1. Chapter 9
Politics in China

2. Brief Background Info President (head of state) is Hu Jintao
Premier (head of government) is Wen Jiabao
People’s Republic of China (PRC) was founded by Mao Zedong (Tse-tung)
He is credited with transforming a backward, agricultural area to modernization
Established hope of prosperity among citizens

3. Present Day China Communist party state (single party state)
Authoritarian but not totalitarian
Is not tolerant of challenges to power
Major focus is economic growth, but also reforming politically & socially
Legitimacy is based on economic performance

4. Current Challenges Establishing a sense of nationalism Economy
Membership in the World Trade Organization
Inequity among citizens

5. Sense of Nationalism
Attempting to build community through non-political activities (2008 Olympics)

6. Economy Reforming to compete with world superpowers
Transition from communist to market-oriented
Large rate of foreign investment
“Iron Rice Bowl” (permanent, secure employment) is gone
Downsizing and layoffs are major issues

7. Membership in WTO
Domestic companies that cannot compete in world market are suffering high unemployment levels and going bankrupt
Benefits exporting businesses such as toys, clothes, etc.

8. Inequity Among Citizens
Rural citizens earn less than half of urban citizens