This book investigates the changing opportunities in higher education for different social groups during China's transition from the socialist regime to a market economy. The first part of the book provides a historical and comparative analysis of the development of the idea of meritocracy, since its early origins in China, and in more recent western thought. The second part then explores higher education reforms in China, the part played by supposedly meritocratic forms of selection, and the implications of these for social mobility. Based on original empirical data, Ye Liu sheds light on the socio-economic, gender and geographical inequalities behind the meritocratic facade of the Gaokao ( ). Liu argues that the Chinese philosophical belief in education-based meritocracy had a modern makeover in the Gaokao, and that this ideology induces working-class and rural students to believe in upward social mobility through higher education. When the Gaokao broke the promise of status improvement for rural students, they turned to the Chinese Communist Party and sought political connections by actively applying for its membership. This book reveals a bleak picture of visible and invisible inequality in terms of access to and participation in higher education in contemporary China. Written in an accessible style, it offers a valuable resource for researchers and non-specialist readers alike.

Polymers are one of the most versatile and important materials used for capsule preparation despite various others available. Suitably formulated capsules can securely protect ingredients, deliver them to targeted sites, and release them expeditiously, improving functions and minimizing adverse effects. New polymers are constantly being explored to develop more efficient capsules as they are routinely used in pharmaceuticals, consumer healthcare products, nutrients, and food. This book focuses on the current state of the art of polymer-based capsules and delivery systems. It describes the formulation processes of capsules developed from redox-responsive polymers and polymer-functionalized carbon nanotubes, in addition to shedding light on coacervation of polymers for encapsulation. It reviews different active ingredients that can be used with polymer capsules in various products, encapsulation of essential oils using such capsules, and development of polymer capsules of cells and bacteriophages.

This book investigates the changing opportunities in higher education for different social groups during China's transition from the socialist regime to a market economy. The first part of the book provides a historical and comparative analysis of the development of the idea of meritocracy, since its early origins in China, and in more recent western thought. The second part then explores higher education reforms in China, the part played by supposedly meritocratic forms of selection, and the implications of these for social mobility. Based on original empirical data, Ye Liu sheds light on the socio-economic, gender and geographical inequalities behind the meritocratic facade of the Gaokao ( ). Liu argues that the Chinese philosophical belief in education-based meritocracy had a modern makeover in the Gaokao, and that this ideology induces working-class and rural students to believe in upward social mobility through higher education. When the Gaokao broke the promise of status improvement for rural students, they turned to the Chinese Communist Party and sought political connections by actively applying for its membership. This book reveals a bleak picture of visible and invisible inequality in terms of access to and participation in higher education in contemporary China. Written in an accessible style, it offers a valuable resource for researchers and non-specialist readers alike.

Chinese historical drama that depicts the events which took the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to power in the first half of the 20th century. Much of the film follows the personal and political growth of Mao Zedong (Ye Liu), a young student who plays a key role in forming the CCP and will eventually go on to lead it and assume the title, Chairman Mao, by which he is better known. Mao's fate is contrasted with that of Chen Duxiu (Yuanzheng Feng), one of the two main founders of the Chinese Communist Party and an early mentor to Mao. However, Chen's insistence that communist values of sharing and solidarity must be married to democratic elections and the free exchange of ideas ultimately see him barred from the party by Mao and a helpless passenger as the country begins its move towards dictatorship...

Sumptuously-filmed Chinese gangster drama set in 1930s Shanghai. Two brothers, Gang (Liu Ye) and Hu (Tony Yang), and their best friend Feng (Daniel Wu) - self-proclaimed 'blood brothers' - leave the village where they grew up to pursue their dream of making it big in the city's underworld. Their close bond is severely tested as they rise up through the ranks and greed, power and ambition take their toll. Qi Shu co-stars as sultry cabaret singer and gangster's moll Lulu.