Claim: The standard of living in China cannot be traced through the rise in cotton cloth consumed per person per year as clothing purchases were rationed in the 1970s and continue to be rationed today.
Evidence: Cloth consumption increased from eight meters per person in 1978 to almost twelve meters in 1985, and rationing was ended in the early 1980s. In the 1970s before the reform period, clothing purchases were restricted by rationing.