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The features of Chinese middle classes are numerous and evolving rapidly in a context of economic transition, but the main characteristics can be summarized as follows:

- Chinese middle classes are still small in number and proportion.

- It is a “new” middle class, built during the last 20-30 years after the launch of Deng Xiaoping’s era of reform and opening up.

- In this context, members of the Chinese middle classes often seek to show their new class status through their living standards and consumption practices.

- At the same time, Chinese middle class households often share a strong feeling of instability, explaining their high rate of saving.

- Chinese middle classes maintain a relatively high degree of connection with the Communist Party and state institutions.

- Strong geographical as well as generation gaps exist within the middle class populations.

- The central government considers that an accelerated urbanization process will support the development of the middle class and ultimately help rebalance the current economic model towards domestic consumption.