大中華的社會發展：社會政策及管治挑戰 (Lecture 11)

The lecture 11 of General Education and Public Affairs Certificate Course (通識及公共事務證書課程) was held on 26 November 2011. The summary was shown as follow.

第十一課 (26 November 2011)

大中華的社會發展：社會政策及管治挑戰

莫家豪教授主講 (香港教育學院協理副校長、文理學院院長)

Professor Ka Ho Mok presented the topic “Economic Growth and Social Development: People’s Livelihood in China Mainland and Implications for Greater China Area”. He explained the economic growth aimed to rising people’s living standards but the social development aimed to raising people’s “Quality of Life”. It was related to “Redistribution Justice”.

Prof. Mok stated China’s Economic Success “Reality or Myth” that we needed to rethink the rapid economic growth caused social consequences such as environment pollution. And he said that it would be wrong impression on China if only considered on Beijing, Shanghai and other coastal cities.

In Post-Mao China, social mentality was changed to be personal choice and pragmatism. After 30-year “Opening Policy”, regional income disparity was observed. Eastern region of China (most coastal areas) had higher urbanization level and higher income in term of GDP.

Urban-Rural income disparity was happened even though peasants were benefited from the rural reforms of the late 1970’s and early 1980’s.

In urban area, intra-urban income disparity existed. The 3rd industry was highest income ratio.

Prof. Mok identified some implications for Greater China Area that we needed to rethink.

- China’s economic growth and mobility of people and capitals

- China’s rush to industrialization and damage to the environment

- China’s rise and the hegemonic control in the region

- China’s emerging as a world power: opportunity or threat?

Reference:

Prof MOK, Ka Ho Joshua 莫家豪 - https://oraas0.ied.edu.hk/rich/web/people_details.jsp?pid=112774

Centre for East Asian Studies at University of BRISTOL - http://www.bris.ac.uk/ceas/members/manage/mok.shtml