Is uneven development in China causing resentment?

The story of China’s growth and change over recent decades is powerful evidence of how industrial development and Globalisation can combine to create rapid change. However, far from everyone in China is feeling the benefit of the changes that have happened and continue to happen. This article reveals how millions of rural Chinese people feel left behind.

 

 

What social problems are associated with mining developments in LEDCs?

Mining is often a useful way for LEDCs to gain finanancially from their natural resources. However, large global mining companies and governments in developing countries often do not enforce the same planning, social and environmental standards as they would in MEDCs. Here are a couple of examples of the allegations that have been made:

A Canadian mining firm operating in Guatemala:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7934513.stm

A British firm operating in Peru:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct/18/peru-monterrico-metals-mining-protest

Coca-Cola in Venice – How does the spread of big brands indicate globalisation?

Many iconic places try to reject big global brands, as a way of preserving their status and heritage. The introduction of 60 Coca-Cola vending machines to Venice has caused an inevitable row, but is the spread of global brands inevitable?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7906589.stm

Will “The Box” tell us more about the nature of Globalisation and trade today?

The BBC is following a shipping container around the world. It’s been sprayed with the BBC’s colours and will be tracked as it makes its way from port to port. Shipping containers revolutionised the way that goods are transported around the world and the nature of the ships and docks which handled them, including their surrounding communities. You can track the BBC Box here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/business/2008/the_box/default.stm

You can read about the history of the humble shipping container here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4943382.stm

How is China Changing?

Recent events have shown that China is changing quickly, possibly faster than anywhere else on the planet. But what is happening and what is going to happen next?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/asia_pacific/2004/china/default.stm

As is the case across most of the world, life expectancy is increasing in China; but what will the consequences be?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7731566.stm

How is society in India changing?

Indian society has traditionally been arranged according to the Hindu caste system, which allocates people to different classes at birth. movement between castes is incredibly hard and many people are discriminated against because of their caste. More recently, people have been challenging this system, resulting in big changes in the way Indians see themselves and each other:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7404062.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/crossing_continents/6198341.stm

Some stories deomnstrate that the caste system is still a major factor in controlling the lives of Indian people:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/7872770.stm

What happened in Tiananmen Square in 1989?

You can find an outline of the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiananmen_Square_protests_of_1989

and a timeline here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8057148.stm

Here is one news report of the events:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyj-3S_ulvI&feature=related

Here is some footage of the famous “Tank Man”, who single-handedly stopped a column of tanks:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-nXT8lSnPQ

How did the Chinese media cover the protests?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8069940.stm

How is China’s influence spreading around the world?

There are many examples of China’s growing economic influence around the world, including islands in the South Pacific:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/7380375.stm

China’s official website: to what extent does it tell the truth?

Here is a link to the official website of the Chinese government:

http://english.gov.cn/

Beijing Olympics 2008 – What will the legacy be?

The official games website is here:

http://en.beijing2008.cn/ 

There are many issues surrounding the Beijing games, including whether the games should be held in China at all, given it’s human rights record:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7168303.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7242832.stm

Amnesty International has a number of concerns which are addressed here: 

http://www.amnesty.org.uk/content.asp?CategoryID=10917

Steven Spielberg has pulled out from his role as artistic adviser to the games in protest at China’s perceived role in the Darfur crisis in Sudan:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7242016.stm

The head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has urged athletes not to boycott the games over human rights abuses in the occupied region of Tibet:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics/7301665.stm

Human rights activists attempted to disrupt a ceremony which marks the beginning of journey of the Olympic flame from Greece to Beijing. They were protesting at the presence of China in Tibet and the recent violent suppression of protests there:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7310654.stm

Beijing’s air is heavily polluted, but will it choke the 2008 Olympics?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/7139041.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/athletics/7197871.stm

The Chinese authorities are working hard to try to clean up the air pollution problems of Beijing in time for the 2008 games:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7264957.stm

A new airport terminal has been built in order to accommodate the influx of people expected for the games:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7265557.stm

Here are some views from Chinese people about the legacy of the games:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7581350.stm