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1 1 (October 10, 1997)

handle is hein.crs/crsaant0001 and id is 1 raw text is: 97-932 E
October 10, 1997
CRS Report for Congress
Received through the CRS Web
China's Economic Development: An Overview
Wayne M. Morrison
Specialist in International Trade and Finance
Economics Division

Summary

Since the initiation of economic and trade reforms in 1978, China has been one
of the world's fastest growing economies. According to Chinese data, real GDP grew
at an average annual rate of 10% between 1979 and 1996, increasing the real size of the
Chinese economy by five times its 1978 level and substantially raising Chinese living
standards. Much of China's recent economic growth has been driven by a high rate of
capital accumulation and large productivity gains, both largely the result of economic
reforms. Foreign investment and trade have played a major role in China's economic
growth. U.S.-China commercial relations have sharply expanded; China is now the 4th
largest U.S. trading partner. Many analysts predict that China's economy will likely
continue to experience rapid growth in the near future, especially if economic reforms
are expanded and deepened. As a result, the importance of China as a U.S. trading
partner could be greatly enhanced. U.S.-Chinese economic relations have been a major
issue in the annual congressional debate on extending China's most-favored-nation
(MFN) status, as well as congressional oversight of the Administration's policy towards
China's application to join the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Introduction
China's rapid rise as an economic and trade power has been of great interest to U.S.
policymakers, especially because such growth has led to a substantial increase in U.S-
China economic relations (as well as friction over a number of issues). The prospect of
future high levels of Chinese economic growth could have important ramifications for
U.S. economic interests. An overview of the causes of China's rapid growth is useful in
understanding the implications of China's future economic development.
China's Economy Prior to Economic Reforms
Prior to 1978, China maintained a relatively centrally planned, or command,
economy. Most of the country's production (industry, agriculture, etc.) was directed and
controlled by the central government which set production goals and controlled prices for
nearly all goods and services. The Chinese government sought to make China's economy

Congressional Research Service *** The Library of Congress

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