China History 101. 1949-2009.
Posted by Dan on September 27, 2009 at 02:58 PM
FT.com has a very nicely put together, very informative timeline/article mapping out the key points in China's history. It is entitled, "People’s Republic of China at 60" and its pitch is that it allows you to "follow the key political and economic moments in the history of the People’s Republic since its founding on October 1, 1949. It does and I recommend it.
Comments
The selection of the events and pictures to mark the milestones and important events in PRC's history is generally very good and appropriate.
The only arguments I have are 1) they should add 1992 with a picture of Deng when he made the famous "south tour" to restart the stalled economic reform and opening after TAM and 2) they should replace the D*lai L*ma's picture in 2008 with a picture of either Olympics or Sichuan Earthquake. These latter two events will prove to be far more significant to China and the impact more long-lasting than the T1b*t r1ot. I guess FT can have its own opinion, but the reality is 1ib*t riot doesn't change anything at all.
Posted by: greg | September 28, 2009 1:27 PM
I heard an interesting comment on BBC radio.. it was something along the lines of, "the first 27 years under the PRC was a dark period.. capitalism saved China."
Posted by: Andy | October 2, 2009 6:55 PM
@Andy,
The BBC comment was probably inspired by a joke circulated in China:
In 1949, socialism saved China,
in 1978, capitalism saved China,
in 1989, China saved socialism,
In 2008, China saved capitalism.
Enjoy.
Posted by: greg | October 3, 2009 10:40 PM