Unit 4: China Quiz
China's one child policy 1980-2015 (and what is happening now)
"one-child policy, official program initiated in the late 1970s and early '80s by the central government of China, the purpose of which was to limit the great majority of family units in the country to one child each. The rationale for implementing the policy was to reduce the growth rate of China's enormous population." Now: - Now China is experiencing a very low birth rate - The government got rid of the 1 child policy - Incentives: low costs for education and gov't asking couples when they will start to have children - Has the capacity to negatively impact the economy
Central Commission for Discipline Inspection
(Has become more powerful under Xi) -> In charge of preventing corruption and making sure policies/regulations are being followed -> Ensuring members are being loyal to Communist Party (limiting opposition)
Xi's consolidation of power
(Xi has worked to restore the party's central role in society and reclaim China's power on the world stage) -> modernizing China's military -> repress minority communities (repressing Uyghurs and other Muslims in the Xinjiang region -> detained in "reeducation camps" -> involuntary sterilization and forced labor) -> launched an anti corruption campaign that targets his rivals -> created his own faction of loyalists (no opposition) -> ELIMINATED TERM LIMIT FOR PRESIDENT
China and Taiwan Issue
- After the Chinese Civil War between the Communists and Nationalists, the Nationalists fled to Taiwan (1949) **Established the Republic of China Current Situation in Taiwan: - Taiwan remains separate (independent gov't system) - High tensions between China and Taiwan - China wants reunification, but Taiwan intends to stay separate **US ESTABLISHED A DEFENSE TREATY IN 1950 TO DETER AN INVASION OF TAIWAN BY CHINA
Central Committee
- Carry out policy and decisions - Oversee policy making (goals from National Party Congress)
What main topics did Xi focus on his New Years Address?
- China is headed down a path of modernization and Great Rejuvenation - Emphaisis on China's large GDP (120 trillion yuan) - China has yielded a good harvest (good food supply) - COVID-19's New Phase (opening out due to science based evidence) - Working towards advancing socialism w/ Chinese characteristics - Strong military + completed space station - He hopes China unifys with Taiwan Overall: -> Encouraging citizens to press on and take on challenages (hardwork) -> Emphasis of China's accomplishments throughout 2022
Politburo
- China's "second most major decision making body" - Helps and works alongside Standing Committee
Premier and the State Council
- Day to day bureaucratic administration - Implement policies that are formulated by the CCP
Challenges to CCP legitimacy
- Economic slowdown (massive accumulation of debt by companies, local governments, and households) - COVID-19 Pandemic (At first, citizens argued that the gov't has a slow response and it made efforts to silence doctors. Then, the CCP pushed for a zero-Covid policy and reported lower case counts in order to push a narrative that China's gov't is superior to handling crisis situations. However, citizens have criticized the zero-Covid policy for causing economic losses) -Income Inequality ("the richest 10% earn 14 times more than the poorest 50%") - Environmental degradation ("China has emitted more greenhouse gases per year than any other country." Also, China has had continued issues with air pollution, water scarcity, and soil contamination. Thus, people had protested against the CCP. - Harsh restrictions to counter possible threats (the CCP has silenced religious groups, media organizations, human rights activists, etc)
China 2008 Olympics
- From new construction projects to attracting the spotlight, the Olympics will have a lasting effect on China. For the PRC leadership and most Chinese, the July 13, 2001 International Olympic Committee (IOC) announcement that Beijing would host the 2008 Olympic Games marked China's emergence as a major global player. - China has embraced the basic ideals of the Olympics with its own slogan, "One World, One Dream," and has widely promoted a green and high-tech Olympics. To prepare for the games, China invested nearly $40 billion in infrastructure alone from 2002 to 2006, transformed the cityscape of Beijing **New: -> Sports facilities -> Improved transportation (extending Beijing's subway system) -> Urban renewal (refurbish historic sites) -> High technology (improved telecommunications)
General Secretary
- In charge of China's armed forces - Leads China's central committee
Great Leap Forward (1958)
- Mao Zedong launched a program aimed at improving China's industry and agriculture 1) Mass mobilization of peasants to increase industrial outputs -> Led to people experiencing physical exhaustion 2) China suffered a severe drought, famine, and even flooding ** The famine costed 27 million lives
National Party Congress
- Meets every 5 years - Appoints members of the central committee - Sets goals for the next 5 years (Ex: reducing poverty)
China's 2018 Constitutional Amendments
- Presidential term limit is eliminated (Xi can rule indefinitely) - "The defining feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics is the leadership of the Communist Party of China."
National People's Congress
- legislative body that passes laws and amend's state's constitutional -> Appoints the President
President of China
- the HEAD OF STATE of China - Largely a ceremonial role - Appoint + remove state council department heads - declares war - declares state emergencies - represents the state - promulgates laws **ALSO GENERAL SECRETARY
Hong Kong Protests
-> Back in 1997, Britain handed over Hong Kong -> Beijing promised Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy for 50 years -> Hong Kong would be able to have its own government, but mainland China would be in charge of foreign affairs (''one country two systems'') -> Hong Kong enjoys multiple freedoms -> rule of law, freedom of press, and freedom of speech -> China's National Security Law (cases can be tried under mainland China's justice system) -> 2 million people participated in this protest and over 100,000 people in Hong Kong have fled (EX: UK and Australia)
Sources of legitimacy for the Chinese government
-> Limited economic slowdown and accumulation of debt -> Good efforts to improve the environment -> Proper COVID-19 polices (a lot of people protested against the Zero Covid policy when an apartment fire took the lives of over 10 people) -> Proper income inequality
Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
-> Making sure the Communist Party's goals are being implemented and upheld (strengthening its leadership)
U.S.-China Trade War
-> The United States launched a trade war on China, accusing the country of unfair trade practices and even intellectual property theft (launched under the Trump Administration) **EX: United States have accused Chinese hackers of copying the United State's military technology and products. In causation, the United States has been pulling away from its trade relationship with China because it believes that China has undermined American security. -> The United States + China have been placing tarifs on one another
Standing Committee of the Politburo
-China's most "senior decision making body" - conducts policy discussions and makes decisions on major issues
Time Periods in Chinese History (4)
1) Early River Valley Civilization along Yellow and Huang River (8000 BC) 2) Imperial Period -> Dynasties (Qin Dynasty 220 BC start- 1911 Qing Dynasty end) 3) Century of Humiliation 1830s-1949 (at. The hands of Western Imperialists) -> Opium Wars -> Warlords competing for power -> Japanese invasion -> Civil War between Nationalists and communists
Belt and Road Initiative
A global development strategy adopted by the Chinese government involving infrastructure development and investments in 152 countries and international organizations in Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas.
Pragmatism (Deng Xiaoping) -> list quote
A philosophy which focuses only on the outcomes and effects of processes and situations. ''It doesn't matter if a cat is black or white, so long as it catches mice.''
4 Modernizations of China
Agriculture: -> Deng wanted to machiniez farming in order to increase food production -> RESPONSIBILITY SYSTEM = gov't would give land leases to farm families, and farm families could sell their excess crops in the market for PROFIT -> SECURITY CONTRACT = gov't will buy farm products from farmers and farmers could sell their excess National Defense: -> Advance weaponry -> Modern training to soldiers **Making military more professional Science & Technology: -> China's best and brightest were sent to be educated in western institutions to gain knowledge + connections ** EX: engineering, CS, business, etc Industry: -> Improved machinery + technology -> Developed military weaponry -> Factory managers could now decide how much of a product to produce and who to hire
Deng Xiaoping
Deng essentially encouraged the idea that success is measured in whether people's lives are improved rather than having China strictly abide by communism. Furthermore, he also supported private enterprise and foreign diplomacy (and investment). -> Pushed China's economy towards globalization
Tiananmen Square Massacre (1989)
In 1989, demonstrators peacefully assembled to push for greater democracy in China; when the demonstrators refused to disperse the government sent in troops and tanks
Central Military Commission
In charge of organizing and administering China's armed forces
Jiang Zemin
Jiang Zemin was a Chinese politician who served as general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party from 1989 to 2002, as chairman of the Central Military Commission from 1989 to 2004, and as president of China from 1993 to 2003
Three Represents
Jiang Zemin's 2001 policy that China should always represent the development needs of China's advancing productivity, advancing culture, & the interests of the majority of the population (co-opting private entrepreneurs into the CCP) (workers, peasants, merchants)
Hundred Flowers Campaign 1957
Mao said 'Let a hundred flowers bloom, and a hundred schools of thought contend.' Censorship was lifted momentarily and intellectuals were encouraged to criticise the party. A torrent of criticism followed and Mao soon turned matters around. A purge of intellectuals followed and more than 500,000 were sent to labour camps or the countryside.
Falun Gong
Meditative martial arts movement founded in 1992 and banned by Chinese government in 1999 as an "evil cult" -> On 20 July 1999, the CCP leadership initiated a nationwide crackdown and multifaceted propaganda campaign directed against the practice. It blocked Internet access to websites that mention Falun Gong, and in October 1999 it declared Falun Gong a "heretical organization" that threatened social stability. ->CCP believed it disrupted social order -> Thousands of people died (many were persecuted)
Hukou System
The hukou system is the administrative tool used for population management and registration. The hukou system classifies individuals into urban and rural categories, assigning certain services to each classification, such as access to hospitals and schools. This policy dictates where individuals can live, work and own land in China. This restricts population movement by reserving government services like social security and public education only to citizens with proper hukou for the area in which they live. Changing one's hukou is often expensive and almost impossible, depending on where the individual wants to live. Due to these policies, the PRC directly shapes available opportunities for urban and rural residents, contributing to stark disparities between its civilians. -> Some people born with rural hukou endure a complex and costly process to change their status, but many others lack the resources to go through this legal avenue. As a result, many rural residents migrate to cities without the allowed hukou, losing access to beneficial government services and often resorting to poor housing conditions.
Treaty of Nanjing (1842)
The opium trade continued, and China had to compensate Great Britain for its losses, give Hong Kong Island to the British, and increase the number of treaty ports where the British could trade and reside.
Land Reform 1950
Under the Agrarian Reform Law of 1950, the property of rural landlords was confiscated and redistributed
Uighurs and Xinjiang Region
Uyghurs have no religious rights, ideology unapproved by government. This minority group's members have been detained and sent to reeducation camps aligned with Xi's goal of a unified nationalism -> CCP has received international backlash as a human rights infringement and form of forced labor, sterilization, and surveillance North west china, 11 million Uyghurs (Muslim, Turkic-speaking) 1 million+ imprisoned since 2017
Opium War (1839-1842)
War between Great Britain and China began with the Qing dynasty's refusal to allow continued opium importation into China; British victory resulted in the Treaty of Nanjing
Guanxi (China), corruption
a Chinese term meaning "networks" or "connections" that open doors for new business and facilitate deals. A person who has a lot of guanxi will be in a better position to generate business than someone who lacks it. People in China can buy their way into power. -> Bribery and gift exchange -> Building a relationship/connection and doing favors for one another
Mandate of Heaven
a political theory of ancient China in which those in power were given the right to rule from a divine source (order, peace, and prosperity)
Cultural Revolution (1966-1976)
chaotic movement in China led by Mao Zedong; aimed at preserving "true" communism and purging capitalist and traditional elements from Chinese society
Fifth Modernization (how did Deng handle this?)
democracy (people were calling for democratic values to be implemented in China's government + economy) -> People who advocated for this were ARRESTED
Huawei
largest supplier of networking and telecom equipment in China, 2nd largest in the world, ranking 2nd only to Ericson -> Huawei has long been suspected of assisting Chinese surveillance programs, even though the tech giant denies its close ties to China's government. Some Western governments have already blocked the company from their networks, fearing that Huawei may help Beijing in intelligence gathering (spying on Uyghurs + general population)
Dynastic Cycle
rise and fall of Chinese dynasties according to the Mandate of Heaven
Great Chinese Firewall
the combination of legislative actions and technologies enforced by the People's Republic of China to regulate the Internet domestically. Its role in Internet censorship in China is to block access to selected foreign websites and to slow down cross-border internet traffic.