Book series explores challenges of today's microfinance

Originally created to alleviate poverty, microfinance in China is flourishing as the country undergoes reforms aimed at providing financial services that have long been lacking in rural areas.

Microfinance got a boost here when commercial companies were allowed to make such loans in 2005, but professionals and experts are worried that the concept may be going astray - fearing that people in need may not really be able to get the loans for their self-development.

A series of five books titled Microfinance in China has been produced by the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation, with experts and scholars who have been investigating the issues systematically.