Existing theories on social entrepreneurship cannot sufficiently explain the effect on policy change,especially in the context of transitional polities,such as China.Although public policy scholars have studied social entrepreneurship as either process or ability,it is still methodologically challenging to explain its actual impact on policy change.In this article,the author suggests to examine social entrepreneurship via an angle of "strategic choice".In transitional countries,where existing institutional frameworks are imperfect and unstable,social entrepreneurs may have more opportunities and space to innovate new strategies to challenge lacunae in existing institutions when seeking social goals.