Teachers Guide - China In The Red | Teacher Center | FRONTLINE

		Home A Note to Teachers

		Pre-Viewing Lesson Plans A Blending of Socialism and Capitalism Meeting the People

		During-Viewing Lesson Plan Watching the People

		Post-Viewing Activities What Happened? Globalization and a Changing Society Literature as a Window Into Culture I Literature as a Window Into Culture II

		Resources

		Background Summary of China's Economy Glossary

		Student Assignment Sheets A Brief Overview of China Economic Giants The People Meeting the People Viewing Chart Literature Comparison Chart

Changes toward capitalism began under the leadership of Deng Xiaoping (1979-1997), when China opened its doors to international trade and economic reform.
Socialism was blended with a free-market economy and agricultural collectives were disbanded, allowing peasants to profit from the portion of their production that was designated as surplus.
Regions were selected as special economic zones to encourage foreign investment and technology and to increase Chinese exports.
The economic reforms of China have been seen as an entrepreneurial revolution paradoxically created by a communist government.
However, progress in state-owned enterprises has not been as fast as the government would like. On Sept. 12, 1997, President Jiang Zemin opened the 15th Party Congress with the announcement that there still are thousands of unprofitable state industries.
President Jiang Zemin proposed eliminating state companies that were not making a profit within three years. His goal was to convert most of China's 305,000 state companies into shareholder-owned corporations