political Science/Association of Chinese Political Studies 2011