Modern China
Published on 23. November 2015
Book
Hardback
448 pages
978-1-61069-625-8 (ISBN)
Description
Providing an indispensable resource for students, educators, businessmen, and officials investigating the transformative experience of modern China, this book provides a comprehensive summary of the culture, institutions, traditions, and international relations that have shaped today's China.
In Modern China, author Xiaobing Li offers a resource far beyond a conventional encyclopedia, providing not only comprehensive coverage of Chinese civilization and traditions, but also addressing the values, issues, and critical views of China. As a result, readers will better understand the transformative experience of the most populous country in the world, and will grasp the complexity of the progress and problems behind the rise of China to a world superpower in less than 30 years.
Written by an author who lived in China for three decades, this encyclopedia addresses 16 key topics regarding China, such as its geography, government, social classes and ethnicities, gender-based identities, arts, media, and food, each followed by roughly 250 short entries related to each topic. All the entries are placed within a broad sociopolitical and socioeconomic contextual framework. The format and writing consistency through the book reflects a Chinese perspective, and allows students to compare Chinese with Western and American views.
In Modern China, author Xiaobing Li offers a resource far beyond a conventional encyclopedia, providing not only comprehensive coverage of Chinese civilization and traditions, but also addressing the values, issues, and critical views of China. As a result, readers will better understand the transformative experience of the most populous country in the world, and will grasp the complexity of the progress and problems behind the rise of China to a world superpower in less than 30 years.
Written by an author who lived in China for three decades, this encyclopedia addresses 16 key topics regarding China, such as its geography, government, social classes and ethnicities, gender-based identities, arts, media, and food, each followed by roughly 250 short entries related to each topic. All the entries are placed within a broad sociopolitical and socioeconomic contextual framework. The format and writing consistency through the book reflects a Chinese perspective, and allows students to compare Chinese with Western and American views.
Reviews / Votes
It is refreshing to see a work that tries to provide a multitude of perspectives in understanding a nation's personality. Each entry is clear, well organized, and highly readable, making it accessible to readers without a background on China. Recommended for high school students and general readers looking for an introduction to modern China and its peoples. * Booklist, Starred Review * [T]his is a solid introduction to China in the modern context. Summing Up: Recommended. Undergraduates and other beginning students; general readers. * Choice *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
30 bw illus
Dimensions
Height: 260 mm
Width: 183 mm
Thickness: 29 mm
Weight
1032 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-61069-625-8 (9781610696258)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
Xiaobing Li, PhD, is professor and chair of the department of history and geography and director of the Western Pacific Institute at the University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond.
Content
Series Foreword
Note on Transliteration
Abbreviations
Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1: Geography
Overview
Climate
Disputed Islands and Territories
Himalayas
Hong Kong
Huang (Yellow) River
Major Cities
Manchuria
Natural Resources
Pollution and the Environment
Population
South China Sea
Taiwan
The Three Gorges Project
Tibetan Plateau
Transportation and Water Conservancy
Xinjiang
Yangzi (Yangtze) River
Chapter 2: History
Overview
Timeline
Cai Lun and Four Great Inventions
Chiang Kai-shek
Cixi and the Boxer Rebellion
Confucius
Deng Xiaoping
Genghis Khan and Kublai Khan
Han Wudi (Martial Emperor)
Hu Jintao
Jiang Zemin and Sino-U.S. Relations
Kangxi
Laozi (Lao-tsu)
Lin Zexu and the Opium War
Mao Zedong
Marco Polo
Qin Shihuang (The First Emperor)
Sun Yat-sen
Sunzi (Sun-tsu)
Tang Taizong
Terra-Cotta Army
Zheng He (Cheng Ho)
Chapter 3: Government and Politics
Overview
Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
Civil Rights
Constitution
Corruption and Punishment
Criminal Law
Death Penalty
First Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)
Human Rights
Law Enforcement
Li Keqiang
Liu Xiaobo
National People's Congress (NPC)
People's Armed Police (PAP)
People's Liberation Army (PLA)
Political Dissents
Provincial and County Governments
Supreme People's Court
Xi Jinping
Chapter 4: Economy
Overview
Agriculture
Cost Production
Energy Industry
Exports
Financial Institutions
Foreign Investment
International Trade Policies
Joint Ventures
Land and Household Policy
Manufacturing
Migrant Laborers
Pirating and Copyright Issues
Renminbi and Currency Exchange
Reserve and Foreign Debts
Service Industry
Sino-U.S. Trade and Other Trading Partners
State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs)
Trade Union and Labor Movement
Workplace Safety
WTO and Stock Exchanges
Chapter 5: Religion and Thought
Overview
Buddhism
Catholicism
Christianity
Confucianism
Dalai Lama
Daoism (Taoism)
Falun Gong
Feng-Shui
Islam
Underground Churches
Chapter 6: Social Class and Ethnicity
Overview
Aging Population
Health Care
Major Ethnic Groups
Middle Class
Mongols
Muslims
Poverty
Retirement and Social Welfare
Rural-Urban Conflicts
Urban Poor
Uyghur
Chapter 7: Gender, Marriage, and Sexuality
Overview
All-China Women's Federation (ACWF)
Child Labor
Domestic Violence
Dowry and Bride-Wealth
Family Planning Law
Gender Imbalance
Gender Inequality
Homosexuality
Human Trafficking
Marriage Law
One-Child Policy
Selective Abortions
Sex Trade
Traditional Wedding
Chapter 8: Education
Overview
Elementary and Secondary Education
Foreign Exchange Programs
National College Entrance Examination (NCEE)
Peking (Beijing) University
Private vs. Public Education
Project 211 and Key Universities
Qinghua (Tsing-hua) University
Returning Students
Chapter 9: Language
Overview
Chinese Characters
Hanyu Pinyin
Local Dialects
Mandarin
Chapter 10: Etiquette
Overview
Chinese Names
Chinese Zodiac
Chopsticks
Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches
Ketou: Bowing
Lunar-Solar Calendar
Symbols of Auspice in Tradition
Table Manners
Chapter 11: Literature and Drama
Overview
Ancient Mythology
Ba Jin
A Dream of Red Mansions
Fictions of the Ming and Qing Dynasties
Guo Moruo
Journey to the West
Outlaws of the Marsh
Peking Opera
Romance of Three Kingdoms
Tang-Song Poetry
Vari-Drama of the Yuan Dynasty
Chapter 12: Art and Architecture
Overview
Chinese Silk and the Silk Road
The Great Wall
Jade Carving
Pagodas, Palaces, and Temples
Tang Pottery and Song Porcelain
Traditional Chinese Painting
Chapter 13: Music and Dance
Overview
Folk Dance
Modern Chinese Dance
Traditional Instruments
Chapter 14: Food
Overview
Cantonese Dim Sum
Holiday Feasts
Hunan and Sichuan Cooking Styles
Chapter 15: Leisure and Sports
Overview
Acupuncture, Moxibustion, and Narcotherapy
Alcoholic Beverages
Chinese Chess
Chinese Herbs and Alternative Medicine
Chinese Tea
The Game of Go
Qi-Gong
Tai-Chi Quan
2008 Beijing Olympics
Wushu: Martial Arts
Chapter 16: Media and Popular Culture
Overview
Censor System
Cyber Policing
Freedom of Speech
Internet and Social Media
Movies and Film Industry
National Broadcasting Networks
Netizen and Online Guerrilla
State-Owned Newspapers
Appendix A: A Day in the Life
A Day in the Life of a Factory Worker
A Day in the Life of a Farmer
A Day in the Life of a High School Student
A Day in the Life of a Housewife
A Day in the Life of a PLA Soldier
Appendix B: Glossary of Key Terms
Appendix C: Facts and Figures
Appendix D: Holidays
Selected Bibliography
Index
Note on Transliteration
Abbreviations
Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1: Geography
Overview
Climate
Disputed Islands and Territories
Himalayas
Hong Kong
Huang (Yellow) River
Major Cities
Manchuria
Natural Resources
Pollution and the Environment
Population
South China Sea
Taiwan
The Three Gorges Project
Tibetan Plateau
Transportation and Water Conservancy
Xinjiang
Yangzi (Yangtze) River
Chapter 2: History
Overview
Timeline
Cai Lun and Four Great Inventions
Chiang Kai-shek
Cixi and the Boxer Rebellion
Confucius
Deng Xiaoping
Genghis Khan and Kublai Khan
Han Wudi (Martial Emperor)
Hu Jintao
Jiang Zemin and Sino-U.S. Relations
Kangxi
Laozi (Lao-tsu)
Lin Zexu and the Opium War
Mao Zedong
Marco Polo
Qin Shihuang (The First Emperor)
Sun Yat-sen
Sunzi (Sun-tsu)
Tang Taizong
Terra-Cotta Army
Zheng He (Cheng Ho)
Chapter 3: Government and Politics
Overview
Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
Civil Rights
Constitution
Corruption and Punishment
Criminal Law
Death Penalty
First Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)
Human Rights
Law Enforcement
Li Keqiang
Liu Xiaobo
National People's Congress (NPC)
People's Armed Police (PAP)
People's Liberation Army (PLA)
Political Dissents
Provincial and County Governments
Supreme People's Court
Xi Jinping
Chapter 4: Economy
Overview
Agriculture
Cost Production
Energy Industry
Exports
Financial Institutions
Foreign Investment
International Trade Policies
Joint Ventures
Land and Household Policy
Manufacturing
Migrant Laborers
Pirating and Copyright Issues
Renminbi and Currency Exchange
Reserve and Foreign Debts
Service Industry
Sino-U.S. Trade and Other Trading Partners
State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs)
Trade Union and Labor Movement
Workplace Safety
WTO and Stock Exchanges
Chapter 5: Religion and Thought
Overview
Buddhism
Catholicism
Christianity
Confucianism
Dalai Lama
Daoism (Taoism)
Falun Gong
Feng-Shui
Islam
Underground Churches
Chapter 6: Social Class and Ethnicity
Overview
Aging Population
Health Care
Major Ethnic Groups
Middle Class
Mongols
Muslims
Poverty
Retirement and Social Welfare
Rural-Urban Conflicts
Urban Poor
Uyghur
Chapter 7: Gender, Marriage, and Sexuality
Overview
All-China Women's Federation (ACWF)
Child Labor
Domestic Violence
Dowry and Bride-Wealth
Family Planning Law
Gender Imbalance
Gender Inequality
Homosexuality
Human Trafficking
Marriage Law
One-Child Policy
Selective Abortions
Sex Trade
Traditional Wedding
Chapter 8: Education
Overview
Elementary and Secondary Education
Foreign Exchange Programs
National College Entrance Examination (NCEE)
Peking (Beijing) University
Private vs. Public Education
Project 211 and Key Universities
Qinghua (Tsing-hua) University
Returning Students
Chapter 9: Language
Overview
Chinese Characters
Hanyu Pinyin
Local Dialects
Mandarin
Chapter 10: Etiquette
Overview
Chinese Names
Chinese Zodiac
Chopsticks
Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches
Ketou: Bowing
Lunar-Solar Calendar
Symbols of Auspice in Tradition
Table Manners
Chapter 11: Literature and Drama
Overview
Ancient Mythology
Ba Jin
A Dream of Red Mansions
Fictions of the Ming and Qing Dynasties
Guo Moruo
Journey to the West
Outlaws of the Marsh
Peking Opera
Romance of Three Kingdoms
Tang-Song Poetry
Vari-Drama of the Yuan Dynasty
Chapter 12: Art and Architecture
Overview
Chinese Silk and the Silk Road
The Great Wall
Jade Carving
Pagodas, Palaces, and Temples
Tang Pottery and Song Porcelain
Traditional Chinese Painting
Chapter 13: Music and Dance
Overview
Folk Dance
Modern Chinese Dance
Traditional Instruments
Chapter 14: Food
Overview
Cantonese Dim Sum
Holiday Feasts
Hunan and Sichuan Cooking Styles
Chapter 15: Leisure and Sports
Overview
Acupuncture, Moxibustion, and Narcotherapy
Alcoholic Beverages
Chinese Chess
Chinese Herbs and Alternative Medicine
Chinese Tea
The Game of Go
Qi-Gong
Tai-Chi Quan
2008 Beijing Olympics
Wushu: Martial Arts
Chapter 16: Media and Popular Culture
Overview
Censor System
Cyber Policing
Freedom of Speech
Internet and Social Media
Movies and Film Industry
National Broadcasting Networks
Netizen and Online Guerrilla
State-Owned Newspapers
Appendix A: A Day in the Life
A Day in the Life of a Factory Worker
A Day in the Life of a Farmer
A Day in the Life of a High School Student
A Day in the Life of a Housewife
A Day in the Life of a PLA Soldier
Appendix B: Glossary of Key Terms
Appendix C: Facts and Figures
Appendix D: Holidays
Selected Bibliography
Index