Study Notes: Change in People’s Life and Overall National Strength

Hey everyone! Welcome to your study notes for a super important topic: "Change in people’s life and overall national strength". This chapter is all about the incredible transformation of our country, China, since it began its famous Reform and Opening-up policy.

Why is this important? Because understanding this journey helps us understand modern China, its connection with Hong Kong, and its role in the world today. It's a story of amazing growth and change that affects all of us. Let's break it down together!


The Big Bang: What is 'Reform and Opening-up'?

Imagine a country deciding to press a giant "reset" button on its economy. That's kind of what China did in 1978. Before this, the economy was very planned and closed off from the rest of the world. The decision to "Reform and Open up" was a turning point that changed everything.

The "Three-Step" Master Plan

The government didn't just dive in without a plan. They created a roadmap called the “three-step development strategy”. Think of it like levelling up in a video game:

  • Step 1: Solve Basic Needs. The first goal was to make sure everyone had enough food and clothing (wenbao 温饱). This was about solving the problem of poverty so people didn't have to worry about basic survival.
  • Step 2: Achieve Moderate Prosperity. The next goal was to build a “moderately prosperous society” (xiaokang 小康). This meant people’s lives would become much more comfortable, with better housing, education, and healthcare.
  • Step 3: Become a Modern, Prosperous Nation. The final goal is to become a fully developed and prosperous country by the middle of the 21st century, with a high quality of life for all citizens.
Key Strategies That Made It Happen

So, how did China achieve these huge goals? By using some very smart and practical strategies:

  • A Change in Mindset: The biggest change was a shift to pragmatism. Instead of sticking rigidly to old ideas, the focus became "what works best" to improve the economy and people's lives.
  • Focus on Economic Development: The country’s main priority became growing the economy. Everything was geared towards this central task.
  • "Let some people get rich first": This was a famous idea. The thinking was, if some people (and some areas) are allowed to succeed first, they can then help others to catch up. The ultimate goal was always to achieve common prosperity for everyone.
  • Special Economic Zones (SEZs): Think of these as special "testing labs" for new economic ideas. Cities like Shenzhen were set up as SEZs where foreign companies could invest and market-based ideas could be tried out. Because they were so successful, these ideas were later used across the whole country.
  • Creating a Socialist Market Economy: This might sound complicated, but it's just a mix. It means the government sets the overall direction and goals (the "socialist" part), but it uses market forces like competition, supply, and demand to run the economy (the "market economy" part).

Key Takeaway: The Reform and Opening-up was a massive shift that began in 1978. It used a clear "three-step" plan and practical strategies like SEZs and a socialist market economy to focus on economic growth and improve people's lives.


A Better Life: How People's Quality of Life Improved

All those big strategies we just talked about had a huge, direct impact on the daily lives of hundreds of millions of people. The enhancement in the quality of life has been one of the most incredible parts of this story.

Measuring the Change

Let's look at the specific ways life has improved, as outlined in your syllabus:

  • Income: People's salaries and wages have increased dramatically. Many families moved from earning just enough to survive to having disposable income – extra money they can spend on things they want, not just need.
  • Mode of Consumption: This is about what people buy. Decades ago, a family's budget was almost all for food. Now, people spend money on smartphones, cars, travel, entertainment, and better housing. The rise of online shopping platforms like Taobao has also completely changed how people consume goods.
  • Educational Level: The government invested heavily in education. The literacy rate has soared, and many more people now have the chance to attend university than ever before.
  • Standard of Medical Care: People now have access to better hospitals, more advanced medical technology, and a wider range of medicines.
  • Life Expectancy: As a result of better nutrition and medical care, people are living much longer and healthier lives.
  • Poverty Eradication: This is a monumental achievement. The country has successfully lifted hundreds of millions of its citizens out of extreme poverty, a feat unmatched in human history.

Did you know? China is responsible for over 70% of the global reduction in poverty over the last few decades. This shows the massive scale of the changes in people's quality of life!

Key Takeaway: The Reform and Opening-up has led to massive, measurable improvements in people's quality of life across the board – from income and education to health and life expectancy, culminating in the historic achievement of poverty eradication.


A Nation Transformed: The Rise in Overall National Strength

It wasn't just individual lives that were transformed; the country as a whole became much stronger. We call this the Overall National Strength, which is the combined power and influence of a country in many different areas.

Memory Aid: The Pillars of National Strength

To remember the different parts of national strength, think of the word "C-E-N-T-E-D".

  • C - Culture
  • E - Economy
  • N - Natural Resources
  • T - Technology
  • E - Education
  • D - Defence
Breaking Down National Strength (C-E-N-T-E-D)
  • Culture: China's cultural influence has grown globally. This includes everything from the international popularity of Chinese films and TV shows to the establishment of cultural centres around the world.
  • Economy: This is the most obvious one! China has grown to become the world's second-largest economy and a global manufacturing hub.
  • Natural Resources: The country has focused on better managing and using its natural resources, like energy and minerals, to power its development.
  • Technology: From a follower to a leader! China is now at the forefront of many high-tech fields, such as high-speed rail, 5G technology, mobile payments, and space exploration.
  • Education: The focus on education has created a huge pool of skilled workers, engineers, and scientists, which fuels technological and economic growth.
  • National Defence: The country has modernised its military to safeguard its sovereignty and national interests.
Quick Review Box

Remember C-E-N-T-E-D for Overall National Strength:
Culture, Economy, Natural Resources, Technology, Education, Defence. These are the key areas where our country's strength has grown.

Key Takeaway: China's rise is not just economic. Its Overall National Strength has been enhanced across multiple areas, including technology, culture, and education, making it a major influential power on the world stage.


Final Summary

You've done great getting through this! The story of China since 1978 is all about the link between the Reform and Opening-up policies, the massive improvement in people's daily lives, and the huge enhancement of the country's Overall National Strength. The key is to see how the smart strategies led to real-world results, both for individuals and the nation as a whole. Keep reviewing these points, and you'll have a solid grasp of this important chapter. You've got this!