Since the early 1980s, China has experienced a significant rise in crime along with its rapid economic growth. The following characteristics can be identified: (1) sharp increase in serious crime; (2) large proportion of juvenile and youthful offenders; (3) emergence of criminal gangs; (4) rise in economic crimes; (5) drug trafficking; and (6) reemergence of old social evils. The author discusses socioeconomic changes and their impact on the character of crime in China: strain and deprivation; urbanization and diminished social control; and clashes between traditional and Western cultures. While the government emphasizes the importance of both punishment and prevention, in practice it appears to rely more on crackdowns and punishment in restoring the public order. There are attempts at crime prevention through: neighborhood committees; security committees; dissemination of legal knowledge; and reform of offenders. Table, note, references