Knowing China

by Chow, Gregory C.

• ISBN13: 9789812386731
• ISBN10: 9812386734
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2004-02-13
• Publisher: Textstream

Summary

This invaluable book offers an insight into China through its history, culture, people, economy, education, science and technology, as well as government and political system. The author also compares the "twin" cities of Hong Kong and Shanghai, and describes places of interest in the world's most populous country. In addition, he offers a glimpse into the delicate China-US relations, highlighting partnership opportunities between the two giant economies. The book is based on the author's knowledge accumulated over five decades of research, teaching, traveling, directing projects on China, and working with Chinese government officials, educators, academics and entrepreneurs.

Table of Contents

ABOUT THE AUTHOR	vi
PREFACE	vii
LIST OF FIGURES	xvii
1. SOME FACETS OF CHINA'S HISTORY	1	(30)
Shang, 1766-1121 BC - Advanced Culture and Rich Human Resources	1	(2)
Zhou, 1122-211 BC - Golden Period of Development of Chinese Thoughts	3	(1)
Qin, 200 BC-National Unification and Strong Government	4	(1)
Han, 206 BC-220 AD-Large Empire and Adoption of Confucianism; a Great Historian	5	(4)
Three Kingdoms, 220-80; Jin, 265-420; and Succession of Dynasties, 304-589	9	(1)
Tang, 618-901-Trade, Buddhism and Poetry	10	(1)
Song, 960-1126-A Flourishing Capitalist Economy	11	(1)
Yuan, 1279-1368-Rule by Mongols but Han Culture Survived	12	(1)
Ming, 1368-1644-Overseas Explorations	13	(1)
Qing, 1644-1911-Impact of Western and Japanese Imperialism	14	(2)
The Republic of China, 1911-Political Disunity, Wars and Economic Progress	16	(6)
The People's Republic of China, 1949-Present-From a Planned to a Market Economy	22	(1)
Two Disastrous Political Movements	23	(3)
Economic Reform Initiated in 1978	26	(5)
2. CULTURE AND DAILY LIFE	31	(22)
Food and Cooking	32	(1)
Calligraphy and Painting	33	(4)
Handicraft, Furniture, China, and Other Forms of Art	37	(1)
Architecture-Buildings and Gardens	38	(1)
Martial Arts and Performing Arts	39	(3)
Chinese Medicine and Ways of Healing	42	(1)
Literature	43	(2)
Philosophy	45	(2)
Confucian Philosophy and Daily Life	47	(1)
Individual Conduct	47	(1)
Family Relationship	48	(1)
Social Order	49	(1)
Concluding Remarks	50	(3)
3. THE ECONOMY	53	(32)
China's Economy before 1949	53	(2)
Chinese Economy at Present	55	(2)
Size of the Economy	57	(2)
Accuracy of Chinese Official Statistics	59	(4)
Fundamental Factors of China's Economic Growth	63	(1)
High Quality and Abundance of Human Capital	64	(1)
Market Institutions	65	(1)
Availability of Modern Technology to a Latecomer	66	(1)
Income Inequality	67	(3)
Strength and Weaknesses of China's Economic Institutions	70	(7)
The Banking System	71	(2)
The State Enterprises	73	(2)
Moral Basis of China's Legal System	75	(2)
Social Network - Guanxi	77	(1)
Respect for Patents and Intellectual Property Rights	78	(1)
China's Legal and Economic Institutions	79	(6)
4. THE CHINESE PEOPLE	85	(30)
Who Are the Chinese	85	(1)
The Chinese in Mainland China	85	(9)
Ethnic Diversity and Discrimination	87	(1)
Status of Women	88	(1)
Effect of the Cultural Revolution on Behavior	89	(3)
Abuse of Economic Power	92	(2)
Chinese Outside of Mainland China	94	(11)
Overseas Chinese in General	94	(1)
Chinese in Hong Kong	95	(5)
Chinese in the United States	100	(3)
Chinese in Taiwan	103	(2)
China's Population Problem	105	(10)
The Chinese Government Considers a Large Population a Problem	106	(1)
How Many Chinese Are Too Many	107	(2)
Can China Afford to Have More Children	109	(4)
A Large Population Has Its Advantages	113	(1)
More People Means More Power and Influence	113	(1)
Favorable Scale Effects of a Very Large Population	114	(1)
5. EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY	115	(26)
Historical Background of Formal Educational Institutions	115	(4)
Education in the People's Republic of China	119	(3)
Education Reform After 1978	122	(1)
Quality of University Faculties	123	(4)
Institutional Characteristics of China's Universities	127	(3)
Non-Government Educational Institutions	130	(2)
Family Education and Self Education	132	(2)
Distinguished Features of Chinese Students	134	(1)
Science	135	(2)
Technology	137	(4)
6. GOVERNMENT SYSTEM AND PERFORMANCE	141	(36)
How Is the Chinese Government Organized	141	(5)
How Good Is the Chinese Government	146	(1)
Freedom	147	(5)
Elections and Participation in Government Administration	152	(3)
What the Government Does for the People	155	(6)
Personal Experience Working with the Chinese Government	161	(8)
On Corruption	169	(4)
On Political Reform	173	(4)
7. HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI: TWO MODERN CITIES	177	(16)
Hong Kong	177	(6)
Ranked First in Economic Freedom	178	(1)
A Spectacular Harbor View	178	(2)
Outstanding Economic Infrastructure	180	(1)
Food and Quality of Life	181	(1)
Dynamism of Hong Kong	182	(1)
Shanghai	183	(10)
Dynamic Growth	183	(1)
Advantage From a Rich Cultural Tradition	184	(2)
The Market System	186	(1)
Infrastructure	187	(2)
Cultural Activities	189	(1)
Economic Activities	190	(3)
8. A COUNTRY FOR TOURISTS	193	(24)
China's Geography - a Map of China	193	(2)
Natural Beauty - Guilin, Huangshan, Wuvishan, Along the Yangtze	195	(12)
Guilin	196	(1)
Huangshan (Yellow Mountains)	197	(3)
Wuvishan	200	(5)
Along the Yangtze	205	(2)
Historical Sites	207	(10)
Beijing and Nearby Sites	207	(3)
The Summer Palace	210	(1)
Tiantan (Heaven Pavilion)	211	(1)
Tiananmen Square	212	(2)
Sites near Beijing	214	(1)
Xi'an	215	(2)
9. US-CHINA RELATIONS	217	(14)
The United States as a World Power before and after 9/11, 2001	217	(1)
The Basis of US-China Relations	218	(2)
US-China Relation in the Power Structure of East Asia	220	(3)
Possible Conflict with China over Taiwan	223	(1)
China Not a Threat to the United States	224	(1)
Economic Competition from China	225	(2)
US-China Partnership	227	(4)
BIBLIOGRAPHY	231	(4)
INDEX	235