This course aims to examine the key issues of contemporary Chinese politics. Its ultimate concern is the issue of legitimacy: how does the Chinese Communist Party justify its domination and seek to win the trust and support of the people? The lectures address different aspects of the subject matter by focusing on three key concepts: political order, state capacity and institutions. The discussion evaluates the foundation of political order in China and examine how this institutional structure affects the process and outcomes of politics. The dynamics of interaction among major stakeholders (the Party, national government, local administrations, bureaucracy, civil society etc.) and the impact of these negotiation and exchange on the political process are our major concerns. Upon completion of this course, students are expected to understand the logic and implications of the political development and the major challenges to the political order in contemporary China today.