How far has the discriminatory developmental strategy of China transformed its

culture and society?

Since the period of Chinas reform and opening up, decades long of
discriminatory development strategy has resulted in disparities that deepened
social inequalities, fostering discrimination between the rich and the poor,
coastal and the inland areas, rural and urban residents. While discriminatory
developmental strategy has radically transformed Chinese society along the lines
of values, lifestyle, social behaviour, demographic, and societal unity, certain
traditional characteristics of the Chinese society still remain and certain
measures taken by the CCP has also lessened the division and inequalities.
Hence, this essay seeks to argue that the impact of Chinas discriminatory
development strategy on Chinese society and culture has been tremendous yet
gradually becoming more limited.
Cultural division occurred as coastal cities, with greater exposure to global
influences, became more cosmopolitan and even westernised in their values,
social behaviour and lifestyle. Household fast food names like Macdonald,
subway and KFC are quickly changing the dietary habits of Chinese. Visiting pubs
and karaoke lounges instead of drinking tea and eating dim sum has become the
favourite pastime of many Chinese. Popular culture from the West, Japan, South
Korea as well as some other foreign societies has gained wide popularity in
China. This is exemplified in the variety of music the younger generations listen
to, their fashionable dress sense and the assimilation of western stories in the
movies they watch. Relaxation of official control over religious beliefs and their
adherences have also resulted in an insurgence of foreign faith. Official figures
states that there are now 15 million of Protestants and 6 million Catholics in
China. Given that communism and religion are supposed to be mutually
exclusive and the Chinese Communist Party has always been hostile towards
western ideas, this is a notable change.
However, discriminatory development strategy has not eliminated the traditional
values and practices held by the Chinese people. Migrant workers in hundreds of
millions continued to travel back to their home province to celebrate Spring
Festival each year. Inland rural regions like Gansu and Qinghai still remain
relatively unaffected. Villages in the countryside are still staunchly adhering to
traditional agrarian lifestyle. Societal hierarchy in these areas is still patriarchal
and families prefer boy over girl offspring. Traditional values like concern for
ones family surname are still practised. Urban development concerning
entertainment and modern values could not reach the countryside due to poor
transportation and communication. Even when they do in some places, minority
groups treat them with hostility and see it as just another of the governments
attempt to infiltrate their nature culture. Furthermore, many rural folks continue
to be staunch worshippers of Mao and his ideology. Many are still hold on to their
traditional culture and values.
Discriminatory development strategy has resulted in a radical change in Chinas
social demographics. Dengs economic liberalisation resulted in the opening up
of coastal cities. The establishment and expansion of other urban centres leads
to greater trade and commerce. More Chinese also migrated from rural to urban
areas in search of better livelihoods. These have caused the transformation of
Chinese family structure as most who lived in cities would prefer to have nuclear
families over extended ones. Hectic city life also resulted in more late marriages,
higher divorce rate and more people choosing to remain single. Coupled with the

one child policy, and changing Chinese values, birth rates have dropped and the
Chinese population is rapidly ageing. This trend has become irreversible as more
than half of the Chinese population are living in cities today, adopting new social
perceptions and leading modern lifestyles, comparable to other foreign cities,
such as Bangkok and Seoul.
However, CCP today is emphasising on sustainable and more equitable growth,
resulting in the reduction of rural-urban migration, rendering discriminatory
developmental strategy increasingly obsolete. Well-intentioned and drastic
governmental measures have been implemented to tackle urban-rural division.
The Go West policy was implemented to channel investments and
development to the inland provinces. For instance, Xinjiang's trade with Central
Asia increased 67.4% within 4years, contributing to investment in better
housing structures-mud houses to brick houses. A system of guaranteeing
residents minimum living standards has been established in some 330 rural
cities. A unified basic old-age social insurance system for rural employees has
started. The Chinese government has introduced a pension program for rural
residents aged 20 to 60 who can make personal contributions to individual
retirement accounts. Experimental reform of the medical insurance system was
expanded. Development was made in elementary education by popularizing nine
year compulsory education contributing to the elimination of illiteracy.
Discriminatory development policy has also intensified Han-minorities rivalries as
the latter, unhappy with the perceived exploitation by the former turned restive
and violent. Spread of economic development into inland provinces has
brought about ecological damages and social dislocation to the minority
communities. Mining and extraction activities by the government have
forced many, especially the nomadic herdsmen, to leave their traditional
habitats. Building of farms by Han Chinese in Xinjiang has resulted in rapid
desertification of the province. Government's attempts at protecting the
ecological well-being of these regions have been sabotaged by local
corruption and abuse of power. Influx of Han businesses into minority areas
led to indigenous resentment given the ubiquitous display of Han wealthier
status and the persuasive use of mandarin. Many complained that their
traditional culture is eroded before the onslaught of Han economic invasion.
However, minorities welfare and customs have been accorded official protection
by Beijing. Perks such as exemption from OCP, free education and other social
privileges are extended to the minorities in Southern China wear their ethnicity
proudly and are grateful to governments protection of their status. Poorer
communities like the Zhuangs are grateful for the educational opportunities
and cultural protection offered by the government. Literacy rate has generally
been raised considerably amongst the minority communities since CCP's
takeover in 1949. Recent date indicates that the average length of education in
various provinces range between 5 to 7years. Most minority mother tongues
are taught together with Mandarin in the 9- year compulsory elementary
education. Tremendous efforts put in by the government to study and compile
traditional medical treatises by the Tibetans and Mongolians. Official
recognition and protection for historical sites and heritage are related to the
various communities.