KQ4: China - economic inequalities influence social and env issues Flashcards
How is there inequality between genders? (3)
- Traditionally, women treated as second class citizens - in education, work, health, politics.
- One child policy included many sex selective abortions.
- Beginning to change now however thanks to economic development leading to government reforms,
What is China’s current economic position? (6)
- World’s third largest economy.
- Growth driven mostly by secondary sector.
- Rivals India as an NIC.
- Major role in international trade.
- Second largest exporter in the world.
- Third largest importer in the world.
What are China’s current problems? (5)
- Rapidly aging population - backlash from one child policy.
- Increasing rural urban gap.
- Gaining access of foreign sources of supply.
- Keeping wages down so labour force remains cheap and competitive in world market place.
- Serious pollution.
What are China’s pollution problems?
- Movement of pollution means that some rural areas suffer from other region’s pollution.
- Climatic reasons mean some similar pollution producing urban regions suffer much more than others.
- Most severe regions with heavy industry e.g. iron, steel and chemical works.
- Most polluted region is Shanxi, with 4 of China’s 10 most polluted cities in.
How is pollution managed in SOME areas? (3)
- SOME local councils favour environmental protection by implementing strict environmental controls within their region.
- EXAMPLE: although the Han River flows through a heavily industrialised region, the water is still drinkable
- This is a result of environmental controls where factories were shut down for being responsible for serious pollution. This then encouraged the remaining industries to operate with environmental controls.
What economic policies led to China’s success? (5)
- 1978: govt. aimed to raise living standards by gradually moving away from command economy, to a more market based one. As a result opened to international trade and foreign direct investment.
- 1984: 14 coastal cities opened to trade and FDI.
- Five economic zones opened.
- Zones such as the Pearl Delta River became prosperous by making electrical equipment, clothing, shoes, toys.
- Private sector now generates 70% of China’s GDP.
How is their social inequality in China? (White Horse village) - how is their inequality between rural and urban? (3)
- Lots of effort for very little reward in rural areas.
- Have little say in anything in rural areas.
- Children unable to enrol in school in rural areas.
How is their social inequality in China? (White Horse village) - why have people migrated from rural to urban? (3)
- Better paid and skilled jobs.
- Opportunities.
- Pay for medicine for elderly relatives.
How is their social inequality in China? (White Horse village) - what problems have people experience in WH village as the area has been urbanized? (6)
- People not given enough compensation.
- State doesn’t care enough about resettling and sorting problems of people currently living there.
- Ancestors graves will have to be removed.
- Govt. buildings built first before new schools, apartments that were promised…
- Temporary shelters with no hot water/heating. Use communal toilet blocks.
- Houses knocked down where they built their lives.
How is their social inequality in China? (White Horse village) - do the changes to urbanisation offer more opportunities, better standards of living, better quality of life? (3)
- Improved job opportunities - earn more money - can afford better food/housing - better quality of life/standard of living.
- New high school is best in country - however rural children are unable to enrol.
- Villagers struggling to get into ‘city life’. Made complaints about inefficient apartments - bad standards, not right for EQ’s either.
How is China aiming to change? (4)
In October 2013, decided…
- Land reform e.g. granting farming property rights to own land.
- Introduce competitive banking so small companies and individuals can get loans.
- Reduce power of local governments who at present raise money by land auctions (as farmers have no land rights) - by giving them other sources of finance (new taxes).
- ‘Build a beautiful China’ by improving system of land development - conserving natural resources and improving environmental protection.
What is the most polluted region in China? Why?
Shanxi, has 4 of China’s 10 most polluted cities in it
What is the clean river called?
Han River
What policies were made in 1978?
govt. aimed to raise living standards by gradually moving away from command economy, to a more market based one. As a result opened to international trade and foreign direct investment.
What happened in 1984?
14 coastal cities opened to trade and FDI.
