A wise writer once thought, “brief history to bring more reference to context, never hurt anyone “.
Colonial Oppression
In 1839, the British Navy started colonialism in China, it was named as first opium war and from then onwards the legacy continued till the end of WWII — 1945. During colonialism, the imperialists started controlling the major ports and this helped in an influx of the western lifestyle into traditional Chinese. During the years to come, the financial burden on Qing Dynasty became so high that it could not perform the function of a state and hence could not sponsor projects on education, infrastructure, agriculture and research. The colonialism impacted China on all three fronts, namely — state, society and economy. During the 20th century, China lost its 3 major export goods to either better quality or better efficacy, namely -
But if we look at it from a different perspective, all was not as bad as it sounds, the small modern machinery-based industrialization was started during the colonial period. The west introduced subjects such as Maths and Science and streamlined the education system which provided a major boost to society.
Xinhai Revolution
The revolution established the Republic of China, the first inclusive government in China based on the western-style constitution.
Sino-Japanese War
Japan as we know it today is a very peaceful country, but, that wasn’t always the case . Japan while seeking raw materials to boost its industrial growth back in the 1930s invaded Manchuria, China. From there on the way forward was brutal and relentless. From 1937 until the second world war ended in 1945, Japan went on to occupy most parts of China and the heinous war crimes became a very common occurrence.
Mao Zedong
Founding Father of People’s Republic of China(PRC).
He is also known as poet, military strategist, theorist and political intellect.
Formulation of the first constitution of the PRC under him.
He favored One-party rule.
1958 — Launched the Great Leap Forward Plan aimed at changing the economy of China from agrarian to industrial.
1960 — The Great Leap Forward mission lead to one of the greatest famine in history with an estimated death toll of close to 55 million.
1966–1976 — Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution
Concern: Those in power are becoming too estranged from the people they were to serve.
Aim: Preserve Chinese Communism and eliminate the one’s opposing.
Death Toll: Approx 20 million.
During these years the educational growth was close to none as all the Universities/colleges and schools remained closed.
1977 — The reform in education system was of paramount importance.
Deng Xiaoping
December 1978 — At Jinji Lake Shilla Hotel the first Economy and Commune system of Agriculture Meeting occurred which decided to embrace science and technology and placed education at the top for spearheading the country’s growth.
He resumed the National College Entrance Exams and reopened schools with a structured education system that was pro-China, 5.7 million people took the exam and only 5% got selected.
He was the first leader to opt for reform and opening up policy ( Globalisation and Liberalisation as we Indians know it , which ,for us ,took another 13 years and a lot of International pressure) .
He sent a fact-finding mission to Europe to take what was good in their education system and subsequently inculcate it in the Chinese system.
In January 1979, the USA recognized the People Republic of China and diplomatic relations were established.
He was the first to set up SEZ (Special Economic Zones). It started with a test project in Guangzhou and was led by reformist leader Xi-Jong Shun ( father of current Chinese Premier Xi Jinping). The plan was to test it out in phases, starting from local to regional to national.
January 1979 — First Foreign Investment was made in China by Hong Kong.
His main aim throughout his tenure was to mix Communist Command Economy with the energy of Capitalist Enterprise.
(I) Many believe it is a gigantic bubble created by the government .
(II) Others believe that China is slowly returning to its historical position , because alongside India , from 200 BC to 1800 BC both nations were richest and greatest civilisations.
2000 Years of Economic History(2017)
Decentralised system of production which means that workers were based in town but the work was done mostly in the countryside . The village industrial gross output increased from being just a meager 14% of GDP(Gross Domestic Product) to 46% of GDP.The village firms increased from 1.5 million to 18.9 million .
2. 1988–1998 : First Industrial revolution
Mass production of labor intensive light consumer goods .During this period they became largest producer and exporter of textiles , furniture and toys . Also they became the largest producer and importer of Cotton . Village industrial output grew by 28% per year and doubling every 3 years .
3. 1998-present : Second Industrial Revolution
This is mainly focused on mass producing the means of mass production .
4. Third Industrial Revolution : The artificial intelligence revolution
Yet to be announced but work in progress .
World’s Manufacturing Superpower(2018)
Before the meteoric rise of China , the per capita income of Chinese was 1/3rd of sub sahara africa . Today , China is largest manufacturing powerhouse .
China roughly produces :
50% of the worlds major Industrial Goods .
60% of world’s cement .
50% of world’s Coal .
25% of world’s Vehicles .
Largest Industrial patent application are filed by China .
World’s largest producer of Ships , High-Speed Trains , Robots ,Tunnels ,Highways,Chemical Fibers, Machine Tools, Computer , Cell Phones .
Bottom line being you name a product or industry and either they are on top of the list or amongst the top .
The poverty of nations is caused by their inability to mass produce consumption goods.But mass production requires mass markets and mass distribution to render it profitable , and China has the odds in it’s favour.
