CHINA TODAY

Chapter 26 section 3

I. China’s economy A. command economy: an economic

system in which the gov’t owns all businesses and makes all economic decisions1. example: where ppl work2. in 1970’s, China began allowing aspects of a market economy(ppl choose careers, decide what to make or sell, and keep the profits they earn) b/c they had economic problems

3. mixed economy had helped China’s economic boom – 2nd largest economy in the world

B. agriculture and industry1. most Chinese are farmers2. world’s leading producer of

a. riceb. wheatc. cornd. potatoes

3. 10% land good for farming (arable)

4. industry is rapidly growinga. satellites and chemicalsb. clothing and toysc. industry and manufacturing are most profitable part of China’s economy

C. results of economic growth1. improved wages and standard of living

2. most homes have electricity3. ppl can afford TVs, computers, and cars

4. rural areas - ppl poor and unemployment is high

II. China’s government A. gov’t tightly controls most areas of

life1. newspapers2. Internet

B. harshly punishes those who oppose gov’t1. 1989 100,000 pro-democracy protestors

gathered in Tiananmen Square2. when they wouldn’t leave, gov’t sent in

troops and tanks3. hundreds killed, many more injured or

imprisoned

C. harsh action against ethnic rebellions1. 1959 Tibetans rebelled and China quickly crushed revolt

2. the Dalai Lama (Buddhist leader) fled to India

3. cracked down on Tibetans’ rights

D. China’s accused of not respecting human rights

E. some countries want to limit or stop trading w/China

III. Rural and Urban China A. rural China

1. most ppl live in small, rural villages2. use same farming methods for decades

3. not modern B. urban China

1. ppl leave villages for cities2. growing econ. – rapid urbanization

3. major cities on coast or along major rivers

4. Shanghaia. lgest city w/13 million pplb. leading seaport and industrial and commercial center

c. has European feel and nightlife

5. Beijing (Peking)a. second lgestb. capitalc. mix of old and newd. political and cultural center

6. Hong Konga. major port cityb. center of trade and tourism

c. colony of UK until 1997d. mix of culturese. modern7. Macaoa. major port cityb. center of trade and tourismc. colony of Portugal until 1999d. moderne. mix of cultures

IV. China’s environment A. econ and urban growth – serious

issues1. cars and factories pollute air and water

2. coal used for electricity B. loss of forests and farmland

1. trees cut down w/out replanting2. cities built on best farmland

C. working to address these issues1. move toward hydroelectric power2. Three Gorges Dam on Chang Jiang River

a. finished in 2009b. world’s lgest damc. generate as much electricity as 15 coal-burning plants

d. hundreds of towns and cities under water

e. loss of farmlandf. millions have had to move