Over the past 40 years, China has transformed from a nation plagued by poverty and starvation into one of the world's most powerful countries. This remarkable journey began in 1979 with economic reforms initiated by Deng Xiaoping, which shifted China from a centrally planned economy to a more market-oriented one. These reforms spurred rapid economic growth, with China's GDP growing at an average annual rate of nearly 10% from 1979 to 2017. This growth helped lift over 800 million people out of poverty, representing a significant portion of the global reduction in poverty during this period.
Deng's policies included the decentralization of economic decision-making, the introduction of the household responsibility system in agriculture, and the establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to attract foreign investment. These measures encouraged productivity and innovation, laying the groundwork for China to become a global manufacturing hub.
China's focus on education and healthcare further bolstered its development. The implementation of compulsory education laws and substantial government spending on education and research created a skilled workforce capable of supporting its industrial and technological advancements.
In this video, we will explore China's transformation into a superpower from a historical perspective, examining key turning points and milestones along the way.
