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.
June 17th 2008Asia » China » Shandong » Tai Shan "You're been spending your time/Thinking about why you think so much/If there was ever a time/now would be time to see your time is limited
"Everybody here is a cloud/And everybody will evaporate sin ... [full story]
May 10th 2008Asia » China » Shandong » Tai Shan Although I didn't get a chance to climb Mt. Fuji, I knew there would be other mountain climbing opportunities on my trip. I wouldn't have to wait very long and a week into China, I found myself climb ... 12 photos[full story]
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