Transcript China
By Nathan Huang, Joe Dupars, and Sydney Turner CHINA OVERVIEW One of the world’s oldest civilizations, going back to 2000 B.C. Communist (sort of) government. Premier is Li Keqiang 4th largest country in the world. 2nd largest economy (based on GDP and PPP) GOVERNMENT China can be classified as a limited democracy, in that only high ranking members of the Chinese Communist party have a say in the government. The President in China acts as a figurehead and handles diplomatic duties. The Premier handles the actual governing responsibilities. The Congress is mostly a rubber-stamp (meaning they usually just sign laws into power). It does however have some power. ECONOMY China’s economy is based in heavy industry and manufacturing. China also has a strong financial sector based in Hong Kong. China is the world’s largest exporter. China’s economy is very open market and deregulated, allowing for products to be made cheaply in Chinese factories. HONG KONG ETHNIC CLEAVAGE Han Chinese (91.5%) Zhuang, Manchu, Hui, Miao, Uighur, Tujia, Yi, Mongol, Tibetan, Buyi, Dong, Yao, Korean, and other nationalities (8.5%) Note: Though minority groups overall are small, they inhabit over half of the land composed of China, and constitute the majority in said area’s. Han Chinese are located mostly around the eastern seaboard. MAP OF CHINESE ETHNICITIES EDUCATION Education is of huge importance to the PRC and the people of China. Education is free from K-9, high school is not. There is a fairly large discrepancy with regards to the level of education between the urban and rural areas. Almost 100% of the people in China can read and write, compared to only 20% in 1950. ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION The Chinese government has a policy of economy first, meaning the economy always comes before everything else. China is facing severe environmental problems, with heavy smog in cities, polluted rivers and drinking water, and deforestation all serious threats. Lately though, China has been investing in green technology and facing complaints from many of its citizens on the overall environmental situation. HEALTH There is somewhat of a gap between the living conditions of the rural and urban areas. Pretty much all of the country has access to clean drinking water. There are about 1.5 doctor’s for every 1000 people. MILITARY China expends 2.6% of its GDP on the military. 2 year military obligation for all males. Students get an exemption. Women recently have been allowed to serve in combat roles with the PLA (People’s Liberation Army) FOREIGN POLICY China has been investing heavily in Africa, due to the vast an mostly untapped natural resources still in Africa. China has sent many advisors and experts to Africa to help develop the region. China has cordial relations with most nations. CHALLENGES: TIBET The PRC is facing protests and diplomatic pressure for annexing Tibet. The Dalai Lama is the most recognizable figure of Tibet's quest to gain independence again. DALAI LAMA CHALLENGES: INCOME INEQUALITY China has a fairly large gap between the development of the rural interior and that of the urban coast. Recent PRC leaders have been attempting to address the issue by stressing more balanced policies that benefit the rural population as much as the urban population.