The PRC — reform, growth and a rising power
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Question
What were the Four Modernisations under Deng Xiaoping?
Answer
Agriculture, industry, national defence, and science and technology — the four sectors Deng's reform programme aimed to modernise after Mao's death in 1976.
Question
Define 'socialism with Chinese characteristics'.
Answer
The Communist Party's label for keeping total political control while allowing market forces, private enterprise and foreign investment to drive the economy.
Question
What was the household responsibility system?
Answer
A 1978–80s reform replacing Mao's collective farms: families could lease land, sell surplus crops for profit, and keep the proceeds themselves.
Question
Give an example of a Special Economic Zone and its impact.
Answer
Shenzhen — grew from a fishing town of about 30,000 people in 1980 into a city of millions, becoming a showcase for market reform.
Question
When did China join the World Trade Organization, and why did it matter?
Answer
2001 — it opened global markets to Chinese exports, accelerating China's role as 'the world's factory' and driving rapid GDP growth.
Question
What is the hukou system and why is it controversial?
Answer
China's household registration system tying access to schools, healthcare and services to a person's birthplace, leaving migrant workers in cities without full local benefits.
Question
What were the main effects of the one-child policy (from 1979/80)?
Answer
Slowed population growth, but caused a skewed gender ratio (preference for sons) and a rapidly ageing population with fewer young workers.
Question
Compare Deng's and Xi's approaches to foreign policy.
Answer
Deng: cautious, 'hide strength, bide time', avoid confrontation while building the economy. Xi: confident and assertive, launching global projects like the Belt and Road Initiative.
Question
What is the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)?
Answer
A Chinese-funded programme (launched 2013) building ports, railways, energy and digital infrastructure across Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America, echoing the ancient Silk Road.
Question
What is 'debt-trap diplomacy' and what example is used to support it?
Answer
The claim that China deliberately offers large loans so it can seize strategic assets on default — e.g. Sri Lanka's Hambantota port, leased to China for 99 years in 2017.
Question
Give one argument that reform succeeded and one that it caused serious problems.
Answer
Succeeded: hundreds of millions lifted out of extreme poverty. Serious problems: inequality between coastal and rural China widened dramatically.
Question
What event in 1997 is significant for China's post-Mao foreign policy?
Answer
Hong Kong was returned to China from Britain under 'one country, two systems', recovering territory lost in the 19th century without war.
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Topic 12.12 hub
The People's Republic of China (1949–2020)
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