China

Background Information

      The People’s Republic of China was established on the 1st October 1949 Population: 1.3 billion. (22% of the world population). 36% live in urban areas, 64% in rural areas Area: 16,800 square km.

Bordered by 13 countries Seven geographic provinces Capital: Beijing

Other Relevant Facts

• The ruling party is called the Communist Party of China (CPC) • President : Hu Jintao • National language: Mandarin • China is a unified multi national country of 56 nationalities. The Han people make up 91% of the total population

Under the Communist System

• Economy completely controlled by government ( CCP) • Self sufficient • No international trading • State enterprise • All of society’s basic needs met by benefits • (Iron Rice Bowl)

The Move Towards Capitalism

• China takes part in the Global economy • Everyone looks after their own interests • Consumerism • Choice • Private enterprises • Joint ventures

Economic reform in China

These have proved necessary because • China could not compete with the West.

• A Self sufficient command economy put China in isolation.

• In order for the economy to grow, China wanted and needed to allow foreign investment

Changes!

In order to catch up with the West and boost economy China introduced new ideas: • Open Door Policy • Special Economic Zones (SEZs) • Encouragement of Private Enterprise

The Open Door Policy

• Encouragement of foreign investment and new technology.

• Joint Ventures • Chinese students sent abroad to study in foreign universities • Diplomatic links made

Special Economic Zones (SEZs)

• Areas set aside to become the focus of modern export industries.

• Free land.

• Cheap labour.

• Exemption from duties on imported raw materials.

Private Businesses encouraged

• They pay a great deal more in tax • Government gets more revenue • Those laid off by state owned enterprises can find work in the private sector • CPC have a smaller role in peoples lives.

Benefits

• Increased Incomes • Increased Exports • Improvement in Economic growth

More Benefits

• SEZs have created 12% of China’s total exports • More than 50% of their products are sold in Foreign markets • Private businesses have gained 25% of the Chinese economy.

• Examples of SEZs include Zhuhai, Shenzhen, Fuzhou, Xiamen, and Hainan

Poster challenge

• Design a poster that will encourage British businesses to move to China • Think about issues

The Chinese Political System

• The Communist Party has ruled China since 1949, tolerating no opposition and often dealing brutally with dissent. Nowadays the country is actually governed by nine men on top of a pyramid of power which reaches into every village and workplace. • They have never faced competitive election, making it to the top thanks to their patrons, abilities and survival instincts in a political culture where saying the wrong thing can lead to a life under house-arrest, or worse.

Formally, their power stems from their positions on the Party's decision-making Politburo. But in China, personal relations count much more than job titles. A leader's influence rests on the loyalties he or she builds with superiors and protégés, often over decades. .

That was how Deng Xiaoping remained paramount leader long after resigning all official posts, and it explains why Party elders sometimes play a key role in big decisions.

The Politburo controls three other important bodies and ensures the Party line is upheld. These are the military affairs commission, which controls the armed forces; The National People's Congress, or parliament; The State Council, the government's administrative arm

The workings of the Chinese Government

China’s More Controversial Plan THE THREE GORGES DAM

THE THREE GORGES DAM

• Largest water conservation project in the world • It generates 11% of all of China’s energy requirements • Around 1.3 million people have had to be resettled as their homes are now under water • Many criticisms of the project on environmental grounds • It has created a 370 mile reservoir and caused water levels to rise by 110 metres in some areas

Social Change • Internal migration from rural to urban areas • Overcrowding in the cities • Shanty towns forming

Spiritual Pollution

• “Red Eye disease” • Jealousy • Increase in crime,drugs and hooliganism • Dog eat dog mentality

Political Change

• Capitalism implies choice yet communism denies choice • CPC have been very strict on demands for political reform • Party is scared that the people of China will overthrow them, and introduce a democracy • This explains in part the brutal repression of the Tiananmen Square protestors on 17th April 1989

How much do you know about China

1 When exactly was the People’s Republic of China established?

2 Write down the President, the population and the capital of China.

3 Under communism which organisation controlled the economy?

4 Give 3 reasons to explain why economic reform was necessary in China.

5 Explain what an SEZ is and what percentage of exports they create.

6 What percentage of goods does China sell abroad?

7 “

Even after economic reforms, private business still has no influence on the Chinese economy”

Statement by Li Chow. Using the information from slide 13, explain why Li Chow could be accused of

exaggeration.

8 Which major project did the Chinese government introduce to help increase energy production?

9 Write down 3 facts about the Three Gorges Dam 10 Using the ideology textbook write a paragraph about the Three Gorges Dam (see page 81)

The End.

Slideshow developed by Mr D Thomson Trinity Academy Edinburgh