China's economy today

Question 1

What is a special economic zone? (SEZ)

Answer 1

An area were businesses are able to develop without government control.

Question 2

Where did China limited its SEZs?

Answer 2

Along the pacific coast.

Question 3

Why did China limited its SEZs in the coast?

Answer 3

Because it would promote and facilitate overseas trading.

Question 4

Where was the first SEZ established?

Answer 4

In Shenzhen

Question 5

How did Chinese leaders encouraged trading and foreign investing in the SEZs?

Answer 5

By offering lower taxes and fewer regulations in imports and exports.

Question 6

What persuaded regional companies and multinational coorporations to open branches in the country?

Answer 6

The lower wages paid to Chines Workers.

Question 7

How do economists base the size of a country’s economy ?

Answer 7

Based on de GDP (Gross Domestic Product).

Question 8

What is the Gross Domestic Product ?

Answer 8

It is the total value of goods and services produced in a country in a certain year. It increases a 10 percent each year in China.

Question 9

What are China’s main economy industries ?

Answer 9

Mining & iron and steel manufacturing. Also the country is known for its exports of clothing, electronics and toys.

Question 10

Where do most of China’s exports go to ?

Answer 10

To the United States, about 20% of the exports.

Question 11

In China’s borders, what kind of activities do service industries provide?

Answer 11

Banking, insurance, trade, communication, education, health care, recreation and transportation. Tourism is growing and becoming fundamental in the economy.

Question 12

What role has agriculture in China’s economy and GDP?

Answer 12

It contributes little, only 15% of the land is arable. However, it produces most of the food it needs for it large population.

Question 13

To slow the population growth, what action took the government ?

Answer 13

The one-child-policy in 1979

Question 14

What is the one child policy?

Answer 14

Is a policy that limits families to have only one child. The ones that complied were rewarded with more food, improved housing, better education and job opportunities for that child.

Question 15

What happened with the families who didn’t follow the one child policy ?

Answer 15

They had to pay large fines.

Question 16

What are the exceptions of the one child policy ?

Answer 16

Minority populations, rural families may have 2 or more children. Also in 2011 the government loosen the policy to provinces with low birth rates.

Question 17

What is the “fertility rate”?

Answer 17

It is the average number of children born per woman.

Question 18

What has the one child policy improved in China according to the government?

Answer 18

It has improved the standard of living for may Chinese people. The fertility rate has reduced meaning that the policy has worked.

Question 19

What is the one child policy’s biggest long term impact?

Answer 19

The age distribution of China. If less people are being born, then there will be more elder people than young, and not enough people to take care of the old.

Question 20

What is one of the one child policy’s unintended impact?

Answer 20

If child is an only child, then they grow as being spoiled by their parents and selfish. When they grow up, parents complain that their children only care about their own lives and careers. In the past most children were respectful.

Question 21

What is the difference between China’s and India’s population?

Answer 21

The age, about 50% of Indias population is under 25. China’s population is bigger, but studies predict that India’s will be bigger by 2030.

Question 22

India doesn’t have population policies like China. Instead what does India encourages?

Answer 22

The advancement and education for its women. India believes that educated women are most likely to have smaller families.
Also the government offers bonuses to women in rural areas to star a family and agree to have fewer children.

Question 23

The Three Georges Dam in China (Chang Jiang) is the largest in the world. Why was it built?

Answer 23

1. To prevent flooding along the eastern part of the river between Chungking and Wuhan.
2. To generate hydroelectricity.
3. Promote economic development.
4. Make navigation easier along the Chang Jiang.

Question 24

What is the geographic feature name for where the Three Georges Dam was built?

Answer 24

A gorge.

Question 25

What is a gorge?

Answer 25

A deep narrow passage surrounded by steep cliffs.

Question 26

What causes flooding in the Chang Jiang?

Answer 26

Since it is a narrow area, melting of snow and heavy rainfall can cause the river to rise quickly. Along the years seasonal rise has cause major flooding and tons of deaths.

Question 27

What is a reservoir?

Answer 27

A large artificial lake.

Question 28

What function does the reservoir behind The Three Georges Dam do?

Answer 28

It stores the water being held back and during dry periods the dam will slowly release water from it to raise the level of the river so it allows large ships to travel along China’s interior.

Question 29

What is controversy, how does it relate to te Three Georges Dam?

Answer 29

It means debate, the Dam has caused controversy between China and abroad.

Question 30

What are some benefits of the Dam?

Answer 30

1. It has already prevented flooding.
2. The fact of improving conditions for commercial shipping in the river should increase the region’s economic development.
3. Government predicts that the hydroelectricity of the dam will provide abut 10% of the total energy.

Question 31

What are some of the Dam’s drawbacks?

Answer 31

1. To make the reservoir a large part of the land had to be cleared.
2. Millions of people were displaced from their cities and villages.
3. Historical and cultural sites are now underwater.
4. Critics fear that the dam will cause landslides and destroy the habitats of endangered animals.

Question 32

Because of the drawbacks, what does the government think that would have been a better solution?

Answer 32

Building many, but smaller dams and using newer technology for producing electricity.