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. Blogs from Emei Shan Latest
Blogs from Emei Shan - March 2nd 2013 Emei Shan - foggy on top
and icy on the way down... by Words: 1633 Photos: 23 - November
5th 2012 Giant Buddha's and Misty Mountains - just another day
on the road... by