New leaders Jiang Zemin and Zhu Rungji are carrying out bold economic reforms that fundamentally marketize much of the Chinese economy and society. While rigidly prohibiting democratic political competition, they are experimenting with allowing local elections and expanding the idea of rule of law. A new political elite has been consolidating its rule, with one foot in the communist party and the other in business. Many ordinary people are benefiting from economic progress too. At the same time, the transition from cozy security on state welfare to the uncertainty of a market society creates great anxiety.
People are angry about corruption and abuse of power.
In addition, China faces complex problems in managing its relation with Taiwan as well as with ethnic minorities in Western China. These issues intertwine with its critically important relationship with the United States. All in all, China has many crosscurrents, and this will certainly be a very interesting semester for studying China. By the end of the semester, we should have a good idea about the old and new political and economic systems in China, the complex new demands and challenges the Chinese political system is facing, the responses the political system is making to these challenges, and the overall current situation in China. We will use a comprehensive text book to give us an outline of China's background and structure.