Disparities between social and economic development in Guangdong

China has achieved almost double‐digit annual economic growth since Deng Xiaoping launched market‐oriented economic reforms and open policies in 1978. Nevertheless, social development in China has lagged behind. This paper is concerned with the disparities between social and economic developmental trends in China, with particular reference to Guangdong Province. Having benefited by the open and reform policies since 1979, Guangdong Province has experienced rapid economic growth, especially in industrialization and urbanization. When compared with the spectacular development in its economy, social advancement in Guangdong has, however, appeared to remain far behind. The vast majority of the people in the province, especially the peasants in rural areas, and those who serve as contracted workers in factories, construction sites, or for the private sector in cities, are not protected by any systematic form of social security. This paper argues that the malpractice of local governments is the major factor leading to these divergent processes of economic and social development.