China's Extraordinary Odyssey: Mao's Legacy, Economic Triumphs, and the Complexity of Transformation

China has undergone profound transformations since the era of Mao Zedong's socialist rule from 1949 to 1976. This period witnessed a substantial demographic shift, with half of China's population relocating from agrarian landscapes, favored by Mao, to sprawling yet polluted urban centers. The ubiquity of smartphones today stands in stark contrast to the historical value placed on bicycles, which were once considered esteemed wedding gifts. The World Bank has credited the Chinese government with a remarkable achievement: the elevation of 800 million individuals out of poverty. This accomplishment is predominantly attributed to Deng Xiaoping's "reform and opening" policies. However, while conventional wisdom suggests a causal connection between rapid economic growth and concurrent institutional liberalization, it is prudent to explore other potential contributing factors to China's extraordinary advancement.

To this end, we must consider the auspicious conditions for economic growth that existed in 1978. Despite the political tumultuousness of Mao's era, China's Gross National Product (GNP) demonstrated an average annual growth rate of 6.2% between 1952 and 1978. The period of industrialization during Mao's tenure fostered the accumulation of substantial physical and human capital, thereby laying the foundation for subsequent economic reforms. An in-depth analysis of the events and factors influencing China's economic development is essential to evaluate their degree of success. 

The First Five-year Plans

The initial phase of China's economic planning, characterized by the First Five-Year Plan, witnessed remarkable growth. The economy expanded at an impressive annual rate of 16%, consistently surpassing industrial output targets. This phase yielded notable achievements, including a twofold increase in coal production, a threefold surge in electric power generation, and a quadrupling of steel production. Urbanization emerged as a prominent feature, leading to improved living standards in urban areas due to higher wages compared to rural regions. The initiation of a nuclear industry and the execution of large-scale infrastructure projects, such as the Yangtze River bridge, served propagandistic purposes. Furthermore, the Communist Party exercised greater control, enhancing social welfare by providing improved housing, healthcare, and education. 

The Second Five-year Plans

The subsequent Second Five-Year Plan further bolstered China's development. During this period, transportation saw substantial improvements, with rail freight doubling between 1952 and 1958. Efforts in smaller-scale irrigation projects and increased production of key raw materials, such as steel and oil, were noteworthy. Urban transformation, exemplified by the reconstruction of Beijing's Tiananmen Square, achieved propaganda success. Gender equity in employment was a consequence, with the percentage of women in the workforce rising from 8% in 1949 to 29% in the mid-1960s. Moreover, Mao's collectivization initiatives successfully restructured agriculture along communist lines, consolidating CCP control in rural areas. 

The Sino-Soviet alliance

The Sino-Soviet alliance, a pivotal geopolitical development, had multifaceted effects. This cooperation played an essential role in the formulation of the first five-year plan and in the modernization of China. The Soviet Union contributed significantly to the construction of 156 large industrial facilities, including steel mills and power plants. Nuclear cooperation allowed China to acquire a nuclear capability, with the detonation of its first nuclear device in 1964 and the production of its first hydrogen bomb in 1967. Furthermore, the Soviet provision of funds Important and supportive economic conditions have facilitated the modernization of China's nascent economy. However, the Sino-Soviet alliance had to pay a price: China was dragged into the Korean War, resulting in great human and military costs. In addition, the withdrawal of Soviet nuclear experts in 1960 had a negative impact on China's nuclear program. The Soviet Union's obligation to return and retain 10,000 military and technical experts strained Chinese resources. 

Targeting the development of labor

Education and health policies have undergone significant changes during this period. Education has made steady progress, as demonstrated by increased literacy rates and expanded access to primary education. The expansion of higher education institutions from 200 colleges and universities in 1949 to 1,289 in 1966 expanded educational opportunities. Healthcare initiatives, such as the Patriotic Health Movement, have helped reduce morbidity and improve general public health. Measures such as educating farmers about disease prevention, personal hygiene and the importance of drinking water have yielded significant health benefits.

However,

it is essential to recognize these policies' inherent limitations and challenges. Advances in education were constrained by factors such as the financial hardship caused by the Korean War in the 1950s and the disruptive impact of the Cultural Revolution that began in 1966. Elite educational institutions that select students and attract the best teachers persist, limiting educational opportunities for the masses. School closures during the Cultural Revolution disrupted the education of millions of young people. Health care delivery remains distinct, with Western-style hospitals concentrated in urban areas. The cultural and political upheavals of the time also had a negative impact on healthcare initiatives.

The economic policies pursued within the framework of the first and second five-year plans, even with notable successes, are not without limits. In the first five-year plan, there were challenges such as declining agricultural production leading to food shortages to support a growing urban workforce. Quality often comes after quantity, as many factories prioritize achieving production goals over maintaining product quality. In addition, a significant portion of the Chinese labor force is poorly educated and has limited  basic skills, which  not only hinders short-term economic growth, but also hinders long-term development. . The inexperience in organization and management of Chinese managers leads to a lack of coordination between sectors and central planners, often causing bottlenecks in the production process. The second five-year plan, which promoted the Backyard Furnace program, was plagued by neglected agricultural products for kiln maintenance. The Great Leap Forward, an integral part of this plan, contributed to the Great Famine of 1958-1962, which resulted in the tragic deaths of some 30-50 million people. The unrealistic goals set by Mao, coupled with a lack of pursuit of profit, created an environment in which millions were overworked to the point of exhaustion or  starvation. Furthermore, Mao's belief in mobilizing the masses to overcome economic challenges proved overly optimistic, and ill-advised projects such as the Three Doors Gorge Dam resulted in environmental damage that made farmers' careers become more difficult. These boundaries illustrate the complex and multifaceted nature of China's economic development during this period.

Essentially, China's transformation under Mao was a complex interplay of multifaceted successes, challenges, and  dynamics. Understanding this period requires a nuanced perspective that recognizes both its notable achievements as well as its inherent limitations. This historical context provides a valuable basis for understanding China's contemporary position on the world stage.

Written by Yasmin Uzykanova