This book provides a comprehensive analysis of the patterns and trends of socio-economic development and social division in contemporary Chinese society. It discusses the determinants, manifestations and consequences of social inequality in the last 40 years with particular regard to social mobility, educational attainment, social capital, health, labor market position, including employment (opportunity), career advancement and earnings, housing, wealth and assets, urbanization, social integration of migrant peasant workers into urban life, social protest and civic engagement, subjective well-being and subjective social status.