Discuss China in Terms of Being the Middle Kingdom, ...

WORLD GEOGRAPHY Discuss China in terms of being the â€Å"Middle Kingdom,† population growth issues, and industrialization. The term Zhongguo, when translated from Mandarin to English means Middle Kingdom or the Center of the Universe. Zhongguo in ancient Chinese history was once believed to be the center of civilization. Dating back from 1000 BC the Chinese were of the view that they were indeed the center of the whole world. The Chou people who occupied the Middle Kingdom during this time were oblivious of the civilizations to the West. Because of the mindset of these people in the Center of The Universe, the introduction of Industrialization shatter these beliefs that they held firm. Industrialization in China was delayed. One can†¦show more content†¦The Great Leap was a disaster, which brought about millions of death and more. This was due to abandonment of farmers tending to their farms, coupled with the drought-based famine that the country was experiencing. Economic Regression and negative growth was noticed, the death rate rose higher than the birth rate and the population experienced five years of natural decrease. Between 1962 and 1980 the catastrophe of he Great Leap Forward was follow by a baby boom in the mid 1960 and the economy was on its way to recovery. Around the 1970’s after noticing that the growing population threated to outgrow the available resources, politicians sought to bring about a decrease in family size, thus bringing about the One Child Policy. Between 1980 and 1990 with the success of the rigid one child policy, birthrates still were on a decrease, but there was a minimal rise in 1984. Today in China, the overall life expectancy has sky rocketed, fertility has declined to the point of concern and the population is rapidly aging. It is very likely that there is a strong possibility that the government will soon have to consider a three child policy, given that in recent times a two child policy have been offered in many districts to avoid the issues and aging population can have. Throughout all that China has endured in the past, it still continues to be a nation to be reckoned with.