Leader Development Across Three Chinese Societies

This chapter outlines and analyses the current state of leader development across three rapidly reforming Chinese societies - People’s Republic of China (China), Taiwan and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Our descriptive and analytic frame is founded on the assumption that Leader Development Programs (LDPs) do not operate in isolation but within a broader international, societal and local context. This context has many faces, including cultural, economic, political, religious, and social aspects. In terms of education, these infl uences help shape to a greater or lesser degree the purpose, extent and content of education policy. Although not necessarily in a linear or formal fashion, education reform policy infl uences interest and action in leader development. Given the infl uence of context, any understanding of leader development must begin with at least a basic understanding of different levels of education trends as well as what is involved in policy and programs.