China’s Economic Transformation Part 1: Economic Reform and Growth in China

Seize the savings! Get 40% off 3 months of Coursera Plus and full access to thousands of courses.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

China’s Economic Transformation Part 1: Economic Reform and Growth in China

Instructor: Albert Park

13,120 already enrolled

Included with

Learn more

6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

203 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

203 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

7 assignments

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

There are 6 modules in this course

In 1978, after nearly 30 years of socialist planning under Mao Zedong, China was one of the world’s poorest countries, saddled with an inefficient, inward-looking economy. Today, China is an upper-middle income country and the world’s largest trading nation, contributing more to global economic growth than any other nation. How could such a remarkable transformation take place?

This course will examine in detail the reforms that have contributed to China’s economic development and the current challenges facing the Chinese economy. After completing this course, you will be able to: - describe the origin and consequences of China’s key economic reforms since 1978; - explain how features of China’s fiscal and financial systems have impacted development outcomes; - assess the extent to which China has integrated itself into the global economy and the consequences of such integration for China and other countries; - explain the importance of different sources of economic growth during different periods since 1978; and - critically assess the economic and policy challenges facing China going forward. This course does not offer certificate at the moment. Course Overview video: https://youtu.be/YBkhpvWUoIw

In this module, we will introduce you to China's gradualist reforms. But before you start with the lectures, please watch the Course Overview, review the Assignment and Grading page, and introduce yourself to other learners who will be studying this course with you.

What's included

8 videos3 readings1 assignment2 discussion prompts

8 videos Total 63 minutes

Course Overview 4 minutes
1.1 China’s Gradualist Reforms – An Introduction 4 minutes
1.2 Institutional Change – A Framework 8 minutes
1.3 Reform Overview 9 minutes
1.4 Decollectivization of Agriculture 10 minutes
1.5 The Rise and Fall of Township and Village Enterprises (TVEs) 10 minutes
1.6 The Problem of State-owned Enterprises 14 minutes
1.7 China’s Gradualist Reforms – Module Summary 5 minutes

3 readings Total 30 minutes

Assignments and Grading 10 minutes
Module 1 Course Reading 10 minutes
Module 1 Lecture References 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Quiz 1 30 minutes

2 discussion prompts Total 20 minutes

Discussion: Meet and Greet 10 minutes
Module 1 Discussion 10 minutes

In this module, we will focus on China's fiscal and financial system reform.

What's included

7 videos2 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt

7 videos Total 59 minutes

2.1 Fiscal and Financial System Reform – An Introduction 4 minutes
2.2 Fiscal Decentralization: Pros and Cons 10 minutes
2.3 Reforming the Fiscal System 8 minutes
2.4 The Soft Budget Constraint 11 minutes
2.5 Reforming the Financial System 13 minutes
2.6 Shadow Banking: Threat or Opportunity? 10 minutes
2.7 Fiscal and Financial System Reform – Module Summary 2 minutes

2 readings Total 20 minutes

Module 2 Course Reading 10 minutes
Module 2 Lecture References 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Quiz 2 30 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 10 minutes

Module 2 Discussion 10 minutes

In this module, we will focus on China's trade and foreign direct investment. Apart from regular lectures, we will visit firms in China to understand the impact of foreign direct investment on them. We will also have interviews and discussions with leading scholars to provide greater insight into what is happening in the areas of China's outbound foreign direct investment and the internationalization of the Renminbi.

What's included

10 videos2 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt

10 videos Total 109 minutes

3.1 Globalization: Trade and Foreign Direct Investment – An Introduction 5 minutes
3.2 International Trade: Performance and Policies 14 minutes
3.3 Trade and Development 16 minutes
3.4 Foreign Direct Investment 16 minutes
3.5 Foreign Direct Investment – Firm Visits in China 18 minutes
3.6 China’s Outbound Foreign Direct Investment 6 minutes
3.7 China’s Outbound FDI – An Expert Discussion 13 minutes
3.8 Internationalization of the Renminbi 7 minutes
3.9 Internationalization of the Renminbi – An Expert Discussion 9 minutes
3.10 Globalization: Trade and FDI – Module Summary 4 minutes

2 readings Total 20 minutes

Module 3 Course Reading 10 minutes
Module 3 Lecture References 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Quiz 3 30 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 10 minutes

Module 3 Discussion 10 minutes

In this module, we will focus on China's economic growth and structural change.

What's included

6 videos2 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt

6 videos Total 49 minutes

4.1 Economic Growth and Structural Change – An Introduction 3 minutes
4.2 Sources of Growth 10 minutes
4.3 Structural Change 8 minutes
4.4 Resource Misallocation 14 minutes
4.5 Productivity Growth 11 minutes
4.6 Economic Growth and Structural Change – Module Summary 3 minutes

2 readings Total 20 minutes

Module 4 Course Reading 10 minutes
Module 4 Lecture References 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Quiz 4 30 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 10 minutes

Module 4 Discussion 10 minutes

In this module, we will focus on China's governance and current challenges. Apart from regular lectures, we will visit firms in China to understand the impact of rising wages on them.

What's included

9 videos2 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt

9 videos Total 83 minutes

5.1 Governance and Current Challenges – An Introduction 3 minutes
5.2 China’s Governance Puzzle 11 minutes
5.3 Incentivizing Local Leaders 14 minutes
5.4 Economic Challenges 11 minutes
5.5 Rebalancing Growth 12 minutes
5.6 Challenge of Rising Wages 9 minutes
5.7 Challenge of Rising Wages – Firm Visits in China 13 minutes
5.8 Governance and Current Challenges – Module Summary 3 minutes
5.9 Economic Reform and Growth in China – Conclusion 6 minutes

2 readings Total 20 minutes

Module 5 Course Reading 10 minutes
Module 5 Lecture References 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Quiz 5 30 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 10 minutes

Module 5 Discussion 10 minutes

Now is time to test your understanding on the entire course. Take the final exam and complete the post-course survey. Your valuable feedback will certainly help us improve future iterations of the course.

What's included

1 reading2 assignments

Instructor

Instructor ratings

(51 ratings)

Albert Park

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

1 Course 13,120 learners

Offered by

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Explore more from Economics

Status: Preview
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Chinese Politics Part 2 – China and the World
Course
Status: Preview
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Chinese Politics Part 1 – China and Political Science
Course
Status: Preview
O.P. Jindal Global University
Economics of Reforms and Regulations
Course
Status: Preview
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Understanding China, 1700-2000: A Data Analytic Approach, Part 1
Course

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018

"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020

"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.

Learner since 2021

"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Learner reviews

5 stars
84.72%
4 stars
13.30%
3 stars
1.47%
2 stars
0%
1 star
0.49%

Showing 3 of 203

Reviewed on Aug 19, 2018

A great course for anyone interested in learning about China. You can expect your perceptions of China, along with the driving forces behind China's rapid transformation, to be challenged.

Reviewed on May 11, 2019

An very informative and well-structured course. Excellent choice for those who want to understand more about the path of China's economic reform and development.

Reviewed on Jun 5, 2020

Very good course that helped me to deepen my understanding of the economic development of China. I'm looking forward for the second part.

View more reviews

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription

Learn more

Advance your career with an online degree

Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online

Explore degrees

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy

Learn more

Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.