China: The Giant with Growing Indigestion and Skin

Irritation

Seven Major Geographic Qualities Of China

1) China’s population represents over one-fifth of all humanity. Territorially, China ranks third among the world’s countries.

2) China is one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations.

3) China’s civilization developed over a long period in considerable isolation, protected by physiographic barriers and by sheer distance from other source areas.

4) The Chinese state and national culture evolved from a core area that emerged in the north, near the present capital of Beijing (Peking). China’s culture hearth has remained there ever since.

5) China’s enormous population is strongly concentrated in the country’s eastern regions. Western zones remain comparatively empty and open, and are also more arid and far less productive.

6) China’s recent modernizing drive notwithstanding, the country remains a dominantly rural society with limited urbanization and industrialization.

7) Rural China is a land of enduring traditions. Neither the Communist Revolution drive has truly changed the villagers’ way of life. Many old values persist, and the teachings of Kongfuzi (Confucius) are still remembered.

B.E. Confucianism spread and dominated life.550-ish BC

Dynastic China (21BC-1912)

Development of Buddhism 650-ish AD

Partitioning of China (dividing up) by British, Russians and Japanese

D.E. (Late 1800’s/Early 1900’s

Republican Government (1912-1948)

Confucius

A.E. Phase 1-- Sun Yatsen (1925)

Communists vs. Nationalists, Begins 1924 -- stopped 1932 (They united to fight the Japanese) They resumed in 1945 -- 1949

Why The Change??

(1) Mao Zedong (Tsi-Tung)

Mao Defeats the Nationalists led by (2)Chaing Kai Shek

They forced on to Formosa (Taiwan)

This creates 2 China’s

Mainland China = Peoples Republic of China (PROC)

Taiwan = Republic of China (ROC)

1

2

No trade or political No trade or political interactioninteraction

China side s with N. China side s with N. Korea during Korean Korea during Korean War (1950-53)War (1950-53)

During the Cold War -- During the Cold War -- U.S. very suspicious U.S. very suspicious of Communist Chinaof Communist China

Great Leap Forward Great Leap Forward (50’s and 60”s)(50’s and 60”s)

Cultural Revolution (1960’s) end Confucian ideas

Some help to North Vietnam Provided many needed materials as did USSR allowing N Vietnamese to extend war

1954 -- French Indochina

China actually controlled most of Indo –China from the 1600’s-the late 1800’s.

1971 -- UN recognizes P.R.O.C. (Mainland) including Taiwan - Hong Kong - political, economical sovereignty

1972 -- U.S. President Nixon visits PROC, begins positive dialogue

1976 -- Mao Zedong dies

Deng Xiaoping is Mao's successor, Communist party chairman, (died 1996)

Economic success by other Asian Countries forces changes in China

Japan / 4 Tigers

1. Rapid modernization/mechanization of agriculture

2. Immediate upgrade of defense forces

3. Modernization of expansion of industry

4. The development of science, technology and medicine

1980’s “4 Modernizations”

A Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is a geographical region that has economic laws different from a country's typical economic laws. Usually the goal is an increase in foreign investment. Special Economic Zones have been established in several countries, including the People's Republic of China, India, Jordan, Poland, Kazakhstan, the Philippines and Russia. North Korea has also attempted this to a degree. Who was the previous Chinese Leader?

1. Shenzhen - Hong Kong

2. Zhuhai “ “

3. Shanton - “ “

4. Ziamen - Taiwan

S.E.Z. 1979 (define)

Phase 2--After the

Modernizations (4) Capitalistic and Democratic influences begin to appear - 70’s & 80’s GNP and economic growth appears in most of Asia

Four Tigers- (other than Japan)

Hong Kong

Taiwan Type of work?

South Korea

Singapore

(Vietnam could move in)

What economic things are going on in the U.S. at this same time? (waves)

How does this relate to “4 Tigers” and Economic Growth in China?

Why the Tiananmen Square Conflict?

What was it?

1996 -- China attempts to carry out “Full Scale” (live) military practice around Taiwan. Why? What was the

US position?

U.S. says “just try it” and moves navy into a strategic position to keep China from carrying out live ammunition military “ practice” around Taiwan.

1997 -- Hong Kong became part of China. If you were a citizen of Hong Kong what

are your concerns?

Current Chinese President - Hu Jintoa

3rd largest country

100,000 sq. miles larger than the US

Temperate Zone Climate See charts from ch./unit 1Subtropical -- SouthHumid Continental -- EastDesert -- North

Physical China

Population/Land -vs.- US Total

Population Crude Density

% Arable Land

Physiologic Density

Per Capita Income

U.S. 245

Million 56 psm 21% 364

$ 21,800

China 1.2-1.5 Billion

409 10% 2800 $ 360

Current IssuesAir pollution -- High Sulfur Coal use Air pollution -- High Sulfur Coal use

in Manufacturingin ManufacturingAcid RainAcid RainWater shortageWater shortageLess than 10% of sewage receives Less than 10% of sewage receives

treatmenttreatmentEstimated loss of 1/5 of agricultural Estimated loss of 1/5 of agricultural

land since 1957: soil erosion, land since 1957: soil erosion, economic development, economic development, desertificationdesertification

Per capita -- 2,500Per capita -- 2,500

11.8% Growth rate11.8% Growth rate

Exports 121 billion (1994)Exports 121 billion (1994)

Imports 115.7 billion (1994)Imports 115.7 billion (1994)

Currency Yuan 8.4 = $1 U.S. Currency Yuan 8.4 = $1 U.S. (1995)(1995)

EconomicEconomic

Pinyin -- standard Chinese (1958)Pinyin -- standard Chinese (1958)

No European InfluenceNo European Influence

Peking And BeijingPeking And Beijing

Yellow river = Huang He riverYellow river = Huang He river

Yangtse = Chaing JiangYangtse = Chaing Jiang

China = XinhuaChina = Xinhua