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'The line up for next year's change of leadership does not give cause for optimism' says James Miles, the Economist's China correspondent.

With a heavily state owned banking system, waning numbers of workers in a labour intensive industrial economy and lack of development in new business, China's current boom may be set to bust.

In the following sections, James Miles examines the restrictive nature of government in China, and what it will mean for the country and the rest of the world.

Urbanisation: Where do you live?

Rising power, anxious state

China's new leaders: The princelings are coming

Growth prospects: Beware the middle-income trap

Deng & Co

Government's role in industry: The long arm of the state

Demography: Getting on

Ideological battles: Universalists v exceptionalists