SOAS Research Online

Abstract

Leisure and consumption have become key features of post-Mao China being associated with economic reform, political change and stability, the legitimacy of the Communist Party and notions of modernity and postmodernity in China. This chapter offers an overview of the key characteristics of leisure and consumption in contemporary China with important historical contextualization. It identifies and introduces some of the most common analyses and understandings of consumption in China showing how they are often linked together. The chapter suggests that we need to treat the notion of consumption in China with caution to avoid oversimplification and neglect of the increasing complexity and diversification of Chinese leisure and consumption practices.