Table of Contents
Foreword by Tony Saich
Introduction
Part One CHINA IN THE WORLD
1 Trade
China, in conjunction with Hong Kong, is the second-largest trading nation in the world.
2 Investment
Foreign direct investment in China continues to grow, and China is developing its own overseas investments.
3 Military Power
China’s regular armed forces comprise 9 percent of the world’s total.
4 International Relations
China’s international relations are influenced by a combination of ambition and nationalism.
5 Chinese Diaspora
Chinese outward migration over the centuries has created some strong overseas communities.
Part Two PEOPLE IN CHINA
6 Population
Over 1.3 billion people, one-fifth of the world’s population, live in China.
7 The Gender Gap
There are more boys than girls in China.
8 Minority Nationalities
Around 10 percent of people in China are from one of 55 officially recognized ethnic groups.
9 Rural–Urban Inequality
China is one of the most unequal societies in the world.
Part Three THE ECONOMY
10 Economic Development
Between 1990 and 2007, China’s economy grew by an average of 10 percent a year.
11 Entrepreneurs
The entrepreneur is fêted in popular self-help manuals and biographies.
12 Employment
There are at least 8 million new entrants each year into China’s labor market.
13 Agriculture
Agriculture provides a declining share of China’s GDP.
14 Industry
China’s industrial output is expanding, with goods produced both for export and in the hope of building domestic demand.
15 Services
The share of GDP contributed by the services sector grew by 10 percent between 1997 and 2007.
16 Tourism
The major focus of China’s tourism industry is on domestic tourists.
17 Energy
China’s energy production has soared since 2002, in order to keep up with the
demand of its growing economy.
Part Four THE ENVIRONMENT
18 Urbanization
China is undergoing the largest internal migration in the history of the world.
19 Transport
The growth of motorized traffic in China’s cities is indicative of the drive towards rapid modernization.
20 Air Pollution
The conflict between environmental protection and economic growth is one of China’s foremost dilemmas.
21 Water Resources
China is facing a water crisis – both in terms of supply and of quality.
Part Five GOVERNANCE AND RIGHTS
22 Who Runs China
China is a one-party state, with supreme power exercised by the nine members of the Politburo.
23 Chinese Communist Party
The CCP is the most powerful political party in the world.
24 The People’s Liberation Army
The PLA is controlled by the Party-State through two arms of the Central Military Commission, both of them chaired by Chairman Hu Jintao.
25 Rule of Law
In the era of economic reform, China has moved towards enshrining the rule of law in the constitution and in practice.
26 State Versus Citizens
China is a more open society than 30 years ago.
Part Six LIVING IN CHINA
27 Households
China’s one-child policy is creating a population with a high proportion of elderly dependents.
28 Food
China’s national diet is changing, with urbanites eating an increasing amount of meat and dairy products.
29 Health
Increased commercialization of China’s healthcare system is putting certain treatments beyond the means of many households.
30 Education
China has over 130 million children in primary and secondary education.
31 Media and Telecoms
China’s burgeoning media sector is a sign of its growing economy.
32 Religion
Only five religions are allowed by the Chinese government.
Part Seven DATES AND DATA
Chronology 1949–1979
Chronology 1980–2010
Data Tables
China in the World
China: Population
China: Economy
China: Living and Lifestyle
China: Natural Resources
Commentaries and Sources
Select Bibliography
Index
