The last twenty years have seen dramatic changes in China as the country has moved from a centrally controlled communist state to a socialist market economy. A major contribution to this process has been the development, design and construction of projects for foreign investment joint venture companies to provide the buildings and infrastructure needed for modernisation of the economy.

The foreign investor will often require overseas designers, specialist contractors and suppliers to work in conjunction with local organisations on these projects. To operate effectively with the local industry, foreign organisations will have to develop an understanding of the background to the construction industry in China and familiarise themselves with the local construction process.

This book aims to help foreign contributors to China's continuing economic development to gain a basic knowledge of these matters by presenting a broad picture of building in China and the system within which they will operate. More specifically, it looks at how a foreign party to a joint venture in China should go about the business of commissioning, designing and constructing their buildings.