M3

Modern China Theme 1 Reform and Opening

1. Deng’s socialist vision: Development is the iron
5. Social conflicts and harmonious society
principle. Adding market elements to the socialist
(a) Wealth disparity (poverty alleviation, unfairness,
economic system, let part of the people get rich first, anti-rich sentiment, Gini coefficient, “letting some
three-step plan, from idealism to pragmatism regions and some people prosper first and gradually
Values: Socialism/communism/public ownership/planned achieving common prosperity”), (b) regional
economy/ VS Capitalism/private ownership/ Market difference, (c) three big mountains (education,
economy/export-oriented economy health care, housing), (d) land exploitation, (e)
Employment (laid off workers), (f) environmental
2. Rural problems: Sannong issue, agriculture, rural protection
areas, farmers, agriculture lack competitiveness,
farmers poorly educated, low income à abolishing Education level increases, people have a greater
agricultural tax, new socialist countryside à still awareness of their rights and interests, Internet has
have other problems such as polluted farmland, become more popular, information spreads fast
depleted agricultural resources, children elderly left
behind, agricultural technology. à Mass incidents, such as demonstrations, protests,
petitions and sit-ins, surrounding and storming
3. Urbanisation: agricultural society, industrial and government departments.
service-led society and high-tech enterprise,
recruiting rural people, 54.8 % in 2014,
6. Heritage conservation: when the government or
Pros: cheap labour, enhance their training in organisations regulate, protect and manage items
vocational skills, better living conditions, higher with cultural value e.g. architecture, monuments,
income folk utensils and artwork, involves the use of public
funds and social resources
Cons: urban diseases, population explosion, traffic
congestion, soaring housing prices, environmental Challenges: boost tourism, low heritage
pollution, and strain on resources such as water and conservation awareness, environmental pollution,
land priority over economic development

4. Urban problems: Population mobility/Household Significance: economic benefit, national identity and
registration system/migrant workers: Employment, social cohesion, soft power, cultural significance.
making wage deductions, owing wages and refusing passing the Chinese civilisation of different ethnic
to pay wages to migrant workers; educational groups to the future generations
opportunities, housing ownership, access to social
welfare and security; left-behind group, rural labor Solution: Education, public campaign, tightening the
shortage. economically accepted, socially heritage conservation law, set up monitoring
discriminated, culturally excluded and institutionally mechanism, application to UNESCO (more income).
restricted, social justice, discrimination
Intangible cultural heritage: It is of historical, cultural
and artistic value, as it records the ways of life and
thinking specific to different areas, villages and race.
E.g. Oral traditions and expression, Performing arts,
Social practices, rituals and festive events,
Traditional arts and crafts, Kunqu Opera




7. Diplomatic relationship: 8. Overall national strength is the sum of all the
(+) Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence: mutual forces and resources which a sovereign state relies
non-aggression, non-interference in each other’s on for survival and development à global
internal affairs, respect for sovereignty and influence, global reaction, global image, Belt and
territorial integrity, equality and mutual benefit, Road initiative
“peaceful development”, shoulder more
international obligation, global responsibility, Hard power describes physical strength in terms of
establish beneficial collaboration. demography, economy, military, resources,
technological development; but soft power is the
(-) China’s threat theory: Economic threat, military intangible spiritual powers that can influence other
threat (territorial disputes), Cultural/civilization countries, such as political values, cultural appeal
threat, environmental threat (coal consumption and and foreign policy, Confucius institutes.
GHGs),
Education level that reflects the quality of the
population (e.g. literacy rate, enrolment ratios,
expenditure on education), health care (e.g. average
life expectancy, the number of medical facilities and
fitness of nationals) à also contribute China’s
overall national strength.






























M3 Modern China Theme 2 Chinese Family values
Family refers to a unit formed by a group of people 3. Modern Chinese family
who are connected by blood, marriage or adoption DINK, 4-2-1 family, empty nest family, cohabitation
to share the responsibility of childbearing and taking
care of each other. 4. Challenges of traditional concepts of family
Individualism, collectivism, equality,
1. Characteristics of traditional family authoritarianism, materialism, spiritualism.
- Living together in clans
- Early marriage, and early childbearing; More 5. ***Changes in traditional family patterns in
children, more blessings, rearing children for old modern life e.g. alienation among family members;
age loose ties; sharing of leisure rather than of
- Relationship among members: patriarchy and production; emotional support rather than inherited
father-son axis, male-dominance, inhertiance status; communication / division of labour rather
- The system of sharing properties among clan than authority status; decline in the function of
members socialisation; single lifestyles, late marriages and a
- Strictly abide by ceremonial rites, Marriage and low birth rate; an increase in mobility; immense
ethics regional differences; the weakening of marriage
- Emphasize family dignity and prestige, Filial concepts, morals and ethics
piety, Emphasis on seniority, emphasis on
ancestral worship, 6. New trends related to family: Family planning
policy, 2-child policy, use of contraceptive methods,
2. Function of traditional family the treatment of infertility, Ageing population,
Socialization/education (passing life skills, social Gender imbalance, Family and social problem,
norms, moral values, Confucian values and manners Household registration system
to next generation), economic function, religious
function, continuity of ancestral lineage and clan,
emotional support, leisure and welfare






















M3 Modern China Theme 2 Chinese custom (highly related to cultural globalization)
Customs refer to conventional guidelines and Changes in Chinese custom
norms, agreed, shared behavior and roles that - Technological factors (online worshipping, using
gradually develop in a community, including skype to visit overseas friends and family, use
clothing, food, shelter, transportation, culture, electronic red packet à virtual participation lack
religion, arts, festivals. face to face contact)
- Globalization (Valentine’s Day and Christmas,
Custom =/= festival Halloween)
- Commercialization
Tradition is a combination of ideas, morals, rules, - Superstition-oriented à emphasis on scientific
customs and arts that have been passed down from mindset
generation to generation. - Emphasis on tradition à environmental
sustainability
Students should know the cultural meaning - Emphasis on ritual and formality à practical
reflected in traditional customs and how they are use/simplification
inherited, transformed, valued or neglected.
Example 1 Hungry Ghost Festival
Functions of traditional Chinese custom: the traditional Chinese version of “Halloween,
- Social cohesion and identity, people’s sense of reflecting the reverence and awe for gods or spirits
belonging, real-life interaction among the public. The opera dedicated to the gods
- Socialization and spirits (神功戲) and distribution of “Safety Rice
- Consumption/ Entertainment (平安米)” serve the purpose of promoting the
- Worshipping great people in the past. cohesion among various sectors of society.

Examples: Lunar New Year, Ching Ming Festival, Example 2 Green burial
Dragon Boat festival, mid-autumn festival, Cheung Support: respect for ancestors, against filial piety,
Chau Bun Festival, Marriage ceremonies, Three family unity, family cohesion, family bonding,
letters and six etiquettes, traditional burial, Tai Hang education and family heritage, formality, rituals,
Fire Dragon Dance, Fortune-telling in Wong Tai Sin affect the reborn of the deceased
Green burial can also allow deceased returning to the
nature.
Green burial allows people to pay tribute to ancestors
and remember their ancestors anywhere and anytime.

Against: Cater for needs of modern society,
convenience, efficiency, accessibility, harmony
between human and nature
Green burial may affect the reborn of the deceased.
Green burial is against family unity.
Green burial is against filial piety.