Wen Jiabao

Home > ... > People > History > Chinese and Taiwanese History: Biographies > ...

Essential
reading

Compare
side-by-side

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition

A Dictionary of Contemporary World History

China, Peoples Republic of

A Dictionary of Contemporary World History | 2004 | | © A Dictionary of Contemporary World History 2004, originally published by Oxford University Press 2004. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

China, People's Republic of A Communist country established on mainland China on 1 October 1949 by Mao Zedong. In the first decade of its existence, together with his loyal deputy, Zhou Enlai, Mao sought to establish the control of the Chinese Communist Party over the entire country, as well as over Tibet, which was occupied in 1950. This involved not just political control, but also the realization of a Communist economy, society, and culture. The power of the gentry was broken through expropriation and the redistribution of the majority of the farmland to around 75 per cent of peasant households. Given the mass of peasants, this meant the creation of extremely small and inefficiently sized properties. Collectivization was encouraged, and encompassed almost 60 per cent of peasant households by 1954. In 1955 an impatient Mao quickened the pace, so that by 1957 all farms were collectivized, while in the cities all commercial and industrial enterprises had been nationalized. Apart from the destruction of traditional social relationships, perhaps the most significant innovation of those years was the creation of legal sexual equality. While traditional codes between men and women were not eradicated overnight, the 1950 marriage laws, for example, gave women equal status.

By 1957 Mao was satisfied that a proletarian society had been created. He chose to show this in the Hundred Flowers campaign, which created a brief atmosphere of intellectual liberalization, but ultimately confirmed the regime's hostility to intellectuals in general, and critics in particular. In the first decade of its existence, China relied heavily on the economic and diplomatic support of the USSR, particularly after its confrontation with the USA in the Korean War. This influence led to an economic development modelled on the Soviet Union, so that resources were put almost exclusively into industrial growth, at the expense of agriculture. The severe consequences of this policy had become evident by 1958. Economic growth had averaged 7 per cent per annum, mainly as a result of economic reorganization, and was now reaching a natural limit. At the same time, the neglect of agricultural investment had produced some discontent among the peasants, who were, after all, the social and ideological backbone of the Communist Party. Under increasing criticism from followers of Liu Shaoqi, Mao launched the Great Leap Forward. In attempting to create self-sufficient communities, he sought to mobilize new labour resources (e.g. women) in the countryside, while employing the newly created labour surplus in the building and running of communal industries. As a result, industrial output increased dramatically, and China was flooded with industrial goods of shoddy quality for which there was no demand. By contrast, there was a dramatic decline in agricultural production, which decreased by a staggering 26.3 per cent (1958–60), causing the starvation of millions of Chinese.

The early 1960s were devoted to a period of normalization organized by Liu's supporters, with Mao taking a back seat. Mao reasserted his total control, however, in the ‘Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution’, which resulted in a dramatic purge of the CCP, as well as economic and cultural elites. With Mao's authority firmly re-established after the fall of Lin Biao, in 1976 dramatic changes befell the country, owing to the deaths of Zhou Enlai and Mao. In response, the Cultural Revolution was brought to an end, and the Gang of Four was arrested by Hua Guofeng. Most important was the rapid re-emergence of the pragmatic Deng Xiaoping, whose leadership was established by late 1978. He liberalized academic debate, and introduced unprecedented economic reforms. Industrial enterprises received a stimulus through being allowed to keep some of their profits, while certain private industries and foreign investment were encouraged. In the countryside, too, individual responsibility and accountability were reintroduced in a fundamental shift away from the collective ideal. During the 1980s, therefore, the CCP lost its influence quite dramatically over large areas of Chinese life, but Deng refused to contemplate its (and his own) decline of political power, as became clear with the Tiananmen Square Massacre of 1989.

Under Jiang Zemin, any political opposition was brutally suppressed. Impressive annual growth rates of around 10 per cent led to increasing social stratification, rather than a general increase in the standard of living, which was eroded by rising inflation (22 per cent in 1994). Rampant underemployment, especially in the interior provinces, necessitated large government spending on infrastructure and job creation projects in 2000–1. Domestically, the CCP's prestige was bolstered by the incorporation of Hong Kong and Macao into mainland China. International recognition was manifested by China's entry into the WTO in 2001, and its commission to host the 2008 Olympic Summer Games. In 2002, the CCP changed its leadership by appointing a new standing committee. This was led by the new party chairman, Hu Jintao, who became China's new President. Zeng Qinghong, a former adviser to Jiang, became Vice President, with Wen Jiabao, an expert in economics, as the new Prime Minister.

Hide all research tools
Print this article Print all entries for this topic Cite this article Link to this article
Link to this article

CloseClose

Create a link to this page

Copy and paste this link tag into your Web page or blog:

<a href="http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/.aspx#1O46-ChinaPeoplesRepublicof" title="Facts and informations about Wen Jiabao">Wen Jiabao</a>

Add this article to Del.icio.usBookmark this article on DiigoShare this article on FacebookSubmit this article to RedditGive this article a thumbs-up on StumbleUpon
Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

JAN PALMOWSKI. "China, People's Republic of." A Dictionary of Contemporary World History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 9 Jul. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JAN PALMOWSKI. "China, People's Republic of." A Dictionary of Contemporary World History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (July 9, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O46-ChinaPeoplesRepublicof.html

JAN PALMOWSKI. "China, People's Republic of." A Dictionary of Contemporary World History. 2004. Retrieved July 09, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O46-ChinaPeoplesRepublicof.html

Learn more about citation styles

Wen Jiabao

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition | 2008 | The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008 Columbia University Press. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

Wen Jiabao , 1942-, Chinese political leader, b. Tianjin. Originally a geologist, he worked for the Gansu provincial geological bureau (1968-82), where he was the head of its political section, and rose to deputy director general. He later (1982-85) was an officer of the Ministry of Geology and Mineral Resources. In 1985 Wen became a deputy director of the general office of the Chinese Communist party's central committee, thus beginning a steady climb up the national party's leadership ladder. A calm and able administrator, he served China's top leaders as chief of staff for some two decades, became deputy premier, and was named premier in 2003. Upon taking office, Wen, who has favored free-market reforms, announced that one of his key priorities was to revive rural China's stagnant economy.

Hide all research tools
Print this article Print all entries for this topic Cite this article Link to this article
Link to this article

CloseClose

Create a link to this page

Copy and paste this link tag into your Web page or blog:

<a href="http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/.aspx#1E1-WenJiabao" title="Facts and informations about Wen Jiabao">Wen Jiabao</a>

Add this article to Del.icio.usBookmark this article on DiigoShare this article on FacebookSubmit this article to RedditGive this article a thumbs-up on StumbleUpon
Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"Wen Jiabao." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 9 Jul. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Wen Jiabao." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (July 9, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-WenJiabao.html

"Wen Jiabao." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Retrieved July 09, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-WenJiabao.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

Free Article CHINA: CHINESE PREMIER WEN JIABAO TO PARTICIPATE IN WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM ANNUAL MEETING 2009.
Newspaper article from: IPR Strategic Business Information Database; 12/18/2008
Free Article Open economy to help democracy: Chinese Premier.(UPDATE)(Wen Jiabao)(Brief Article)
Magazine article from: Business Asia; 12/1/2003
Free Article CHINA: PREMIER WEN JIABAO ATTENDS THE 11TH CHINA-EU SUMMIT IN PRAGUE.
Newspaper article from: IPR Strategic Business Information Database; 5/24/2009

Facts and information from other sites

Related articles from newspapers, magazines, and more

CHINA: CHINESE PREMIER WEN JIABAO TO PARTICIPATE IN WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM ANNUAL MEETING 2009.
Newspaper article from: IPR Strategic Business Information Database; 12/18/2008; 299 words ; Premier Wen Jiabao of China will attend the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos-Kloste...of the World Economic Forum. We are therefore delighted that Premier Wen Jiabao will join us in Davos, together with other G20 leaders and over 1,200... Read more
Open economy to help democracy: Chinese Premier.(UPDATE)(Wen Jiabao)(Brief Article)
Magazine article from: Business Asia; 12/1/2003; 295 words ; ...t been impeccable , Premier Wen Jiabao said during his US visit in...and other lifestyle choices, Wen said at Harvard Business School...advancement of human rights, Wen said, without specifically addressing...be a time-consuming process , Wen said in response to a question... Read more
CHINA: PREMIER WEN JIABAO ATTENDS THE 11TH CHINA-EU SUMMIT IN PRAGUE.
Newspaper article from: IPR Strategic Business Information Database; 5/24/2009; 222 words ; According to FDI: Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held the 11th China-European Union (EU) summit with Czech President Vaclav Klaus and European Commission President Jose Barroso...the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, and jointly deal with the global financial crisis as well as climate change. Wen ... Read more
CHINA: PREMIER WEN JIABAO TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM'S INAUGURAL ANNUAL MEETING OF THE NEW CHAMPIONS IN DALIAN.
Newspaper article from: IPR Strategic Business Information Database; 8/28/2007; 387 words ; The World Economic Forum announced today that Premier Wen Jiabao of China will take part in the World Economic Forum's Inaugural Annual Meeting of the New Champions, which will be held in Dalian... Read more
Remarks prior to a meeting with Premier Wen Jiabao of China in Beijing.(Week Ending Friday, August 15, 2008)(Beijing, China)(Brief article)(Speech)
Newspaper article from: Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents; 8/18/2008; 273 words ; August 10, 2008 Premier Wen. Mr. President, welcome to Beijing. I also...basketball team. President Bush. Right. Premier Wen. You also spent some time with the beach...world. President Bush. That's right. Premier Wen. I'm very happy that you're going to watch... Read more
Remarks following discussions with Premier Wen Jiabao of China and an exchange with reporters.(Week Ending Friday, December 12, 2003)
Newspaper article from: Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents; 12/15/2003; 700+ words ; ...So, welcome. Glad you're here. Premier Wen. I'm very grateful towards President Bush...on somebody from your press. Q. Premier Wen, what is the position of the Chinese Government on the question of Taiwan? Premier Wen. Our fundamental policy on the settlement... Read more
Remarks at a welcoming ceremony for Premier Wen Jiabao of China.(Week Ending Friday, December 12, 2003)
Newspaper article from: Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents; 12/15/2003; 446 words ; ...a great power, and a great nation. Premier Wen, when my country looks forward to--my country...South Portico at the White House, where Premier Wen was accorded a formal welcome with full military...Secretary also included the remarks of Premier Wen. Read more
Remarks prior to discussions with premier Wen Jiabao of China in Beijing.(Week Ending Friday, November 25, 2005)(Brief Article)
Newspaper article from: Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents; 11/28/2005; 102 words ; November 20, 2005 Thank you. It's good to see you again, sir. I remember our visit very well. And I thank you for this invitation to come and talk and have lunch. It will give us a chance to continue to strengthen this very important relationship. And I agree with you; it's a relationship where Read more
CHINA: WEN SAYS IT'S CHINA'S RESPONSIBILITY TO SEND "MESSAGE OF CONFIDENCE, COURAGE AND HOPE TO WORLD.
Newspaper article from: IPR Strategic Business Information Database; 2/3/2009; 188 words ; According to FDI: Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said on Wednesday that China...demand, to boost economic growth, Wen told participants at the World...and cooperative development, Wen said. Switzerland is the first leg of Wen's European tour, which will... Read more
HONG KONG: PREMIER WEN PLEDGES STAUNCH SUPPORT FOR HK.
Newspaper article from: IPR Strategic Business Information Database; 3/5/2009; 260 words ; ...overcome the financial turmoil, Premier Wen Jiabao says, adding pilot programmes for the two...National People's Congress today, Premier Wen said cooperation between the Mainland and...enterprises on the Mainland. Welcoming Premier Wen's remarks, Chief Executive Donald Tsang... Read more

Pictures from Google Image Search

Click to see an enlarged picture
Click to see an enlarged picture
Click to see an enlarged picture

For students and teachers!

Encyclopedia.com provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including:

Encyclopedia.com provides students and teachers facts, information, and biographies from verified, citable sources, including: