Country cousins
Article Abstract:
China has a low official unemployment rate for urban areas, and this disguises hidden employment as state enterprises contract. These enterprises provided pensions, health care, schooling and housing. Local government has taken on some of these roles, and workers are still tied to specific locations. Rural workers are freer to migrate, and take on low paid jobs in cities. They tend to be shorter due to eating poorly and take on work that workers shed from state enterprises do not want such as collecting rubbish. Household registration is neededfor migrant's families to obtain schooling, so families often remain in the countryside.
Publication Name: The Economist (UK)
Subject: Business, international
ISSN: 0013-0613
Year: 2000
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Now comes the hard part
Article Abstract:
China needs to carry out political reforms in order for its economy to prosper. There is a need for free speech and protection of intellectual and physical property. The government is committed to a market economy, and high rates of growth initially came as China caught up. Migration from rural areas is needed for productivity to increase in agriculture. There will be pressure for political change from increased integration into the world economy. Regional inequality and rural-urban disparities are serious problems. Federalism could develop in China. There is cause for concernat opportunities for corruption from privatization.
Publication Name: The Economist (UK)
Subject: Business, international
ISSN: 0013-0613
Year: 2000
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Whatever it is, we can't afford it
Article Abstract:
China has reformed its tax system, and aims the restrcuture the banking system. Central government is taking on bad debts and using asset management companies to restructure the debts. This policy is adding to the problems of public finance, and there are also pension liabilities. There are ideological obstacles to privatization. Control of bad debts and increases in tax revenue could allow public debt to remain at manageable levels, but a rise in bad debt and stagnation in tax revenues would create problems.
Publication Name: The Economist (UK)
Subject: Business, international
ISSN: 0013-0613
Year: 2000
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: City of hypocrites. Wider still, and why. My continent, right or wrong
- Abstracts: Give me your tired, your confused. The mixture as never before. The valley of money's delight
- Abstracts: Farmed out. Asia doesn't want. Of wheat and welfare
- Abstracts: Fuel cells hit the road. Batteries not included. How green is your hydrogen?
- Abstracts: CAP reforms: the Rural Development Policy (RDP). The agreement on Agenda 2000 reforms. The reform of the Common Fisheries Policy