APCoGo China

Hong Kong

A region in China that was previously under UK control. Beijing promised the region economic and political freedoms but has increasingly encroached on them.

Uyghurs

An ethnic turkic-muslim group living in xinjiang. The Chinese government has increasingly discriminated against this group, being accused of genocide by other countries.

Tiananmen Square

A student protest for more democratic rights devolved into a violent crackdown under Deng Xiaoping. Catalyzed by the death of Hu Yaobin, a former CCP general secretary and encourager of reform.

Taiwan (Republic of China)

The island the nationalist party fled to after being ousted by mao; this democratic country has become a close ally of the US

Tibet

A region in southern China which has been under heavy surveillance by the government for its religious practices, and devotion to the Dalai Lama.

New Silk Road

alternate name for the belt & road initiative

Belt & Road Initiative

an economic plan to restore china’s former power and influence across the globe by funding projects in developing countries worldwide, often with the price of sovereignty/control of the ports/railroads built

One Child Policy

The government’s attempt to curb overpopulation. The restriction has since been updated.

Gender Imbalance

A demographic consequence of China’s one child policy.

Xi Jinping Thought

political theory that “builds on and enriches” existing CCP ideology. combines Chinese socialism with nationalism

2 Child & 3 Child Policies

The updated policies after the one child policy caused a gender imbalance.

Intellectual Property

Foreign companies’ rights to this will not be protected on Chinese soil. The government has recently begun protecting its citizens’ rights to this to incourage innovation and economic development.

Chiang Kaishek

The last leader of the nationalist party/Kuomintang before the CCP took power.

Republic of China/Chinese Taipei

Taiwan’s alternate names.

Nationalist Party

The ruling party before the CCP. Corrupt, but supported by the US to keep communism at bay.

General Secretary

The highest position within the chinese communist party

Politburo Standing Committee

The 7 most powerful men in China under Xi Jinping. All members of the CCP

Politburo

The decision-making committee. 24 members

Central Committee

The “board of directors” (~370) who act as the decision-making committee and are selected by the nat’l PARTY congress. this group selects the politburo, who select the politburo standing committee

National Party Congress

The entire body of the chinese communist party. NOT the national PEOPLE’s congress (legislature)

Mao Zedong

The first leader of the PRC; led the CCP against the nationalist forces. Attempted reforms and rapid industrialization through communism.

People’s Republic of China

The official name for mainland china

Chinese Communist Party

The dominant political party in china.

Unitary

China’s government system.

Beijing

The capital of China. The government is also referred to as this city.

Surveillance State

China’s extensive use of data tracking, security cameras, and internet usage has dubbed it this.

Economic Legitimacy

the economy is always a major issue that any good government should address. China has focused on building this as of late

1 China 2 Systems

The economic/political policy beijing has promised hong kong.

Fang Shou

Theory of loosening and tightening of control by the government

Guanxi

China’s patron-client system. Membership in the communist party and having connections to move up in Chinese society

Socialism With Chinese Characteristics

AKA Chinese leninism; the theory of communism practiced by the CCP— mixes Chinese cultural values and capitalism to an extent with communist methods

Tariffs

These have been imposed on China by many countries, especially the US, sometimes perceived as economic warfare

Chairman Central Military Commission

Leader of the Chinese military/people’s liberation army

People’s Liberation Army

The Chinese military/armed wing of the CCP: protects the country from foreign powers but also puts the party’s interests first

Mass Line

China’s version of democratic centralism—decision-making by the top of government based allegedly on what the public wants.

Great Leap Forward

Mao Zedong’s attempt to rapidly industrialize rural areas by giving agricultural workers manufacturing jobs. Failed and resulted in the Great Famine

Cultural Revolution

Mao’s attempt to instill a revolutionary spirit and love of communism in Chinese youth by encouraging corruption purges and rooting out capitalism

Umbrella Movement

Movement in Hong Kong advocating for the territory’s autonomy; refers to the use of this object to deter pepper spray from riot police

Jiang Zemin

Third leader of Communist china; coined the “three represents”: china’s advanced culture; the interests of the majority of Chinese people; the advancement of chinese production

Falun Gong

A religious/spiritual movement banned by the CCP for its anti-communist views; right-wing/conservative stances. founded by li hongzhi and promoted as a form of exercise

Hu Jintao

jiang zemin’s successor

Floating Population

china’s mobile population of migrant workers

Hukou System

a housing registration system; allows for citizens to receive government benefits. also used as a way to control the floating population

Princeling

someone who was born into privilege because of wealthy/powerful parents in China. (ex. Xi Jinping)

Winnie the Pooh

A character often satirically compared to Xi Jinping. banned in China for mockery of the CCP leader

SEZ (Special Economic Zones)

Started by Deng Xiaoping. Designated ports/areas where communist law did not apply; designed to attract foreign investment

SOE (State-Owned Enterprise)

Parts of the economy that are partly or fully controlled by the Chinese government

Deng Xiaoping

Never officially president, but prominent Chinese leader who opened up the economy to capitalism. Most of his power came from being Chairman of the Central Military Commission; cracked down on Tiananmen Square.

State

The weakest of China’s three power structures. Presidency and premiership are mostly ceremonial titles.

Pyramid of power in the State

President ← state council (cabinet) ← central committee (205) ← national people’s congress (legislature)

National people’s Congress

Largest legislative body in the world; unicameral. According to the constitution, the legislature is the most powerful branch of government. Only meets for two weeks per year