1976-PRESENT

CHANGES IN CHINA AFTER MAO ZEDONG

After the death of Mao Zedong in 1976, his successor, Deng Xiaoping began to make changes in the economic and social systems of China

ECONOMIC POLICY

Deng Xiaoping adopted ideas from the capitalist West in order to improve China’s economy

The 4 Modernizations 1. Industry2. Agriculture 3. Science/Technology4. Defense

the total market values of goods and services produced by workers

ECONOMIC POLICY

the communes were replaced by the “responsibility system”

the peasants worked the land, gave part of what they grew to the government and could sell the rest for profit

Economic Changes of Deng Xiaoping

Government owned major industries, but allowed some privately owned small businesses and private ownership of property

Encouraged Western investment and trade, especially of Western technology

Changes led to a higher standard of living, but also created a gap between richer and poorer classes

SOCIAL POLICY

China’s large population (1.3 billion) created a drain on the country’s resources (ex. food, fuel) and slowed economic growth

One Child Policy: parents are encouraged, through a system of rewards and punishments, to have only one child

rewards include better housing, education; punishment includes fines

has worked better in cities rather than in rural areas

One Child Policy

Population growth has slowed, despite resistance based on: religious ideas (ex. Ancestor

worship – children are needed to carry out the veneration of ancestors)

economic motives (ex. Children = workers)

cultural beliefs (ex. Sons are needed to carry on the family name and are considered an asset rather than a burden)

Deng Xiaoping did not change :

the government’s policy toward dissidents (those who disagree with the government

refused to grant political freedoms Troops and tanks were

used to break up a peaceful protest for democracy in Tiananman Square in 1989

Thousands were killed or jailed

Goddess of Democracy

2:34

5:17

What is the main idea of the cartoon?

Dissidents

have been routinely tortured and jailed

despite protests by the US against the abuse of human rights

The government has also kept tight control over China’s ethnic minorities, some of whom would like to rule themselves ex. Tibet The Great Teacher of Wisdom

What did the 2008 Olympic Games signify for China and the world?

•China’s emergence as a major world power, modern country

•National pride

•Symbolic representation of Chinese culture, history in opening ceremonies

What are some key implications of China’s reemergence onto the world stage?

Increased involvement in international politics

Role in global economy

Major investment in Africa and Asia

Rapid growth, environmental impact

What does “Made in China” mean for the people of China?

Rapid Urbanization & resettlement

Factory of the World Consumerism Environmental Pollution Urbanization and Rural decay Migration Changing Lifestyles for

Urban and Rural citizens Social Media and Democratic

Reform Chinese Dream

China and India Compared

2011 Nominal GDP in US$ billions (Source: IMF)

Basic Education

1950: 20% over age 15 are literate2007: 93.3% over age 15 are literate while

99% of 15-24 year olds are literate2009, PISA (Program for International

Student Assessment) international rankings of 15 year olds placed Shanghai students first in the world in mathematics, science and literacy

Health

1949: Average Life Expectancy of 35 years2012: Average Life Expectancy of 74.8 yearsBut life expectancy would be much higher if

respiratory illnesses (cigarettes, air pollution) could be reduced, water quality improved and food safety increased.

Improvements to public health should provide huge gains in life expectancy.

Q: In what ways has China’s economic miracle failed to improve society?PollutionCorruptionConsumerism

Endless pursuit of status goods Rising Search for spiritual alternative (Christianity

is growing very fast) Vice (drugs, gambling, prostitution) is a rising

menace. Congestion

100-km Chinese traffic jam enters Day 9Last Updated: Monday, August 23, 2010 | 1:43 PM ET CBC News

External LinksXinhua: Highway jam enters its 9th day, spans 100km(Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites - links will open in new window)

                  (David Gray/Reuters)

A nine-day traffic jam in China is now more than 100 kilometres long and could last for weeks, state media reported Monday. Thousands of trucks en route to Beijing from Huai'an in the southeast have been backed up since Aug. 14, making the National Expressway 100 impassable, Xinhua News reported. A spokesman for the Beijing Traffic Management Bureau reportedly told China's Global Times newspaper that the backup was due to "insufficient traffic capacity … caused by maintenance construction.“ The construction is scheduled to last until Sept. 13.Stranded drivers appear to have few options when it comes to dealing with the jam. At least some drivers have complained that roadside vendors have increased their prices to take advantage of the traffic jam. One truck driver said he bought instant noodles from one vendor for four times the original price.

Overview of China’s Urbanization

Overview of China’s Urbanization

Nanjing Road: Shanghai

Q: In what ways has China’s economic miracle failed to improve society?Failure to introduce meaningful political and

legal reform. Tiananmen Square Protests of 1989 Internet and press are subject to heavy handed censorship Courts and police are corrupt and serve interests of the

party Despite this, the government is having difficulty resisting

change: Failure to introduce national history curriculum in Hong Kong Need for legal reform to sustain investment

Inequality Chinese market socialism has failed to deliver distributive

justice.