Discuss the reasons for China’s emergence as a global power by 2000.

Candidates are required to offer a considered and balanced review of the reasons why China became a global power in the period from the mid-20th century to 2000. Candidates may consider military, political and economic factors that contributed to this development.

Indicative content

• China’s involvement in Cold War conflicts in Asia demonstrated its growing role as a regional and global power. During the Korean War (1950–1953), Chinese “volunteers” significantly affected the outcome of the conflict by pushing UN forces back to the 38th Parallel. China’s actions during the conflicts in Vietnam and Cambodia also demonstrated their growing power.
• In 1964, China successfully tested its first Atom Bomb, despite the withdrawal of Soviet technical support five years earlier. This further helped China to establish itself as a significant military global power.
• In 1971, the United Nations voted to recognize the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as the legitimate government of China. After Nixon’s visit in 1972, the US eventually established diplomatic relations with the PRC.
• The aims of Deng Xiaoping’s (Teng Hsiao-p’ing’s) economic reforms were to stimulate China’s domestic economy; open Chinese trade to the outside world; allow the development of individual enterprises; and encourage foreign investment.
• Special Economic Zones (SEZs) were set up and proved successful; international trade flourished and wages and conditions were better than elsewhere in China. The policy of the Four Modernizations was designed to improve agriculture, industry, science and technology and national defence. These policies further opened China to the outside world and enabled it to
  become an economic global power.
• Jiang Zemin was President of the People’s Republic of China from 1993 to 2003. Jiang proposed further economic reform to create a “socialist market economy” (public ownership, individual household industry, private enterprise and foreign investment would all compete equally) in which government would, to an extent, decentralize and allow more capitalist practices (although SEZs were still supported).
• At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in the US in 1993, Jiang refused to engage with President Clinton with regard to China’s human rights record, maintaining the importance of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.
• During Jiang’s leadership, China regained Hong Kong, secured the 2008 Olympic Games, supported public works in local communities, and commenced the construction of the Three Gorges Dam. In foreign affairs, Jiang maintained cordial relations with the US and Russia.

The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, the list is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.

Examiners and moderators are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so.

[20 marks]