He received a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto. His main research focuses on Chinese cities, internal migration and local finance. In recent years, he has served as consultant to the Asian Development Bank, International Labor Office and United Nations Development Program. Abstract: As urbanization accelerates and cities expand their role in the Chinese economy, expensive urban infrastructural facilities and financing have become major policy issues. Drawing on fieldwork in five cities in 1994 as well as national statistics, this Article analyzes the provision of urban infrastructure services and financing. As marketization proceeds, an overhaul of the urban public finance system, along with a redefinition of the role of local government in China, is urgently required.