Community autonomy

IF DESIRABLE URBANIZATION MAKES A DIFFERENCE to the success of China's modernization, whether community autonomy can be smoothly realized will have a bearing on the role urbanization plays in promoting social harmony and political stability.

That explains why "social management" has become a catchphrase in speeches by top leaders, and the State Council released a document in July requiring local governments to do a better job of social management.

Yet where to make a breakthrough remains a key question.