Traditional analyses of political liberalization in China focus on elections or other facets of democratization. But they cannot account for the fact that although China remains authoritarian, it is nevertheless responsive to the increasingly diverse demands of Chinese society. I argue that the rules of the policy-making process are still captured by the fragmented authoritarianism framework, but that the process has become increasingly pluralized: barriers to entry have been lowered, at least for certain actors (hitherto peripheral officials, non-governmental organizations and the media) identified here as “policy entrepreneurs.” With policy change as the variable of interest, I compare three cases of hydropower policy outcomes. I argue that policy entrepreneurs' ability to frame the issue effectively explains variation in hydropower policy outcomes. I then extend these findings to an unlikely policy area, international trade, specifically, the 2001–06 Sino-EU trade talks over child-resistant lighter safety regulations.

To discuss the issues raised by the title of this essay requires us to think of four types of change. These are:

1. 1. The changing realities of the economy.

2. 2. The possibilities for assessing and analysing these realities.

3. 3. The background, training and chosen methodologies of those working in this field.

4. 4. The role of The China Quarterly in selecting and encouraging particular types of work.

It is an honour and pleasure to join in this commemorative symposium of the 50th anniversary of The China Quarterly, still the field's flagship journal. The journal is entering its “middle age” in fine form. Like most who turn 50, The China Quarterly has had its ups and downs, its signature moments and trying times, but has sustained itself with a sense of purpose and strong identity, supported by its extended family (contributors, readers, staff and editorial board). The China Quarterly has been a living chronicle and window for the world to view one of the most important countries on earth. The China Quarterly has much to be proud of over the past half century, but journal's best days hopefully still lie ahead.

When the editor asked me along with other ex-editors to offer some thoughts on the occasion of The China Quarterly's 50th anniversary, I was at a loss. At the celebration which David Shambaugh held for the 35th anniversary in 1995, I wrote fairly extensively about the founding and early development of the journal (No.143, pp. 692–96) and did not have much to add. So I made the suggestion that I should reprise a special feature of the first China Quarterly. For that founding issue, I solicited a number of senior Sinologues to give their appraisal of the PRC on the occasion of its tenth anniversary. Could I, now senior, be given a similar opportunity to look back at the founding of the PRC on the occasion of its 60th anniversary? This article is the consequence of the editor's kind agreement.

It is both a privilege and an honour to be editor of The China Quarterly for the publication of its 200th issue. The autumn of 2009 is a time of multiple anniversaries. The People's Republic of China has completed its first 60-year great cycle; and The China Quarterly its first half-century. We have invited all of our previous editors to reflect on their life and times at The China Quarterly, and on the study of contemporary China more generally.