Changing China

  • The process where more people start living in cities than in rural areas.

  • Areas that are in the countryside, usually with low populations and a lot of open space.

  • The number of people living in a certain area, like a city or country. Normally expressed as people per KM squared.

  • When people move from one place to another, usually to find jobs or better living conditions.

  • When a country’s wealth increases, usually measured by how much it produces and sells.

  • Basic facilities like roads, bridges, water supply, and schools that are needed for a country to function properly.

  • The total value of all goods and services produced in a country in a year.

  • The process of developing industries in a country or region on a wide scale.

  • A government rule in China that limited many families to having only one child.

  • A massive dam in China built to produce electricity and prevent floods.

  • Harmful materials that contaminate the air, water, or land.

  • Energy from sources that do not run out, like wind or sun.

  • Economic development that is conducted without depletion of natural resources.

  • The variety of different types of life found in an area.

  • Protecting and preserving natural resources and the environment.

  • Tourism directed towards exotic, often threatened, natural environments, intended to support conservation efforts and observe wildlife.

  • The process of making products, especially with machines in factories.

  • Goods sent to another country for sale.

  • Goods brought into a country from abroad for sale.

  • A tax or duty to be paid on a particular class of imports or exports.

  • The process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence or start operating on an international scale.

  • All the members of a particular organization or population who are able to work, viewed collectively.

  • Statistical data relating to the population and particular groups within it.

  • The planning and control of the construction, growth, and development of a city or town.

  • A period of massive social, political, and economic change in China during the 1960s and 1970s.

  • The ethnic group forming the majority of the Chinese population.

  • An autonomous region in China known for its vast highlands and Buddhist culture.

  • Designated areas in countries that possess special economic regulations that are different from other areas in the same country.

  • The average number of children a woman will have during her lifetime.

  • The average period that a person may expect to live.

  • The percentage of people who are able to read and write.

  • The unequal distribution of income within a population. A large difference between social classes in terms of wealth.

  • The development of new technologies or improvements to existing technologies.

  • Efforts and measures taken to preserve and protect the giant panda and its habitat.

  • The degree to which the air is clean or polluted. Normally a measure of the amount of pm 2.5 in the atmosphere. Sometimes referred to as AQI.

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Where is China

China is located in East Asia, on the eastern side of the continent of Asia. It lies between about 20° and 53° North latitude, and 73° to 135° East longitude. To the east, China’s east coast meets the Pacific Ocean, specifically the East China Sea, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea.

China has many neighboring countries. To the north, it shares borders with Russia and Mongolia. To the west, China is bordered by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. On the southwestern side, it borders India, Nepal, and Bhutan. In the south, China has borders with Myanmar (Burma), Laos, and Vietnam.

Physical Geography of China

China has many types of landscapes and physical features. In the west, there are high mountains, like the Himalayas, which include some of the tallest mountains in the world. The Tibet Plateau is also in this region, which is a high, flat area often called the "Roof of the World."

In the north of China, there are large desert areas, like the Gobi Desert and Taklamakan Desert. These deserts have dry, sandy landscapes with very little rainfall.

Moving towards the east, China has wide, flat plains, such as the North China Plain. This area is very fertile and good for farming. In the southeast, there are warmer, wetter regions with hills and rivers, such as the Yangtze River and Yellow River, which are very important to China.

China also has a long coastline along the Pacific Ocean, with access to the East China Sea, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea. This coastline allows for fishing and trade with other countries.

People live in eastern China because this area has more rainfall, fertile land, and is good for farming. The rainfall helps crops grow, and the land in the east is rich in nutrients, making it easier to grow food like rice and vegetables. Farming is important for feeding people and supporting jobs, so areas with good farming conditions attract more people. This is why eastern China, with its better climate for farming, has a higher population compared to the drier, less fertile western regions.

Factors That Effect Where People Live

Food
Access to good farmland allows people to grow food, which is essential for survival. Regions where food can be easily grown often attract more people, as they can produce their own food locally.

Population Distribution of China

In China, most people live in the southeastern and eastern parts, especially along the coast. This area has many big cities and good farmland, which makes it easier for people to live and work there.

On the other hand, the western part of China has far fewer people. This is because it has deserts, high mountains, and plateaus, which are difficult places to live and farm. The southwest, with many mountains, also has fewer people because the land is hard to use for building cities or growing crops. This means that China’s population is mostly crowded in the east, while the west is much emptier.

Why Do People Live In Eastern China?

Water
People need water for drinking, cooking, and farming. Areas near rivers, lakes, or where rainfall is common are more attractive for people to live because they have reliable water sources.

Good Climate
A mild climate makes it easier to live and grow food. People usually avoid very hot, cold, or dry areas and prefer places with comfortable weather.

To manage its large and growing population, China introduced policies to limit the number of children families could have. This started with the One Child Policy in 1979. The main rule was that each family could only have one child. The government hoped this would reduce the birth rate, helping the country provide enough food, housing, healthcare, and jobs for everyone. Families who followed the rule received benefits like free education and healthcare, along with a wage increase. However, those who broke the rule faced punishments, such as fines or losing part of their wages.

In 2015, China changed this rule, allowing families to have up to two children. This was called the Two Child Policy. Then, in 2021, the government relaxed the rule again, allowing families to have up to three children, known as the Three Child Policy. Later that year, all penalties for having more than three children were removed.

These changes happened because China’s birth rate became very low, which could lead to problems like having too few young people to support the older population in the future.

Stakeholders Opinion’s About China’s One Child Policy

Government

As representatives of the government, we view the One Child Policy as a huge success. Since 1979, it has drastically lowered the birth rate, and we believe this has improved living standards across the country by allowing us to better distribute resources like healthcare and education.

We know the policy is challenging for some families, but many have benefited from it. Families who comply receive free education, childcare, and healthcare. In recent years, we’ve also relaxed the rules to allow some families to have two children under certain conditions. We believe this balance has helped China manage its population growth effectively.

Young Male

I’m a 23-year-old man hoping to get married soon, but it feels almost impossible to find a girlfriend. The gender imbalance in China, caused by the One Child Policy, means there are far more men than women – some say about 60 million more. Many families preferred boys, believing we could get better jobs, and this has left men like me struggling to find partners.

I’m nearing the age where I’m allowed to marry, but as I get closer to 24, I’m worried about my chances of starting a family. It’s a difficult situation to be in, and I feel trapped by the imbalance the policy created.

Rural Family

Our family is not in favor of the One Child Policy at all. In our village, it’s traditional to have large families, and we rely on our children to help with farm work and to look after us when we’re older.

While rural families can apply to have a second child if their first is a girl, some of us don’t follow the rule and try to have more children anyway, even if our first child is a boy. We’ve managed to avoid registering some of our children with the government. For families like ours, this policy doesn’t make sense because we need large families to survive.

Problems and Benefits of The One Child Policy

Was the One Child Policy Successful?

China’s Development Through Time

Income Distribution Across China

Healthcare and Education
Good healthcare and schools improve the quality of life and offer opportunities for growth. Places with hospitals and schools are often more populated, as people seek access to medical care and education for their families.

Jobs
People need jobs to earn money and support themselves. Areas with more work opportunities, like cities or industrial regions, often have higher populations because people move there for employment.

Flat Land
Flat land is easier to build on and farm, making it a practical place for towns, cities, and agriculture. This is why flat areas often have more people than mountainous or steep regions.

Only Child

People think I’m lucky to be an only child, and in some ways, I am. I get a lot of attention from my parents, and they focus all their hopes on me. Some people even call me a "Little Emperor" because I often get what I want.

But it’s not all easy. There’s a lot of pressure on me to succeed because I’m the only one who can carry on my family’s legacy. Also, when my parents grow old, I’ll be the only one responsible for taking care of them. Sometimes I wish I had siblings to share these responsibilities with.

Mother and Father

I grew up in a family of five children, but when I got married, I was only allowed to have one. The policy is very strict, and we had to get permission from local authorities before even trying to conceive. If you get pregnant without permission, you’re expected to use contraception or even have an abortion.

It’s heartbreaking to see the effects of the policy, especially on baby girls. Many families prefer boys, leading to an increase in abandoned female babies – some say about 10,000 girls are abandoned each year. When I had my first child, a daughter, I couldn’t imagine abandoning her. I feel torn between following the rules and my desire to have a family.

Impoverished Regions (Blue):

  • These areas have the lowest income.

  • Where? Mostly in the west of China, like Xinjiang, Tibet, and Sichuan. These places are more remote, with mountains and fewer jobs.

    Poor Regions (Green):

    • These areas have slightly higher income than the blue regions

    • Where? Mostly in central China, like Inner Mongolia, Henan, and Hunan. These areas are developing but still do not earn as much as the east.

    Better Off Regions (Pink):

    • These areas have the highest income

    • Where? Mostly in the east near the coast, like Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Guangdong. These regions are more industrial and have many jobs, businesses, and cities.

Overall Pattern

  • The east of China is richer with more jobs and higher income.

  • The central parts have moderate income.

  • The west is poorer with fewer jobs and lower income.

This pattern shows that people in eastern China generally earn more than those in the central and western parts of the country.

Trade
Regions near ports, rivers, or borders may have more trade and business. Trade opportunities attract people because they bring in goods, services, and jobs, making life more convenient.

What Is Overpopulation

Overpopulation happens when the number of people in an area becomes too large for the available resources, such as food, water, and space, to support everyone.

This can lead to problems like overcrowded housing, pollution, and shortages of basic necessities. When too many people live in one place, it can also put a strain on services like healthcare, education, and transportation, making it harder for everyone to access what they need. Overpopulation is often seen in big cities or areas with limited resources, and it can affect the quality of life for the people living there.

China’s One Child Policy

Policeman

As a policeman, I understand and support the One Child Policy because it’s important for controlling our population. However, enforcing it is tough, especially in rural areas. Luckily, we have older villagers, the "granny police," who help us by reporting families trying to have more than one child in secret.

But the gender imbalance caused by the policy is concerning. There are many more single males now, which has led to an increase in gambling, alcohol abuse, and even crime. In fact, crime rates have doubled over the last 20 years, and I believe this is partly because of the policy.

The policy did slow down population growth, which helped China’s economy and allowed the government to improve living conditions for many people. However, it also caused long-term problems, like an aging population and a gender imbalance. Because of these issues, China ended the One Child Policy in 2015 and now allows families to have more children.

Shelter
People need safe, comfortable places to live. Areas with materials for building homes, or regions with developed housing, attract more people as they offer better living conditions.