Chinas Government and Society

Chinas government is controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, which greatly restricts other political groups. Leaders gain power through promotion in and loyalty to the Communist Party, rather than through free elections.

Chinas Government and Society (cont.)

Chinese leaders have been criticized for their restrictions on human rights, and for their control of the nation of Tibet. The Dalai Lama, Tibets Buddhist leader, lives in exile in India.
To be in exile means to be forced to live somewhere other than your own country.

Chinas Government and Society (cont.)

About 65 percent of Chinas people are crowded into the fertile river valleys of eastern China. Rural families here still use hand tools, but electricity is now available in many areas and most villagers have better housing and some modern conveniences. Chinas cities are growing rapidlynearly 160 cities have more than 1 million peopleand city-dwellers often have a higher standard of living than do people in rural areas.

Economic Changes in China

In the late 1970s, Chinas leaders began permitting free market reforms in an attempt to improve the economy. Today, people can choose the jobs they want, start their own businesses, and keep the profits they make. Farmers have some control over the crops they grow and sell.

Economic Changes in China (cont.)

One of the worlds fastest-growing economies, China is a world leader in agricultural and industrial products and is the worlds second-largest oil user. It is also the worlds largest producer and user of coal.

The territories of Hong Kong and Macau are important centers of manufacturing, trade, and finance for China, and Chinese leaders hope that success in here will help economic growth in the rest of China.

Economic Changes in China (cont.)

Chinas eastern coast produces about 60 percent of the countrys goods and services, and people who live in this area enjoy a more comfortable standard of living than those in other parts of China. For energy, China burns coal, which causes air pollution and leads to lung disease. The government has cut back on coal use, but many parts of China are still threatened by its pollution.

Chinas Neighbors
About 100 miles off Chinas coast lies the island of Taiwan.
A ridge of steep, forested mountains runs through Taiwans center.

On the east, the mountains descend to a rocky coastline. On the west, they fall away to a narrow, fertile plain, where most of Taiwans people live.

Chinas Neighbors (cont.)

Since Chinese Nationalists set up their government on Taiwan in 1949, both the governments of mainland China and Taiwan have claimed the right to rule all of China, and tensions between the two governments flare up when Taiwan discusses declaring independence. When the Nationalist government started in 1949, Taiwan was a dictatorship, but in the late 1980s it moved toward democracy.

Chinas Neighbors (cont.)

North of China is the landlocked country of Mongolia. Mongolia receives little rain, and steppe grasses and desert cover its vast landscape. Because of its harsh terrain, the country has few people.

Chinas Neighbors (cont.)

For centuries, Mongolias people were nomads who herded animals.
During the 1200s, they used their horseriding and military skills to create the Mongol Empire, which stretched from China to eastern Europe. Many Mongolians still raise horses, sheep, goats, cattle, and camels.

Chinas Neighbors (cont.)

Important industries in Mongolia use products from these animals, such as wool to make textiles and clothing and the hides of cattle to make leather and shoes.
In 1990 Mongolia abandoned its 70-yearold Communist system and embraced political and economic reforms. Many Mongolians have moved from rural areas to cities, and about one-fifth of Mongolias people now live in Ulaanbaatar, the capital.

Government and Economy

Japan, off the coast of East Asia, consists of four main islands and thousands of smaller ones. The largest islands are Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu.
Tokyo, Japans capital, is located on Honshu.

Government and Economy (cont.)

Japan is a constitutional monarchy.
The emperor is the head of state, but elected officials run the government.

Voters elect representatives to the Diet, or national legislature.

The political party with the most members chooses a prime minister to lead the government.

Government and Economy (cont.)

At the urging of the United States, Japans military forces have remained small, and Japans constitution prohibits Japan from being a military power.
The United States is a close ally of Japan and keeps military bases there to defend Japan from attack.

Government and Economy (cont.)

Japan is a strong world economic power even though it must import the raw materials it needs to produce most manufactured goods. Farmland in Japan is limited, so its farmers practice intensive agriculture, or the growing of crops on every available piece of land, but the country must still import about 60 percent of its other foods. Today, Japan is an industrial giant and among the worlds top producers of steel, cars, ships, cameras, and consumer electronics.

Government and Economy (cont.)

Japans government-owned banks lend money to businesses so they can grow; the government also helps Japanese businesses by passing laws that make it difficult for other countries to sell their goods in Japan, protecting Japanese companies from foreign competition.

Government and Economy (cont.)

Japans trade restrictions have led to protests from countries that want to sell more goods there. The United States has a huge trade deficitoccurring when one country buys more goods from another country than it sells to that countrywith Japan.
Although Japan has lowered trade barriers, imports from the United States have not risen much.

Government and Economy (cont.)

One of Japans challenges for the future is growing economic competition from South Korea, Taiwan, and China. Another is that with the worlds highest life expectancy and a low birthrate, the country has an aging population and may soon face a shortage of workers, which will strain the economy.
Japan is also challenged by environmental pollution.

Life in Japan
Japan is the worlds tenth most-populous country and has a high population density.
Most Japanese are crowded into urban areas on the coastal plains.

The Tokyo area is home to more than 35 million people.

Life in Japan (cont.)

Attempting to increase the land available to them, the Japanese have built large islands using earth taken from high ground and deposited near a shoreline. One such island in Osaka Bay holds a major airport.

The Japanese have also adapted to crowded conditions by building small homes with about four small rooms per family.

Life in Japan (cont.)

Traditional Japanese homes have wooden floors covered by straw mats called tatami. These homes have little furniture, so people sit on cushions on the floor during the day and sleep on portable mattresses, called futons, at night.

Life in Japan (cont.)

In the past, grandparents, parents, and children often lived together, but today it is common for parents and children to live apart from their grandparents.
Modern Japanese women tend to delay marriage in order to focus on their careers; when they do marry, they have fewer children.

Life in Japan (cont.)

Most Japanese wear Western-style clothes most of the time.
On special occasions, such as weddings and festivals, they wear the traditional Japanese garment, the kimono. This is a long robe, usually made of silk, with an open neck, large sleeves, and a wide sash.

Life in Japan (cont.)

Many Japanese still enjoy traditional forms of theater.
The actors in No plays tell stories only through precise movements.

Kabuki theater uses brilliantly colored costumes, songs, and dances. Bunraku uses puppets to entertain audiences.

Life in Japan (cont.)

The Japanese also enjoy movies.
Several Japanese directors have won global fame for their work, and the newer anime, the Japanese style of animation, is popular among young people worldwide.

South Korea
The Republic of South Korea, or South Korea, is on the southern end of the Korean Peninsula, which juts out from northern China between the Sea of Japan (East Sea) and the Yellow Sea.
Korean culture has been strongly influenced by China, and both Confucianism and Buddhism spread to Korea from China.

South Korea (cont.)

Koreans also adapted Chinese cultures. Koreans modified a type of Chinese pottery called celadon by changing the color and cutting designs into the pots.
In addition, Korea originally used the Chinese writing system that has thousands of characters, but in the 1400s, they produced hangul, a system using only 28 symbols.

South Korea (cont.)

Japan conquered Korea in 1910 and governed until World War II.
After World War II, Korea became divided.

The Communist Soviet Union took over northern Korea and America occupied the southern half of the country.
Eventually Korea was divided along the 38th parallel, or line of latitude.

South Korea (cont.)

In 1950 North Korea attacked South Korea in an effort to unite all of Korea under Communist rule. United Nations countries led by the United States rushed to South Koreas defense. This began the Korean War, which finally ended in 1953 without a victory for either side.

South Korea (cont.)

After the war, North Korea and South Korea were separated by a 2.5-mile wide demilitarized zone (DMZ). Both sides agree not to place any soldiers or weapons in the DMZ.
Although the two Koreas have tried to settle their differences, relations between them remain tense.

South Korea (cont.)

After the Korean War, South Koreas leaders set out to rebuild the countrys economy. The government introduced land reform, a policy that broke up large estates into smaller family farms. The government also supplied fertilizer to help make the land more productive.

South Korea (cont.)

With the goal of making South Korea an industrial country, leaders borrowed money from foreign banks to create industries that produced textiles, iron and steel, cars, ships, and electronic goods that were sold abroad, earning enough money to repay the loans.

South Korea (cont.)

For many years, the government exported most goods made in South Korea and kept workers wages low, but in the 1980s, wages increased. More goods were made available in South Korea, resulting in a higher standard of living. Due to industrialization many rural people have moved to cities such as Seoul, the capital; Taegu, a manufacturing center; and the ports of Inchn and Pusan.

South Korea (cont.)

Buddhism, Confucianism, and Christianity are South Koreas major religions.
South Koreas tradition of martial arts includes tae kwon do, which emphasizes mental discipline as well as self-defense. Traditional South Korean holidays include Chuseok, the fall harvest festival.

North Korea
North Korea, on the northern end of the Korea Peninsula, is the Communist country officially titled the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, referred to as North Korea. Since it was formed in 1948, North Korea has been ruled by Communist dictators. Kim Il Sung became North Koreas first ruler in the late 1940s.

After Kims death in 1994, his son Kim Jong Il became the ruler.

North Korea (cont.)

The North Korean government places the needs of the Communist system over the needs of its citizens. It controls all areas of life in North Korea, and people have few freedoms.
In addition, the government makes travel into and out of the country difficult.

North Korea (cont.)

In 2006 North Korea exploded a nuclear weapon.
The United States, South Korea, and others have urged North Korea to give up becoming a nuclear power, but the country claims the right to build nuclear weapons for self-defense.

In 2007, this controversy seemed to be resolved when North Korea agreed to gradually shut down its nuclear reactors.

North Korea (cont.)

North Korea is economically poor. Coal and iron ore are plentiful, but industries suffer from old equipment and power outages.
Another reason for North Koreas poverty is that its Communist rulers devote many resources to the military.

North Korea (cont.)

Poverty is widespread throughout North Korea.
The infant mortality rate in North Korea is four times higher than in South Korea.

Because of harsh conditions, tens of thousands of people have left the country, mainly to go to China.

North Korea (cont.)

North Koreas leaders ended private ownership of land and created large, government-owned farms, which have proven to be unproductive, so the country must import food.
In some years, the government refused to accept food aid from world relief organizations, and many people died.

North Korea (cont.)

North Koreas government also controls industry.
The countrys chief products are iron and steel, chemicals, and textiles.

North Korea also makes military weapons, some of which it sells to other countries.

Mainland Southeast Asia

In Myanmar, formerly called Burma, about two-thirds of the countrys people farm.
The main crops are rice, sugarcane, beans, and peanuts. Myanmar exports wood products, gas, teakwood, beans, rice, and precious gems, such as rubies, sapphires, and jade.

Over harvesting of Myanmars forests has resulted in deforestation.

Mainland Southeast Asia (cont.)

About 70 percent of Myanmars people live in rural areas.
The most densely populated area of the country is the Irrawaddy River valley.

Myanmars capital and largest city is Yangon, once known as Rangoon. Buddhism is the main religion.

Mainland Southeast Asia (cont.)

Myanmar became an independent republic in 1948 and since then has been a socialist country in which the government runs the economy.
No criticism of government policies is allowed.

Mainland Southeast Asia (cont.)

Thailand, known as Siam until the 1900s, is the only Southeast Asian country that has never been a European colony. Thailands mostly Buddhist people trace their independence back to the A.D. 1200s.

Mainland Southeast Asia (cont.)

The majority of Thais live in rural villages, although thousands look for jobs in Bangkok, Thailands capital. Thailands economy benefits from tourism and the export of tin, tungsten, precious gems, and rubber. Thailand has attracted foreign investors to build industries producing textiles, clothing, cars, and computer parts.

Mainland Southeast Asia (cont.)

Malaysia lies on the southern end of the Malay Peninsula and also on part of the island of Borneo. Malaysias exports include palm oil, rubber, tin, and valuable woods, textiles, electronic goods, and cars.

Mainland Southeast Asia (cont.)

Its cities, such as the capital, Kuala Lumpur, are now important centers of trade and industry for Southeast Asia. Most of Malaysias people belong to the Malay ethnic group and practice Islam.

Mainland Southeast Asia (cont.)

Laos, on Southeast Asias mainland, is an economically poor country.
Most people live in rural areas and grow food along the fertile banks of the Mekong River. Industry is undeveloped because of isolation and years of civil war. The Communist government discourages religion, but Buddhism remains strong.

Mainland Southeast Asia (cont.)

Cambodias capital, Phnom Penh, lies on the Mekong River, as does the ancient city of Angkor. Not far from Angkor sits Angkor Wat, a complex of temples that is an architectural treasure.

Mainland Southeast Asia (cont.)

In 1975 Communist rebels took control of Cambodia, eventually killing 2 million people and leaving the country poor and in ruins.
Most Cambodians are Buddhists and live by growing rice. To rebuild the economy, Cambodias leaders hope to develop a tourist industry.

Mainland Southeast Asia (cont.)

Most Vietnamese live in rural villages, but Vietnams cities, such as Ho Chi Minh Cityformerly Saigonand the capital of Hanoi, are growing.

Mainland Southeast Asia (cont.)

Vietnams important exports include coal, petroleum, rubber, tobacco, tea, coffee, shrimp, fish, and several metals. Farmers in the countrys fertile delta areas grow enough rice to feed Vietnam and to ship abroad. Vietnams warm climate and natural beauty are attracting a growing number of tourists.

Mainland Southeast Asia (cont.)

Vietnam has enjoyed some economic growth, but its economy has been held back by government policies and wars and it remains poor.
Its Communist rulers must find a way to combat inflation, attract more foreign investors, and build a modern transportation system.

Island Southeast Asia

Indonesia is Southeast Asias largest country in land area and population.
Brunei is the areas smallest country in both categories.

Island Southeast Asia (cont.)

Indonesia is an archipelago of thousands of islands.
Sumatra, Java, and Celebes are the major islands.

Indonesia also shares the islands of Borneo and Timor with other countries.

Island Southeast Asia (cont.)

Indonesia has many active volcanoes and earthquakes.
An undersea earthquake off the shore of Sumatra in late 2004 launched a huge tsunami that struck Indonesia and other countries bordering the Indian Ocean, leaving as many as 200,000 dead in Indonesia alone.

Island Southeast Asia (cont.)

Such disasters take a heavy toll because Indonesia is one of the worlds most densely populated countries, with more than 220 million peoplethe fourth-largest population in the world.
More than half the people live on the island of Java, which includes the capital, Jakarta.

Island Southeast Asia (cont.)

Indonesia has large reserves of oil and natural gas and mines of tin, silver, nickel, copper, bauxite, and gold. Dense rain forests provide valuable woods, although the countrys mangrove forests are threatened by over harvesting. Mangroves are tropical trees that grow along coasts and help maintain the health of coastal environments.

Island Southeast Asia (cont.)

Many Indonesians still make a living by the farming of rice, cassava, sweet potatoes, and corn. Rubber trees, oil palms, tea, and coffee provide exports.
Tourism has become an important industry.

Island Southeast Asia (cont.)

Indonesia became independent in 1949 and today has a democratic government, although it has difficulty uniting the country.
Most Indonesians are Muslims, but they live on scattered islands and belong to different ethnic groups. The government worries about calls for independence from some of these groups.

Island Southeast Asia (cont.)

On the northern coast of Borneo lies the small nation of Brunei with only about 400,000 people. Brunei has grown wealthy by building its economy on its large oil and gas reserves, but its economy suffers when world prices fall.
Brunei depends on imports to provide almost all of its food and manufactured goods.

Island Southeast Asia (cont.)

East Timor, with about 800,000 people, lies on the eastern half of the island of Timor and is Southeast Asias newest country, having gained independence from Indonesia in 2002.
Most of its people farm, but the government hopes to develop its oil and natural gas deposits.

Island Southeast Asia (cont.)

The Philippines is made up of about 7,000 islands in the South China Sea.
Volcanic mountains dominate many of these islands.

Island Southeast Asia (cont.)

Rice, sugarcane, bananas, and coconuts are grown for export.
Farmers use a technique called terraced fields, or strips of land cut out of a hillside like stair steps, which increase the amount of land that can be farmed and prevent soil from washing down the mountainside when it rains.

Island Southeast Asia (cont.)

The Philippines has rich deposits of gold, iron ore, cooper, lead, and zinc.
Deforestation has removed most of the valuable trees.

Island Southeast Asia (cont.)

Manila, the capital, is a large commercial center where factory workers produce electronic goods, food products, chemicals, and clothing.
About 90 percent of Filipinos follow the Roman Catholic religion.