Background: For centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences, but in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the country was beset by civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. After World War II, the Communists under MAO Zedong established an autocratic socialist system that, while ensuring China's sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life and cost the lives of tens of millions of people. After 1978, his successor DENG Xiaoping and other leaders focused on market-oriented economic development and by 2000 output had quadrupled. For much of the population, living standards have improved dramatically and the room for personal choice has expanded, yet political controls remain tight.
April 29th 2008Asia » China » Pingyao Our second of the two flights that would take us to Jiuzhaigou was delayed due to weather conditions at the receiving airport. However, after several hours we were descending between mountains on our ... 48 photos[full story]
January 4th 2008Asia » China » Pingyao nach dem gestrigen franzoesischen ein- nun ein deutscher nachtrag.
wir hoffen es geht euch allen gut und ihr habt die festivitaeten der letzten woche gut ueberstanden. wie ihr ja schon wisst haben ... 9 photos[full story]
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