China - Industrialization, Manufacturing, Financial System, and Investment (2024)

China - Industrialization, Manufacturing, Financial System, and Investment (1)

The development of industry has been given considerable attention since the advent of the communist regime. Overall industrial output often has grown at an annual rate of more than 10 percent, and China’s industrial workforce probably exceeds the combined total for all other developing countries. Industry has surpassed all other sectors in economic growth and degree of modernization. Most heavy industries and products deemed to be of national strategic importance remain state-owned, but an increasing proportion of lighter and consumer-oriented manufacturing firms are privately held or are private-state joint ventures.

Among the various manufacturing branches, the metallurgical and machine-building industries have received high priority. These two branches alone now account for about two-fifths of the total gross value of industrial output. In these, as in most other areas of state-owned industry, however, innovation has generally suffered at the hands of a system that has rewarded increases in gross output rather than improvements in variety and quality. China, therefore, still imports significant quantities of specialized steels. Much of the country’s steel output comes from a small number of producing centres, the largest being Anshan in Liaoning.

The principal preoccupation of authorities in chemical and petrochemical manufacturing is to expand the output of chemical fertilizers, plastics, and synthetic fibres. The growth of this industry has placed China among the world’s leading producers of nitrogenous fertilizers. In the consumer goods sector the main emphasis is on textiles, clothing, shoes, processed foods, and toys, all of which also form an important part of China’s exports. Textile production, a rapidly growing proportion of which consists of synthetics, continues to be important, but less so than before. The industry tends to be scattered throughout the country, but there are a number of important textile centres, including Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Harbin.

The pace of industrialization quickened and diversified after 1990. Notable were the development of automobile, aircraft, and aerospace manufacturing. In addition, China expanded rapidly into the production of electronics, semiconductors, software, and precision equipment, often in conjunction with foreign firms.

Overall, the distribution of industry has remained uneven, despite serious efforts from the mid-1950s to the late 1970s to build up manufacturing in the interior at the cost of the major cities on the east coast. While percentage growth of industry in the interior provinces generally greatly exceeded that of the coastal areas, the far larger initial industrial base of the latter meant that a few coastal regions have continued to dominate China’s industrial economy. The establishment of special economic zones in coastal areas only enhanced this disparity. Thus, Shanghai alone produces about 10 percent of China’s gross value of industrial output, and the east coast accounts for about 60 percent of the national manufacturing output.

Finance

China’s financial institutions are owned by the state. The principal instruments of fiscal and financial control are the People’s Bank of China and the Ministry of Finance, both subject to the authority of the State Council. The People’s Bank, which replaced the Central Bank of China in 1950 and gradually took over private banks, fulfills many of the functions of Western central and commercial banks. It issues the renminbi (yuan; the national currency), controls circulation, and plays an important role in disbursing budgetary expenditures. Furthermore, it handles the accounts, payments, and receipts of government organizations and other bodies, which enables it to exercise detailed supervision over their financial and general performance in the light of the state’s economic plans.

China - Industrialization, Manufacturing, Financial System, and Investment (4)

The People’s Bank is also responsible for foreign trade and other overseas transactions (including remittances by overseas Chinese), but these functions are exercised through the Bank of China, which maintains branch offices in a number of European and Asian countries.

Other important financial institutions include the China Construction Bank (formerly People’s Construction Bank of China), responsible for capitalizing a portion of overall investment and for providing capital funds for certain industrial and construction enterprises; the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, which conducts ordinary commercial transactions and acts as a savings bank for the public; the Agricultural Bank of China, which serves the agricultural sector; and the China Investment Bank, which handles foreign investment. Many foreign banks maintain offices in China’s larger cities and the special economic zones. In 2005 the China Construction Bank became the first of China’s “big four” banks to be publicly traded. The Bank of China and the Industrial and Commercial Bank followed in step soon thereafter. When the last of the four, the Agricultural Bank of China, went public in 2010, it was the world’s largest initial public offering (IPO) to date.

China’s economic reforms greatly increased the economic role of the banking system. Whereas virtually all investment capital was previously provided on a grant basis in the state plan, policy has shifted to a loan basis through the various state financial institutions. More generally, increasing amounts of funds are made available through the banks for economic purposes. Enterprises and individuals can go to the banks to obtain loans outside the state plan, and this has proved to be a major source of financing both for new firms and for the expansion and modernization of older enterprises.

Foreign sources of capital also have become increasingly important. China has received loans from the World Bank and several United Nations programs, as well as from several countries (particularly Japan) and from commercial banks. Hong Kong and Taiwan have become major conduits for—as well as sources of—this investment. Stock exchanges have been operating at Shanghai and Shenzhen since 1990, and the government began allowing the first foreign firms to trade in the market in 2003.

China - Industrialization, Manufacturing, Financial System, and Investment (2024)

FAQs

Why is China having a rapid progress answer? ›

Rapid industrialization increased employment to many people. Industrialization increased GDP. There are so many companies which gives employment to many people. A stable government regulate the country.

How did industrialization impact China economically? ›

As a major driver of the overall economic growth, industrialization made great contributions to poverty reduction in China by absorbing the agricultural surplus labor force.

What lessons could the US learn from China's economic growth explain? ›

The lesson to be learned from China's R&D is that progress requires long-term investment in human capital and physical capital, and that making such investments—or not making them—can have major consequences for a nation's wellbeing.

What are the 4 most important projects for economic growth in China's overall strategy? ›

China's top five key reform areas are: (1) the “new macroeconomic policy responses” to stabilize near-term growth, (2) “transform the economic growth pattern” to further boost consumption, (3) improve “competition” to allow the market to play the basic role and promote private sector involvement, (4) promote “ ...

How does the US benefit from China's rapid economic growth? ›

It supports US jobs.

While expanding foreign trade can disrupt US employment, trade with China also creates and supports a significant number of American jobs. Exports to China support over 1 million US jobs, and Chinese companies invested in the United States employ over 160,000 workers.

Why is China's economy growing so fast? ›

Driven by industrial production and manufacturing exports, China's GDP is actually now the largest in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP) equivalence. Despite this growth, China's economy remains strictly controlled by its government where there are accusations of corruption, unfair dealings, and falsified data.

How did China industrialize so fast? ›

This book argues that China's rapid industrialization since 1978 can be attributed to its rediscovery of the secret recipe of the original Industrial Revolution. The secret recipe is not based on institutional changes per se but rather the sequential creation of mass markets to support mass production.

What is the main reason for industrial and economic growth in China? ›

Causes of China's Economic Growth

Economists generally attribute much of China's rapid economic growth to two main factors: large-scale capital investment (financed by large domestic savings and foreign investment) and rapid productivity growth. These two factors appear to have gone together hand in hand.

What are the problems with industrialization in China? ›

In the future, China's industrialization and urbanization will face many problems, including lack of capability to self-innovate in industrial technologies, significant limitations in natural resources, heavy pressure from employment and population migration to nonagricultural sectors, an imbalance in development among ...

How China impact the world economy? ›

China alone is expected to account for 1 percentage point of 2.3 percent global growth this year. The last time China contributed to global economic growth by such a large degree was in 2009, when most of the world economy went into recession except for China.

What challenges do the US face due to China's economic rise? ›

Some claim that China uses unfair trade practices (such as an undervalued currency and subsidies given to domestic producers) to flood U.S. markets with low-cost goods, and that such practices threaten American jobs, wages, and living standards.

How important is China to the US economy? ›

China is currently our largest goods trading partner with $559.2 billion in total (two way) goods trade during 2020. Goods exports totaled $124.5 billion; goods imports totaled $434.7 billion. The U.S. goods trade deficit with China was $310.3 billion in 2020.

What is the main source of economic growth in China? ›

Private investment and exports are the main drivers of economic growth in China; but, in recent years, the Chinese government has been emphasising domestic consumption. 1,411,750,000 (31 December 2022 est.) $19.373 trillion (nominal; 2023 est.)

What are 2 major economic activities in China? ›

Manufacturing, services and agriculture are the largest sectors of the Chinese economy – employing the majority of the population and making the largest contributions to GDP.

What is China's plan for growth? ›

BEIJING (AP) — China's government announced plans for a consumer-led revival of the struggling economy as its legislature opened a session Sunday that will tighten President Xi Jinping's control over business and society.

Is China about to overtake the United States economically? ›

It is necessary to ensure that the momentum of development is sufficient and powerful. It has become a global expectation that China's total economic size will surpass that of the US in the next decade or so, and as long as China focuses on developing itself well, this result will be achieved naturally.

How does China have an absolute advantage over the United States? ›

Answer and Explanation: China has the largest population of any country in the world. Because of this, they have a larger labor force than any country on the planet. This means that China has an absolute advantage in producing any product that requires a high number of workers.

How much does the US economy depend on China? ›

China has the third largest share in U.S.–World Trade following Mexico and Canada. In 2021, 8.6% of total U.S. exports of $1.8 trillion to the World were exported to China and 17.9% of total U.S. Imports of $2.8 trillion were imported from China.

When did China become a strong economy? ›

Since China began to open up and reform its economy in 1978, GDP growth has averaged over 9 percent a year, and more than 800 million people have lifted themselves out of poverty. There have also been significant improvements in access to health, education, and other services over the same period.

Why has China's economic growth slowed? ›

But China's economy has been slowing because of structural conditions that predate the pandemic. The limits to its growth have been apparent for a decade, and observers recognize that the Chinese economy can no longer produce the eye-watering rates of growth that sustained global excitement in previous decades.

Is China's economy improving? ›

The country's GDP will grow 5.2% this year and 5.1% in 2024, it predicted.

Why China is successful in manufacturing? ›

In addition to its low labor costs, China has become known as "the world's factory" because of its strong business ecosystem, lack of regulatory compliance, low taxes and duties, and competitive currency practices.

What are the benefits of industrialization in China? ›

Like previous industrialization campaigns, Chinese industrialization brought modern economic development and a general increase in quality of life for many of its citizens, while also introducing a variety of environmental implications that can be felt locally, and on a global scale.

When did China become the fastest growing economy? ›

China has been the fastest growing economy in the world since the 1980s, with an average annual growth rate of 10% from 1978 to 2005, based on government statistics.

What were the three reasons for rise of Chinese economy? ›

Factors responsible for its rising economy are as follows:
  • (i) Use of Soviet Model:
  • China accepted the Soviet model and depended on its resources. ...
  • (ii) Development of Industrial Economy:
  • China employed all its resources for developing an industrial economy. ...
  • (iii) Relation with the United States of America:

Do you agree that China's rapid economic growth is not sustainable? ›

China is recovering from the impact of Covid-19, but the detail suggests that GDP growth of 3.2% year-on-year in 2Q20 may not be sustainable despite improvements in foreign demand and infrastructure investments. However, we do now expect better growth numbers than our previous forecasts.

What are 3 problems of industrialization? ›

7 Negative Effects of the Industrial Revolution
  • Horrible Living Conditions for Workers. ...
  • Poor Nutrition. ...
  • A Stressful, Unsatisfying Lifestyle. ...
  • Dangerous Workplaces. ...
  • Child Labor. ...
  • Discrimination Against Women. ...
  • Environmental Harm.
Nov 9, 2021

What were 3 of the major problems of industrialization? ›

Although there are several positives to the Industrial Revolution there were also many negative elements, including: poor working conditions, poor living conditions, low wages, child labor, and pollution.

What were 3 problems created by industrialization? ›

Some of the drawbacks included air and water pollution and soil contamination that resulted in a significant deterioration of quality of life and life expectancy. Industrialization also exacerbated the separation of labor and capital.

Why China is a very important economic power? ›

China has the world's largest banking assets. It is the world's largest manufacturer. The world leader in digital innovation, green tech and e-commerce.

What was a major factor that helped China's manufacturing economy grow? ›

Economists generally attribute much of China's rapid economic growth to two main factors: large-scale capital investment (financed by large domestic savings and foreign investment) and rapid productivity growth.

What type of economic system does China have? ›

While initially founded as a socialist state with a centrally planned economy, it now has a mixed economy, described by its government as “Socialism with Chinese characteristics”. China has enjoyed almost 30 boom years with GDP growing in double-digits, raising 500 million people out of poverty.

What are 3 major problems in China? ›

Social unrest
  • Media censorship.
  • Dissatisfaction with corrupt government officials.
  • Large protests against local government/businesses due to unfair treatment (usually land and expropriation-related issues) and ensuing persecution.
  • Homeowners refuse to repay loans on unfinished properties.

How is China a threat to US economy? ›

The counterintelligence and economic espionage efforts emanating from the government of China and the Chinese Communist Party are a grave threat to the economic well-being and democratic values of the United States. Confronting this threat is the FBI's top counterintelligence priority.

Why is China in economic crisis? ›

The major challenge that Xi's China faces is a crumbling economy due to the stringent zero-Covid policy measures imposed by the Chinese government, resulting in several European and American companies withdrawing from China.

How does China compare to the United States economically? ›

According to the IMF, in 2019, the PPP between China and the US was ¥3.5 per international dollar. As such, China's GDP of ¥95.5 trillion would be worth $27.3 trillion in the United States (¥74.6/3.5). That's $5.9 trillion, or nearly 28 percent, more than the US GDP of $21.4 trillion in 2019.

What does China trade the most? ›

The great bulk of China's exports consists of manufactured goods, of which electrical and electronic machinery and equipment and clothing, textiles, and footwear are by far the most important. Agricultural products, chemicals, and fuels are also significant exports.

What does China need from the US? ›

Aircraft, soybeans, motor vehicles and microchips are top U.S. exports to China. Since 2001, the share of these exports going to China has increased sharply. Soybeans and motor vehicles are targets of recent Chinese tariffs.

What lessons could the US learn from China's economic growth? ›

The lesson to be learned from China's R&D is that progress requires long-term investment in human capital and physical capital, and that making such investments—or not making them—can have major consequences for a nation's wellbeing.

Is China in a debt crisis? ›

China's $23 Trillion Local Debt Crisis Threatens Xi's Economy - Bloomberg.

What is the fastest growing economy in the world? ›

India. India's GDP grew by 8.7% in 2021, reaching $3.1 trillion, making it the fastest-growing major economy in the world. Furthermore, India's per capita income has doubled in the last decade, and poverty rates have declined significantly.

What businesses are booming in China? ›

Fastest Growing Industries in China in 2023
  1. Cafes, Bars & Other Drinking Establishments in China. ...
  2. Couriers in China. ...
  3. Engine Manufacturing in China. ...
  4. Online Shopping in China. ...
  5. Mattress Manufacturing in China. ...
  6. 6. Mail-Order & Online Shopping in China. ...
  7. Alternative-Fuel Car & Automobile Manufacturing in China.

What is China the largest producer of? ›

RICE Rice is a major food source for China. It is the world's largest rice producer rice.

What is China famous for? ›

What Is China Famous For? China is famous for its ancient architecture, for example, the illustrious Great Wall of China which was constructed in the 7th century BC. Similarly, China has ancient traditions such as martial arts which originated during the Xia dynasty.

Why did China's economy grow so fast? ›

China's economy has grown to one of the largest and most powerful in the world over the past few decades. Driven by industrial production and manufacturing exports, China's GDP is actually now the largest in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP) equivalence.

What are the 4 most important strategies for economic growth in China's project? ›

China's top five key reform areas are: (1) the “new macroeconomic policy responses” to stabilize near-term growth, (2) “transform the economic growth pattern” to further boost consumption, (3) improve “competition” to allow the market to play the basic role and promote private sector involvement, (4) promote “ ...

What is the development strategy of China? ›

Development Strategy of China

One of the key highlights of China's development strategy is its Great Leap Forward (GLF). The strategy aimed at the high-scale industrialization of the economy. Rural communities were allowed to undertake collective cultivation.

What caused China's rapid urbanization? ›

China's increase in urbanization was one of the several functions of the surpluses produced from the agricultural sectors in China (farming and pastoral dependency).

Is China a rapid growth country? ›

China's years of high GDP growth meant that its economy ballooned more than tenfold between the turn of the century and 2021, from $1.2 trillion to nearly $18 trillion, according to World Bank data. By contrast, the GDP of the United States, the world's largest economy, is a little more than double its size in 2000.

What two things led to the rapid population growth of China? ›

Next we address how China's population growth rate compared with that other countries, arguing that the rapid population increase from 1949 to 1979 was largely the result of Maoist pro-natalist policies as well as of the Communist regime's peculiar remuneration scheme.

How did China become so advanced? ›

China was a world leader in science and technology until the early years of the Ming dynasty. Chinese discoveries and Chinese innovations such as papermaking, printing, the compass, and gunpowder (the Four Great Inventions) contributed to the economic development in East Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

What were 3 factors that led to rapid urbanization? ›

Various Causes of Urbanization
  • Industrialization. ...
  • Commercialization. ...
  • Social Benefits and Services. ...
  • Employment Opportunities. ...
  • Modernization and Changes in the Mode of Living. ...
  • Rural-urban Transformation.

What problems does China face because of how rapidly they have Industrialised and Urbanised? ›

Rapid increases in pollution, energy use, emissions of carbon dioxide and water scarcity are four major issues that China is facing today as a result of urbanization and GDP growth.

How has China's economic growth affect urbanization? ›

China's rapid economic convergence has coincided with rapid urbanisation. Since 1979 (the beginning of the reform period), the share of China's population living in urban areas has increased by 27 percentage points, from 19 per cent to 46 per cent in 2009 (Chart 4). Source: United Nations, IMF and Treasury.

Why is China so important to the global economy? ›

It is one of the world's fastest growing countries and is the tenth largest exporter. China is also a significant recipient of foreign aid and a major borrower on international capital markets.

How did China become economically successful? ›

In addition, state price controls on a wide range of products were gradually eliminated. Trade liberalization was also a major key to China's economic success. Removing trade barriers encouraged greater competition and attracted FDI inflows.

What type of economy is China? ›

While initially founded as a socialist state with a centrally planned economy, it now has a mixed economy, described by its government as “Socialism with Chinese characteristics”. China has enjoyed almost 30 boom years with GDP growing in double-digits, raising 500 million people out of poverty.

What challenges does the US economy face due to China's economic rise? ›

Some claim that China uses unfair trade practices (such as an undervalued currency and subsidies given to domestic producers) to flood U.S. markets with low-cost goods, and that such practices threaten American jobs, wages, and living standards.

Is China more advanced than the US? ›

In other words, on a proportional basis, China is now roughly 75 percent as advanced in innovation and advanced-industry production as the United States. If this relative growth continues apace, China will surpass the United States by 2035.

What is China's best technology? ›

China leads in 37 of 44 technologies tracked in a year-long project by thinktank the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. The fields include electric batteries, hypersonics and advanced radio-frequency communications such as 5G and 6G.

Is China ahead of us in technology? ›

The study by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), based in Canberra, found that in 37 out of 44 areas covering crucial technology such as defense, space, artificial intelligence, and robotics, China is clearly in the lead.

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