History UsefulNotes / ToGetRichIsGlorious

All of this, though, has led to a rather contentious debate (rather more muted within China, often rather loud outside of it) as to whether or not the PRC can actually be considered "Socialist" or "Communist" any longer. While the CCP maintains a one-party state pretty rigidly outside of Hong Kong, the economic reforms have come to lead to the creation of a fairly substantial middle-class bourgeoisie - to the point where having that group at specific, growing size ''became integral part of economic and demographic plans'' all the way until 2050 - and even a significant number of billionaires - conditions unthinkable in Mao's time, and the existence of the billionaires in particular tends to drive many traditional Socialists, both in and out of China, absolutely bananas (since the total, non-negotiable destruction of the ''haute bourgeoisie'' is usually accepted as a core tenet of Marxist theory). In the same time, many of the basic social programs from Mao era were dismantled throughout the [=80s=], and by late [=90s=] even the iconic [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_rice_bowl iron rice bowl]] was gone, ''without'' introducing any replacements, but simply cutting down on expenses related to social security for many years. Proponents of the system point to both the absolute explosion of literacy, educational attainment, and rising living standards for China as a whole, as well as the widely available and non-privatized medical system, as points that the nation is still very much Socialist in character. Critics often then counter with examples of poverty holes or worker exploitation (another theoretical anathema of Marxism) and economic abandonment of minorities, and, well... needless to say, [[FlameBait it all gets rather heated the further into the debate one goes]], so [[Administrivia/RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgment it is probably good to leave the entry at that]] and a curious reader may research further on their own.

Despite the disaster of the Great Leap Forward and the UsefulNotes/CulturalRevolution, Mao was able to remain in power until his death in 1976. While major economic reforms did not begin until after his death, Mao began opening China in 1972 when he and President Nixon restored diplomatic relations between the US and the PRC. Immediately after his death, Mao's wife Jiang Qing attempted to maintain control and undermine Mao's official successor, Hua Guofeng, together with three close associates known as the "Gang of Four." The power struggle was short. Less than a month later all four were arrested and later sentenced to lengthy prison sentences, with Jiang Qing herself committing suicide. During the trial the four were accused of political abuses and the persecutions of 750,000 people, including ~35,000 deaths. It was during this trial that Jiang Qing said, "I was Chairman Mao's dog. I bit whomever he asked me to bite." While acknowledging Chairman Mao's "great contributions," the Chief Prosecutor stated Mao nevertheless bore some responsibility for the "plight" of the people during his tenure. It would be the closest China would come to justice for the Cultural Revolution.

All of this, though, has led to a rather contentious debate (rather more muted within China, often rather loud outside of it) as to whether or not the PRC can actually be considered "Socialist" or "Communist" any longer. While the CCP maintains a one-party state pretty rigidly outside of Hong Kong, the economic reforms have come to lead to the creation of a fairly substantial middle-class bourgeoisie - to the point where having that group at specific, growing size ''became integral part of economic and demographic plans'' all the way until 2050 - and even a significant number of billionaires - conditions unthinkable in Mao's time, and the existence of the billionaires in particular tends to drive many traditional Socialists, both in and out of China, absolutely bananas (since the total, non-negotiable destruction of the ''haute bourgeoisie'' is usually accepted as a core tenet of Marxist theory). In the same time, many of the basic social programs from Mao era were dismantled throughout the [=80s=], most famously the iconic [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_rice_bowl iron rice bowl]], ''without'' introducing any replacements, but simply cutting down on their expenses for many years. Proponents of the system point to both the absolute explosion of literacy, educational attainment, and rising living standards for China as a whole, as well as the widely available and non-privatized medical system, as points that the nation is still very much Socialist in character. Critics often then counter with examples of poverty holes or worker exploitation (another theoretical anathema of Marxism) and economic abandonment of minorities, and, well... needless to say, [[FlameBait it all gets rather heated the further into the debate one goes]], so [[Administrivia/RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgment it is probably good to leave the entry at that]] and a curious reader may research further on their own.

All of this, though, has led to a rather contentious debate (rather more muted within China, often rather loud outside of it) as to whether or not the PRC can actually be considered "Socialist" or "Communist" any longer. While the CCP maintains a one-party state pretty rigidly outside of Hong Kong, the economic reforms have come to lead to the creation of a fairly substantial middle-class bourgeoisie - to the point where having that group at specific, growing size ''became integral part of economic and demographic plans'' all the way until 2050 - and even a significant number of billionaires - conditions unthinkable in Mao's time, and the existence of the billionaires in particular tends to drive many traditional Socialists, both in and out of China, absolutely bananas (since the total, non-negotiable destruction of the ''haute bourgeoisie'' is usually accepted as a core tenet of Marxist theory). In the same time, many of the basic social programs from Mao era were dismantheld throughout the [=80s=], most famously the iconic [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_rice_bowl iron rice bowl]], ''without'' introducing any replacements, but simply cutting down on their expenses for many years. Proponents of the system point to both the absolute explosion of literacy, educational attainment, and rising living standards for China as a whole, as well as the widely available and non-privatized medical system, as points that the nation is still very much Socialist in character. Critics often then counter with examples of poverty holes or worker exploitation (another theoretical anathema of Marxism) and economic abandonment of minorities, and, well... needless to say, [[FlameBait it all gets rather heated the further into the debate one goes]], so [[Administrivia/RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgment it is probably good to leave the entry at that]] and a curious reader may research further on their own.

Perhaps most striking were China's new "Special Economic Zones." These were cities, mostly along China's coast, which would be opened up to direct foreign investment. These zones included lower wages and taxes, among other reduced regulations in order to be especially attractive to foreign investors. The focus would be on light industry producing products for export. Subsequently these regions would experience stunning economic growth, helping fuel the rest of China's economy. (In an uncomfortable historical coincidence, many of these cities are the very same which were forcibly opened to western investment by European imperialism in the 19th and early 20th centuries - a source of resentment for many Chinese.)

Reforms continued apace, even after Deng Xiaoping's death. Today China has largely privatized, with almost all former state enterprises, with a few exceptions, now in private hands. Since the late '70s China's economy exploded, surpassing Japan in 2010 to become the 2nd largest economy in the world - with many now seeing the #1 spot not beyond its reach. China's export-driven focus paid dividends, having since become "the world's factory." Turn over your mouse or keyboard. Look under your desk, lamp, or chair. Check your bowl or mug. Odds are almost certain at least one of those things (if not more or even most) were made in China.

All of this, though, has led to a rather contentious debate (rather more muted within China, often rather loud outside of it) as to whether or not the PRC can actually be considered "Socialist" or "Communist" any longer. While the CCP maintains a one-party state pretty rigidly outside of Hong Kong, the economic reforms have come to lead to the creation of a fairly substantial middle-class bourgeoisie and even a significant number of billionaires - conditions unthinkable in Mao's time, and the existence of the billionaires in particular tends to drive many traditional Socialists, both in and out of China, absolutely bananas (since the total, non-negotiable destruction of the ''haute bourgeoisie'' is usually accepted as a core tenet of Marxist theory). Proponents of the system point to both the absolute explosion of literacy, educational attainment, and rising living standards for China as a whole, as well as the widely available and non-privatized medical system, as points that the nation is still very much Socialist in character. Critics often then counter with examples of poverty holes or worker exploitation (another theoretical anathema of Marxism) and economic abandonment of minorities, and, well... needless to say, [[FlameBait it all gets rather heated the further into the debate one goes]], so [[Administrivia/RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgment it is probably good to leave the entry at that]] and a curious reader may research further on their own.

In 2013, UsefulNotes/XiJinping[[note]]with help from Li Wei, former secretary of former premier Zhu Rongji, and Liu He, a veteran 'liberal' reformer who serves as the key economic adviser to Xi Jinping[[/note]] developed a plan of measures known as the [[http://www.cnbc.com/id/101173066 "383 Plan"]], which will involve [[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24803431 a greater opening of the market, some transformations in the government and a reformation of enterprises in order to boost innovation on various levels]]. The eight key areas to tackle are: cutting administrative approvals, promoting competition, land reform, opening up banking including the liberalisation of interest rates and the exchange rate, reforming the fiscal system including setting up basic social security, reforming state-owned enterprises, promoting innovation including green technology, and opening up the services sector. Within these, the plan identifies three major breakthroughs to be achieved: lower market barriers to attract investors and boost competition, setting up a basic social security package, and allowing collectively-owned land to be traded. With this, the government hopes to diminish inequality, inefficiency and the enormous levels of corruption. Internationally, China has undertaken developing the "Belt and Road Initiative", whereby through investment and economic cooperation with Eurasian and African nations China hopes to establish a transcontinental network of cargo rails and ocean routes, with China at its heart, essentially creating a modern [[UsefulNotes/TheSilkRoad Silk Road]]. Adding to this is an "Ice Silk Road", working with {{UsefulNotes/Russia}} to develop Arctic shipping routes. Proponents of this plan laud it for its goal of improving the infrastructure of the often neglected countries of Africa, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia and bringing them more to the forefront of international trade. Detractors of the plan call it little more than neo-colonialism, as these nations go deep into debt with China and the aforementioned infrastructure mega-projects are heavily controlled by the Chinese government. Also, China could incur massive losses from these investments as situations in some of these countries may end up with China burdening the debts itself and Chinese officials are already voicing concerns.

It would seem that China had a shift in principle from Deng's China 'keeping to itself' to Xi's China taking a proactive stance in the global stage. In 2018, the term limits for President and Vice President of the People's Republic of China were abolished. (The President is a figurehead position; however, the president is usually also the Chief Secretary of the Communist Party and the chairman of the Military Commission, which did not have term limits.) It also started implementing the Social Credit System, which is kind of like driving point system, but applies to one's social reputation and penalties include public blacklisting and refusal of business services and applications. With UsefulNotes/XiJinping the government is tightening controls, moreso than previously. What is currently known of the politics within CCP is that there are cliques such as Tsinghua clique and the New Zhijiang Army.

It would seem that China had a shift in principle from Deng's China 'keeping to itself' to Xi's China taking a proactive stance in the global stage. In 2018, the term limits for President and Vice President of the People's Republic of China were abolished. (The President is a figurehead position; however, the president is usually also the Chief Secretary of the Communist Party and the chairman of the Military Commission, which did not have term limits.) It also started implementing the Social Credit System, which is kind of like driving point system, but applies to one's social reputation and penalties include public blacklisting and refusal of business services and applications. With UsefulNotes/XiJinping the government is tightening controls, moreso than previously.

It would seem that China had a shift in principle from Deng's China 'keeping to itself' to Xi's China taking a proactive stance in the global stage. In 2018, the term limits for President and Vice President of the People's Republic of China were abolished. (The President is a figurehead position; however, the president is usually also the Chief Secretary of the Communist Party and the chairman of the Military Commission, which did not have term limits.) It also started implementing the Social Credit System, which is kind of like driving point system, but applies to one's social reputation and penalties include public blacklisting and refusal of business services and applications. With XiJinping the government is tightening controls over all aspects of the Chinese.

In 2013, UsefulNotes/XiJinping[[note]]with help from Li Wei, former secretary of former premier Zhu Rongji, and Liu He, a veteran 'liberal' reformer who serves as the key economic adviser to Xi Jinping[[/note]] developed a plan of measures known as the [[http://www.cnbc.com/id/101173066 "383 Plan"]], which will involve [[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24803431 a greater opening of the market, some transformations in the government and a reformation of enterprises in order to boost innovation on various levels]]. The eight key areas to tackle are: cutting administrative approvals, promoting competition, land reform, opening up banking including the liberalisation of interest rates and the exchange rate, reforming the fiscal system including setting up basic social security, reforming state-owned enterprises, promoting innovation including green technology, and opening up the services sector. Within these, the plan identifies three major breakthroughs to be achieved: lower market barriers to attract investors and boost competition, setting up a basic social security package, and allowing collectively-owned land to be traded. With this, the government hopes to diminish inequality, inefficiency and the enormous levels of corruption. Internationally, China has undertaken developing the "Belt and Road Initiative", whereby through investment and economic cooperation with Eurasian and African nations China hopes to establish a transcontinental network of cargo rails and ocean routes, with China at its heart, essentially creating a modern [[UsefulNotes/TheSilkRoad Silk Road]]. Adding to this is an "Ice Silk Road", working with {{UsefulNotes/Russia}} to develop Arctic shipping routes. Proponents of this plan laud it for its goal of improving the infrastructure of the often neglected countries of Africa, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia and bringing them more to the forefront of international trade. Detractors of the plan call it little more than neo-colonialism, as these nations go deep into debt with China and the aforementioned infrastructure mega-projects are heavily controlled by the Chinese government.

In 2018, the term limits for President and Vice President of the People's Republic of China were abolished. (The President is a figurehead position; however, the president is usually also the Chief Secretary of the Communist Party and the chairman of the Military Commission, which did not have term limits.) It also started implementing the Social Credit System, which is kind of like driving point system, but applies to one's social reputation and penalties include public blacklisting and refusal of business services and applications.

In 2013, UsefulNotes/XiJinping[[note]]with help from Li Wei, former secretary of former premier Zhu Rongji, and Liu He, a veteran 'liberal' reformer who serves as the key economic adviser to Xi Jinping[[/note]] developed a plan of measures known as the [[http://www.cnbc.com/id/101173066 "383 Plan"]], which will involve [[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24803431 a greater opening of the market, some transformations in the government and a reformation of enterprises in order to boost innovation on various levels]]. The eight key areas to tackle are: cutting administrative approvals, promoting competition, land reform, opening up banking including the liberalisation of interest rates and the exchange rate, reforming the fiscal system including setting up basic social security, reforming state-owned enterprises, promoting innovation including green technology, and opening up the services sector. Within these, the plan identifies three major breakthroughs to be achieved: lower market barriers to attract investors and boost competition, setting up a basic social security package, and allowing collectively-owned land to be traded. With this, the government hopes to diminish inequality, inefficiency and the enormous levels of corruption. Internationally, China has undertaken developing the "Belt and Road Initiative", whereby through investment and economic cooperation with Eurasian and African nations China hopes to establish a transcontinental network of cargo rails and ocean routes, with China at its heart, essentially creating a modern [[UsefulNotes/TheSilkRoad Silk Roads]]. Adding to this is an "Ice Silk Road", working with {{UsefulNotes/Russia}} to develop Arctic shipping routes. Proponents of this plan laud it for its goal of improving the infrastructure of the often neglected countries of Africa, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia and bringing them more to the forefront of international trade. Detractors of the plan call it little more than neo-colonialism, as these nations go deep into debt with China and the aforementioned infrastructure mega-projects are heavily controlled by the Chinese government.

In 2013, UsefulNotes/XiJinping[[note]]with help from Li Wei, former secretary of former premier Zhu Rongji, and Liu He, a veteran 'liberal' reformer who serves as the key economic adviser to Xi Jinping[[/note]] developed a plan of measures known as the [[http://www.cnbc.com/id/101173066 "383 Plan"]], which will involve [[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24803431 a greater opening of the market, some transformations in the government and a reformation of enterprises in order to boost innovation on various levels]]. The eight key areas to tackle are: cutting administrative approvals, promoting competition, land reform, opening up banking including the liberalisation of interest rates and the exchange rate, reforming the fiscal system including setting up basic social security, reforming state-owned enterprises, promoting innovation including green technology, and opening up the services sector. Within these, the plan identifies three major breakthroughs to be achieved: lower market barriers to attract investors and boost competition, setting up a basic social security package, and allowing collectively-owned land to be traded. With this, the government hopes to diminish inequality, inefficiency and the enormous levels of corruption. Internationally, China has undertaken developing the "Belt and Road Initiative", whereby through economic cooperations with Eurasian nations to establish a transcontinental network of cargo rails as well as an ocean route across the Indian Ocean by setting up international ports and helping develop local infrastructure, essentially recreating modern [[UsefulNotes/TheSilkRoad Silk Roads]]. Adding to this is an "Ice Silk Road", working with {{UsefulNotes/Russia}} to develop Arctic shipping routes. Proponents of this plan laud it for its goal of improving the infrastructure of the often neglected countries of Africa, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia and bringing them more to the forefront of international trade. Detractors of the plan call it an attempt at neo-colonialism, as the aforementioned infrastructure mega-projects would be heavily controlled by the Chinese government.

In 2013, UsefulNotes/XiJinping[[note]]with help from Li Wei, former secretary of former premier Zhu Rongji, and Liu He, a veteran 'liberal' reformer who serves as the key economic adviser to Xi Jinping[[/note]] developed a plan of measures known as the [[http://www.cnbc.com/id/101173066 "383 Plan"]], which will involve [[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24803431 a greater opening of the market, some transformations in the government and a reformation of enterprises in order to boost innovation on various levels]]. The eight key areas to tackle are: cutting administrative approvals, promoting competition, land reform, opening up banking including the liberalisation of interest rates and the exchange rate, reforming the fiscal system including setting up basic social security, reforming state-owned enterprises, promoting innovation including green technology, and opening up the services sector. Within these, the plan identifies three major breakthroughs to be achieved: lower market barriers to attract investors and boost competition, setting up a basic social security package, and allowing collectively-owned land to be traded. With this, the government hopes to diminish inequality, inefficiency and the enormous levels of corruption. Internationally, China has undertaked developing the "Belt and Road Initiative", whereby through economic cooperations with Eurasian nations to establish a transcontinental network of cargo rails as well as an ocean route across the Indian Ocean by setting up international ports and helping develop local infrastructure, essentially recreating modern [[UsefulNotes/TheSilkRoad Silk Roads]]. Adding to this is an "Ice Silk Road", working with {{UsefulNotes/Russia}} to develop Arctic shipping routes. Proponents of this plan laud it for its goal of improving the infrastructure of the often neglected countries of Africa, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia and bringing them more to the forefront of international trade. Detractors of the plan call it an attempt at neo-colonialism, as the aforementioned infrastructure mega-projects would be heavily controlled by the Chinese government.

In 2013, Xi Jinping[[note]]with help from Li Wei, former secretary of former premier Zhu Rongji, and Liu He, a veteran 'liberal' reformer who serves as the key economic adviser to Xi Jinping[[/note]] developed a plan of measures known as the [[http://www.cnbc.com/id/101173066 "383 Plan"]], which will involve [[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24803431 a greater opening of the market, some transformations in the government and a reformation of enterprises in order to boost innovation on various levels]]. The eight key areas to tackle are: cutting administrative approvals, promoting competition, land reform, opening up banking including the liberalisation of interest rates and the exchange rate, reforming the fiscal system including setting up basic social security, reforming state-owned enterprises, promoting innovation including green technology, and opening up the services sector. Within these, the plan identifies three major breakthroughs to be achieved: lower market barriers to attract investors and boost competition, setting up a basic social security package, and allowing collectively-owned land to be traded. With this, the government hopes to diminish inequality, inefficiency and the enormous levels of corruption. Internationally, China has undertaked developing the "Belt and Road Initiative", whereby through economic cooperations with Eurasian nations to establish a transcontinental network of cargo rails as well as an ocean route across the Indian Ocean by setting up international ports and helping develop local infrastructure, essentially recreating modern [[UsefulNotes/TheSilkRoad Silk Roads]]. Adding to this is an "Ice Silk Road", working with {{UsefulNotes/Russia}} to develop Arctic shipping routes. Proponents of this plan laud it for its goal of improving the infrastructure of the often neglected countries of Africa, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia and bringing them more to the forefront of international trade. Detractors of the plan call it an attempt at neo-colonialism, as the aforementioned infrastructure mega-projects would be heavily controlled by the Chinese government.

In 2013, Xi Jinping[[note]]with help from Li Wei, former secretary of former premier Zhu Rongji, and Liu He, a veteran 'liberal' reformer who serves as the key economic adviser to Xi Jinping[[/note]] developed a plan of measures known as the [[http://www.cnbc.com/id/101173066 "383 Plan"]], which will involve [[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24803431 a greater opening of the market, some transformations in the government and a reformation of enterprises in order to boost innovation on various levels]]. The eight key areas to tackle are: cutting administrative approvals, promoting competition, land reform, opening up banking including the liberalisation of interest rates and the exchange rate, reforming the fiscal system including setting up basic social security, reforming state-owned enterprises, promoting innovation including green technology, and opening up the services sector. Within these, the plan identifies three major breakthroughs to be achieved: lower market barriers to attract investors and boost competition, setting up a basic social security package, and allowing collectively-owned land to be traded. With this, the government hopes to diminish inequality, inefficiency and the enormous levels of corruption. Internationally, China has undertaked developing the "Belt and Road Initiative", whereby through economic cooperations with Eurasian nations to establish a transcontinental network of cargo rails as well as an ocean route across the Indian Ocean by setting up international ports and helping develop local infrastructure, essentially recreating modern [[UsefulNotes/TheSilkRoad Silk Roads]]. Adding to this is an "Ice Silk Road", working with {{UsefulNotes/Russia}} to develop Arctic shipping routes.

The struggle in a wider sense was one between "Leftists" on one hand, who advocated strict adherence to Chairman Mao's legacy and the principles of the Cultural Revolution, and "Reformists" on the other, who while respecting Chairman Mao maintained that changes were required if China was to grow, never mind ''actually'' defend itself from potential re-imperialization from (ever more sophisticated) foreign powers. This faction would be led by Deng Xiaoping. Deng had been on the "Reformist" side and a supporter of Hua Guofeng immediately after Mao's death, however after the fall of the Gang of Four Deng and Hua would come into opposition, with Hua being too conservative for Deng and his supporters. It would be Deng who would lead China on its course of economic expansion, becoming ''de facto'' leader of China when his ideas for economic reforms were adopted by the Chinese communist party in 1978.

All of this, though, has led to a rather contentious debate (rather more muted within China, often rather loud outside of it) as to whether or not the PRC can actually be considered "Socialist" or "Communist" any longer. While the CCP maintains a one-party state pretty rigidly outside of Hong Kong, the economic reforms have come to lead to the creation of a fairly substantial middle-class bourgeoisie and even a significant number of billionaires - conditions unthinkable in Mao's time, and the existence of the billionaires in particular tends to drive many traditional Socialists, both in and out of China, absolutely bananas (since the total, non-negotiable destruction of the ''haute bourgeoisie'' is usually accepted as a core tenet of Marxist theory). Proponents of the system point to both the absolute explosion of literacy, educational attainment, and rising living standards for China as a whole, as well as the widely available and non-privatized medical system, as points that the nation is still very much Socialist in character. Critics often then counter with examples of poverty holes or worker exploitation (another theoretical anathema of Marxism) and economic abandonment of minorities, and, well... needless to say, [[FlameBait it all gets rather heated the further into the debate one goes]], so [[RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgment it is probably good to leave the entry at that]] and a curious reader may research further on their own.

The struggle in a wider sense was one between "Leftists" on one hand, who advocated strict adherence to Chairman Mao's legacy and the principles of the Cultural Revolution, and "Reformists" on the other, who while respecting Chairman Mao maintained that changes were required if China was to grow. This faction would be led by Deng Xiaoping. Deng had been on the "Reformist" side and a supporter of Hua Guofeng immediately after Mao's death, however after the fall of the Gang of Four Deng and Hua would come into opposition, with Hua being too conservative for Deng and his supporters. It would be Deng who would lead China on its course of economic expansion, becoming ''de facto'' leader of China when his ideas for economic reforms were adopted by the Chinese communist party in 1978.

In 2013, Xi Jinping[[note]]with help from Li Wei, former secretary of former premier Zhu Rongji, and Liu He, a veteran 'liberal' reformer who serves as the key economic adviser to Xi Jinping[[/note]] developed a plan of measures known as the [[http://www.cnbc.com/id/101173066 "383 Plan"]], which will involve [[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24803431 a greater opening of the market, some transformations in the government and a reformation of enterprises in order to boost innovation on various levels]]. The eight key areas to tackle are: cutting administrative approvals, promoting competition, land reform, opening up banking including the liberalisation of interest rates and the exchange rate, reforming the fiscal system including setting up basic social security, reforming state-owned enterprises, promoting innovation including green technology, and opening up the services sector. Within these, the plan identifies three major breakthroughs to be achieved: lower market barriers to attract investors and boost competition, setting up a basic social security package, and allowing collectively-owned land to be traded. With this, the government hopes to diminish inequality, inefficiency and the enormous levels of corruption. Internationally, China has undertaked developing the "Belt and Road Initiative", whereby through economic cooperations with Eurasian nations to establish a transcontinental network of cargo rails as well as an ocean route across the Indian Ocean by setting up internatioonal ports, essentially recreating modern [[UsefulNotes/TheSilkRoad Silk Roads]]. Adding to this is an "Ice Silk Road", working with {{UsefulNotes/Russia}} to develop Arctic shipping routes.

In 2013, Xi Jinping[[note]]with help from Li Wei, former secretary of former premier Zhu Rongji, and Liu He, a veteran 'liberal' reformer who serves as the key economic adviser to Xi Jinping[[/note]] developed a plan of measures known as the [[http://www.cnbc.com/id/101173066 "383 Plan"]], which will involve [[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24803431 a greater opening of the market, some transformations in the government and a reformation of enterprises in order to boost innovation on various levels]]. The eight key areas to tackle are: cutting administrative approvals, promoting competition, land reform, opening up banking including the liberalisation of interest rates and the exchange rate, reforming the fiscal system including setting up basic social security, reforming state-owned enterprises, promoting innovation including green technology, and opening up the services sector. Within these, the plan identifies three major breakthroughs to be achieved: lower market barriers to attract investors and boost competition, setting up a basic social security package, and allowing collectively-owned land to be traded. With this, the government hopes to diminish inequality, inefficiency and the enormous levels of corruption. Internationally, China has undertaked developing the "Belt and Road Initiative", whereby through economic cooperations with Eurasian nations to establish a transcontinental network of trade routes as well as an ocean route across the Indian Ocean with collaborations from Southeast Asia, Oceania and Africa, essentially recreating modern [[UsefulNotes/TheSilkRoad Silk Roads]]. Adding to this is an "Ice Silk Road", working with {{UsefulNotes/Russia}} to develop Arctic shipping routes.

In 2018, the term limits for President and Vice President of the People's Republic of China were abolished. (The President is a figurehead position; however, the president is usually also the Chief Secretary of the Communist Party and the chairman of the Military Commission, which did not have term limits.) China started implementing the Social Credit System, which is kind of like driving point system, but applies to one's social reputation and penalties include public blacklisting and refusal of business services and applications. China is also expanding its 4+4 national HSR Grid into an eight vertical and eight horizontal high speed rail grid, reaching into western China. Its high speed rail technology has started surpassing other nations (if only because of technology transfer from various nations and breaking agreements by leaking the technology to other Chinese companies).

In 2018, the term limits for President and Vice President of the People's Republic of China were abolished. (The President is a figurehead position; however, the president is usually also the Chief Secretary of the Communist Party and the chairman of the Military Commission, which did not have term limits.) China started implementing the Social Credit System, which is kind of like driving point system, but applies to one's social reputation and penalties include public blacklisting and refusal of business services and applications. China is also expanding its 4+4 national HSR Grid into an eight vertical and eight horizontal high speed rail grid, reaching into western China.

In 2018, the term limits for President and Vice President of the People's Republic of China were abolished. (The President is a figurehead position; however, the president is usually also the Chief Secretary of the Communist Party and the chairman of the Military Commission, which did not have term limits.) China is implementing the Social Credit System, which is like a driving point system, but applies to one's social reputation and penalties include public blacklisting and refusal of business services and applications. China is also expanding its 4+4 national HSR Grid into an eight vertical and eight horizontal high speed rail grid, reaching into western China.

In 2018, the term limits for President and Vice President of the People's Republic of China were abolished. (The President is a figurehead position; however, the president is usually also the Chief Secretary of the Communist Party and the chairman of the Military Commission, which did not have term limits.) China is also implementing the Social Credit System, like a driving point system, but applies to one's social reputation and penalties include public blacklisting and refusal of business services and applications. China is also expanding its 4+4 national HSR Grid into an eight vertical and eight horizontal high speed rail grid, reaching into western China.

In 2013, Xi Jinping[[note]]with help from Li Wei, former secretary of former premier Zhu Rongji, and Liu He, a veteran 'liberal' reformer who serves as the key economic adviser to Xi Jinping[[/note]] developed a plan of measures known as the [[http://www.cnbc.com/id/101173066 "383 Plan"]], which will involve [[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24803431 a greater opening of the market, some transformations in the government and a reformation of enterprises in order to boost innovation on various levels]]. The eight key areas to tackle are: cutting administrative approvals, promoting competition, land reform, opening up banking including the liberalisation of interest rates and the exchange rate, reforming the fiscal system including setting up basic social security, reforming state-owned enterprises, promoting innovation including green technology, and opening up the services sector. Within these, the plan identifies three major breakthroughs to be achieved: lower market barriers to attract investors and boost competition, setting up a basic social security package, and allowing collectively-owned land to be traded. With this, the government hopes to diminish inequality, inefficiency and the enormous levels of corruption. Internationally, China has undertaked developing the "Belt and Road Initiative", whereby through economic cooperations with Eurasian nations to establish a transcontinental network of trade routes as well as an ocean route across the Indian Ocean with collaborations from Southeast Asia, Oceania and Africa, essentially recreating modern [[UsefulNotes/TheSilkRoad Silk Routes]]. Adding to this is an "Ice Silk Road", working with {{UsefulNotes/Russia}} to develop Arctic shipping routes.

In 2013, Xi Jinping[[note]]with help from Li Wei, former secretary of former premier Zhu Rongji, and Liu He, a veteran 'liberal' reformer who serves as the key economic adviser to Xi Jinping[[/note]] developed a plan of measures known as the [[http://www.cnbc.com/id/101173066 "383 Plan"]], which will involve [[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24803431 a greater opening of the market, some transformations in the government and a reformation of enterprises in order to boost innovation on various levels]]. The eight key areas to tackle are: cutting administrative approvals, promoting competition, land reform, opening up banking including the liberalisation of interest rates and the exchange rate, reforming the fiscal system including setting up basic social security, reforming state-owned enterprises, promoting innovation including green technology, and opening up the services sector. Within these, the plan identifies three major breakthroughs to be achieved: lower market barriers to attract investors and boost competition, setting up a basic social security package, and allowing collectively-owned land to be traded. With this, the government hopes to diminish inequality, inefficiency and the enormous levels of corruption. Internationally, China has undertaked developing the "Belt and Road Initiative", whereby through economic cooperations with Eurasian nations to establish a transcontinental network of trade routes as well as an ocean route across the Indian Ocean with collaborations from Southeast Asia, Oceania and Africa, essentially recreating modern [[UsefulNotes/TheSilkRoad Silk Routes]]. Adding to the "Belt and Road Initiative" is an "Ice Silk Road", working with {{UsefulNotes/Russia}} to develop Arctic shipping routes.

In 2013, Xi Jinping[[note]]with help from Li Wei, former secretary of former premier Zhu Rongji, and Liu He, a veteran 'liberal' reformer who serves as the key economic adviser to Xi Jinping[[/note]] developed a plan of measures known as the [[http://www.cnbc.com/id/101173066 "383 Plan"]], which will involve [[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24803431 a greater opening of the market, some transformations in the government and a reformation of enterprises in order to boost innovation on various levels]]. The eight key areas to tackle are: cutting administrative approvals, promoting competition, land reform, opening up banking including the liberalisation of interest rates and the exchange rate, reforming the fiscal system including setting up basic social security, reforming state-owned enterprises, promoting innovation including green technology, and opening up the services sector. Within these, the plan identifies three major breakthroughs to be achieved: lower market barriers to attract investors and boost competition, setting up a basic social security package, and allowing collectively-owned land to be traded. With this, the government hopes to diminish inequality, inefficiency and the enormous levels of corruption. Internationally, China has undertaked developing the "Belt and Road Initiative", whereby through economic cooperations with Eurasian nations to establish a transcontinental network of trade routes as well as an ocean route across the Indian Ocean with collaborations from Southeast Asia, Oceania and Africa, essentially recreating modern [[UsefulNotes/TheSilkRoad Silk Routes]]. In 2018, the term limits for President and Vice President of the People's Republic of China were abolished. (The President is a figurehead position; however, the president is usually also the Chief Secretary of the Communist Party and the chairman of the Military Commission, which did not have term limits.) Adding to the "Belt and Road Initiative" is an "Ice Silk Road", working with {{UsefulNotes/Russia}} to develop Arctic shipping routes. China is also implementing the Social Credit System, like a driving point system, but applies to one's social reputation and penalties include public blacklisting and refusal of business services and applications.

In 2013, Xi Jinping[[note]]with help from Li Wei, former secretary of former premier Zhu Rongji, and Liu He, a veteran 'liberal' reformer who serves as the key economic adviser to Xi Jinping[[/note]] developed a plan of measures known as the [[http://www.cnbc.com/id/101173066 "383 Plan"]], which will involve [[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24803431 a greater opening of the market, some transformations in the government and a reformation of enterprises in order to boost innovation on various levels]]. The eight key areas to tackle are: cutting administrative approvals, promoting competition, land reform, opening up banking including the liberalisation of interest rates and the exchange rate, reforming the fiscal system including setting up basic social security, reforming state-owned enterprises, promoting innovation including green technology, and opening up the services sector. Within these, the plan identifies three major breakthroughs to be achieved: lower market barriers to attract investors and boost competition, setting up a basic social security package, and allowing collectively-owned land to be traded. With this, the government hopes to diminish inequality, inefficiency and the enormous levels of corruption. Internationally, China has undertaked developing the "Belt and Road Initiative", whereby through economic cooperations with Eurasian nations to establish a transcontinental network of trade routes as well as an ocean route across the Indian Ocean with collaborations from Southeast Asia, Oceania and Africa, essentially recreating modern [[UsefulNotes/TheSilkRoad Silk Routes]]. In 2018, the term limits for President and Vice President of the People's Republic of China were abolished. (The President is a figurehead position; however, the president is usually also the Chief Secretary of the Communist Party and the chairman of the Military Commission, which did not have term limits.) Adding to the "Belt and Road Initiative" is an "Ice Silk Road", working with {{UsefulNotes/Russia}} to develop Arctic shipping routes. China is also implementing the Social Credit System, like a driving point system, but applies to one's social reputation and penalties include public blacklisting and refusal of business services.

In 2013, Xi Jinping[[note]]with help from Li Wei, former secretary of former premier Zhu Rongji, and Liu He, a veteran 'liberal' reformer who serves as the key economic adviser to Xi Jinping[[/note]] developed a plan of measures known as the [[http://www.cnbc.com/id/101173066 "383 Plan"]], which will involve [[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24803431 a greater opening of the market, some transformations in the government and a reformation of enterprises in order to boost innovation on various levels]]. The eight key areas to tackle are: cutting administrative approvals, promoting competition, land reform, opening up banking including the liberalisation of interest rates and the exchange rate, reforming the fiscal system including setting up basic social security, reforming state-owned enterprises, promoting innovation including green technology, and opening up the services sector. Within these, the plan identifies three major breakthroughs to be achieved: lower market barriers to attract investors and boost competition, setting up a basic social security package, and allowing collectively-owned land to be traded. With this, the government hopes to diminish inequality, inefficiency and the enormous levels of corruption. Internationally, China has undertaked developing the "Belt and Road Initiative", whereby through economic cooperations with Eurasian nations to establish a transcontinental network of trade routes as well as an ocean route across the Indian Ocean with collaborations from Southeast Asia, Oceania and Africa, essentially recreating a modern [[UsefulNotes/TheSilkRoad Silk Road]]. In 2018, the term limits for President and Vice President of the People's Republic of China were abolished. (The President is a figurehead position; however, the president is usually also the Chief Secretary of the Communist Party and the chairman of the Military Commission, which did not have term limits.)

In 2013, Xi Jinping[[note]]with help from Li Wei, former secretary of former premier Zhu Rongji, and Liu He, a veteran 'liberal' reformer who serves as the key economic adviser to Xi Jinping[[/note]] developed a plan of measures known as the [[http://www.cnbc.com/id/101173066 "383 Plan"]], which will involve [[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24803431 a greater opening of the market, some transformations in the government and a reformation of enterprises in order to boost innovation on various levels]]. The eight key areas to tackle are: cutting administrative approvals, promoting competition, land reform, opening up banking including the liberalisation of interest rates and the exchange rate, reforming the fiscal system including setting up basic social security, reforming state-owned enterprises, promoting innovation including green technology, and opening up the services sector. Within these, the plan identifies three major breakthroughs to be achieved: lower market barriers to attract investors and boost competition, setting up a basic social security package, and allowing collectively-owned land to be traded. With this, the government hopes to diminish inequality, inefficiency and the enormous levels of corruption. Internationally, China has undertaked developing the "Belt and Road Initiative", whereby through economic cooperations with Eurasian nations to establish a transcontinental network of trade routes as well as an ocean route across the Indian Ocean with collaborations from Southeast Asia, Oceania and Africa, essentially recreating a modern [[UsefulNotes/TheSilkRoad Silk Road]]. In 2018, the term limits for President and Vice President of the People's Republic of China were abolished.

In 2013, Xi Jinping[[note]]with help from Li Wei, former secretary of former premier Zhu Rongji, and Liu He, a veteran 'liberal' reformer who serves as the key economic adviser to Xi Jinping[[/note]] developed a plan of measures known as the [[http://www.cnbc.com/id/101173066 "383 Plan"]], which will involve [[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24803431 a greater opening of the market, some transformations in the government and a reformation of enterprises in order to boost innovation on various levels]]. The eight key areas to tackle are: cutting administrative approvals, promoting competition, land reform, opening up banking including the liberalisation of interest rates and the exchange rate, reforming the fiscal system including setting up basic social security, reforming state-owned enterprises, promoting innovation including green technology, and opening up the services sector. Within these, the plan identifies three major breakthroughs to be achieved: lower market barriers to attract investors and boost competition, setting up a basic social security package, and allowing collectively-owned land to be traded. With this, the government hopes to diminish inequality, inefficiency and the enormous levels of corruption. Internationally, China has undertaked developing the "Belt and Road Initiative", through economic cooperations with Eurasian nations to establish a transcontinental network of trade routes as well as an ocean route across the Indian Ocean with collaborations from Southeast Asia, Oceania and Africa, essentially recreating a modern [[UsefulNotes/TheSilkRoad Silk Road]].

In 2013, Xi Jinping[[note]]with help from Li Wei, former secretary of former premier Zhu Rongji, and Liu He, a veteran 'liberal' reformer who serves as the key economic adviser to Xi Jinping[[/note]] developed a plan of measures known as the [[http://www.cnbc.com/id/101173066 "383 Plan"]], which will involve [[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24803431 a greater opening of the market, some transformations in the government and a reformation of enterprises in order to boost innovation on various levels]]. The eight key areas to tackle are: cutting administrative approvals, promoting competition, land reform, opening up banking including the liberalisation of interest rates and the exchange rate, reforming the fiscal system including setting up basic social security, reforming state-owned enterprises, promoting innovation including green technology, and opening up the services sector. Within these, the plan identifies three major breakthroughs to be achieved: lower market barriers to attract investors and boost competition, setting up a basic social security package, and allowing collectively-owned land to be traded. With this, the government hopes to diminish inequality, inefficiency and the enormous levels of corruption.