The Middle Class in China (2)

by Tzy C. Peng

	What is life like for the Chinese middle class?

	Remember what life was like during the great depression in the US around 
the early 1930s?  History tells us that there was 25% unemployment. Many 
people lived on make-work jobs created by the government.  Hardship of 
various degrees existed for most households.  Everybody, including 
children, had to pitch in to contribute to the family income or simply do 
away with all non-essential expenses, particularly those of entertainment. 
 Such harsh living conditions in America during the great depression were 
conditions of everyday Chinese during the disastrous cultural revolution 
(1966-76) in China. Of course, the consequence of the failed cultural 
revolution included not just economic but also politcal and spiritual 
aspects of life as well.

	Compared to the living conditions during the cultural revolution and 
immediately thereafter, today's life in China, as far as ordinary Chinese 
are concerned, is nothing short of a miracle. Many people in their 50s 
and 60s remembered and described to me how the improvement progressed in 
the last 25 years or so.  In their own words, an average family had: 

-  From 1977 to 1984, one small room without telephone, water 
supply, cooking facilities, and indoor toilets, but did have 
an old radio, a watch or clock, bicycles and some books,

-  From 1985 to 1993, two or three small rooms with  water 
supplies, black/white televisions, gas stoves for  cooking, 
and most importantly, indoor toilet facilities. They also 
had washing machines, refrigerators and high fidelity 
record-playing systems. 

- From 1994 to 2001, 3-6 medium size rooms in suburban 
highrise apartments with modern gas ranges, washing 
machines, large refrigerators, color televisions, full bath rooms 
with flushing toilets, stereosound systems, regular and mobile 
phones, personal computers, with e-mail and website 
services.

	In terms of public facilities, typical large or some medium cities are 
equipped with buses, subways, and streets full of taxi-cabs. Private cars 
begin to appear in increasing frequency.  Meanwhile, bicycles and 
commercial tricycles are being restricted on main throughfares and are 
disappearing.  Public toilets are sanitized.  Street venders, still 
numerous, are organized into designated stables. 

	Inter-city and inter-province travel are provided for by high speed 
highways, railways, and airlines. The newly built high speed highways are 
similar to the US Interstate, are mostly toll roads for self-financing. 
Railways are mostly double tracking allowing faster speed and more 
frequent schedules.  Trains are electrified and are generally fast and 
clean.  More than a dozen national and regional airlines are operating. 
Purchasing an airline ticket no longer requires "official connections".
What is next?  For an average family, people are looking for up-to-date 
air-conditioners, computers with DVD accessories, cell phones, private 
cars, and a private villa with a garden. In addition, the recent trend 
is toward vacation travel either domestic or abroad.  Many Chinese are now 
beginning to understand what "tourism or being a tourist" means.  For 
major holidays [Chinese New Year, Labor day (May 1), and National day 
(October 1)], tickets for transportation and hotel reservations have to be 
arranged one week ahead of time.  Otherwise, the vacation encompasses 
staying home and watching TV. How do you like that? (to be continued)