Introduction: The Changing Chinese Society

The year 2009 marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the People's Republic of China. According to the Chinese Lunar Calendar, 60 years marks the beginning of a new cycle, or Samsara. Since being established in 1949 — and especially since the reform and opening up 30 years ago — China has experienced the most drastic changes ever in its 5,000-year history. During this time, China has transformed from an agricultural society into an emerging, dynamic, and industrialized nation and has undergone rapid urbanization. Chinese people's standard of living continues to rise and is taking rapid strides forward to a higher level of comprehensive well-being. The population structure has had a historic transformation with a low birth rate, low mortality rate, and low growth rate. The average life expectancy has reached the level of many developed countries, and China has changed from a poor and overpopulated nation to great nation rich in human resources. Hundreds of millions of Chinese people have been freed from poverty, which has made a significant contribution to lowering global poverty levels. The social security system covering urban and rural residents is taking shape, which will greatly improve the situation of Chinese farmers — a still large proportion of the Chinese population…