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

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

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

Instructor: Albert Park

Skills you'll gain

Finance

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

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV

Share it on social media and in your performance review

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 videosTotal 63 minutes

Course Overview3 minutesPreview module
1.1 China’s Gradualist Reforms – An Introduction4 minutes
1.2 Institutional Change – A Framework8 minutes
1.3 Reform Overview9 minutes
1.4 Decollectivization of Agriculture9 minutes
1.5 The Rise and Fall of Township and Village Enterprises (TVEs)9 minutes
1.6 The Problem of State-owned Enterprises13 minutes
1.7 China’s Gradualist Reforms – Module Summary4 minutes

3 readingsTotal 30 minutes

Assignments and Grading10 minutes
Module 1 Course Reading10 minutes
Module 1 Lecture References10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Quiz 130 minutes

2 discussion promptsTotal 20 minutes

Discussion: Meet and Greet10 minutes
Module 1 Discussion10 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 videosTotal 58 minutes

2.1 Fiscal and Financial System Reform – An Introduction3 minutesPreview module
2.2 Fiscal Decentralization: Pros and Cons9 minutes
2.3 Reforming the Fiscal System8 minutes
2.4 The Soft Budget Constraint11 minutes
2.5 Reforming the Financial System13 minutes
2.6 Shadow Banking: Threat or Opportunity?9 minutes
2.7 Fiscal and Financial System Reform – Module Summary2 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Module 2 Course Reading10 minutes
Module 2 Lecture References10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Quiz 230 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Module 2 Discussion10 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 videosTotal 108 minutes

3.1 Globalization: Trade and Foreign Direct Investment – An Introduction5 minutesPreview module
3.2 International Trade: Performance and Policies14 minutes
3.3 Trade and Development16 minutes
3.4 Foreign Direct Investment15 minutes
3.5 Foreign Direct Investment – Firm Visits in China17 minutes
3.6 China’s Outbound Foreign Direct Investment6 minutes
3.7 China’s Outbound FDI – An Expert Discussion12 minutes
3.8 Internationalization of the Renminbi7 minutes
3.9 Internationalization of the Renminbi – An Expert Discussion9 minutes
3.10 Globalization: Trade and FDI – Module Summary4 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Module 3 Course Reading10 minutes
Module 3 Lecture References10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Quiz 330 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Module 3 Discussion10 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 videosTotal 49 minutes

4.1 Economic Growth and Structural Change – An Introduction3 minutesPreview module
4.2 Sources of Growth10 minutes
4.3 Structural Change8 minutes
4.4 Resource Misallocation13 minutes
4.5 Productivity Growth10 minutes
4.6 Economic Growth and Structural Change – Module Summary2 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Module 4 Course Reading10 minutes
Module 4 Lecture References10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Quiz 430 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Module 4 Discussion10 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 videosTotal 82 minutes

5.1 Governance and Current Challenges – An Introduction3 minutesPreview module
5.2 China’s Governance Puzzle10 minutes
5.3 Incentivizing Local Leaders13 minutes
5.4 Economic Challenges11 minutes
5.5 Rebalancing Growth11 minutes
5.6 Challenge of Rising Wages9 minutes
5.7 Challenge of Rising Wages – Firm Visits in China12 minutes
5.8 Governance and Current Challenges – Module Summary3 minutes
5.9 Economic Reform and Growth in China – Conclusion6 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Module 5 Course Reading10 minutes
Module 5 Lecture References10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Quiz 530 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Module 5 Discussion10 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

4.8 (47 ratings)

Albert Park

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

1 Course12,368 learners

Offered by

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

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

4.8

193 reviews

5 stars
84.97%
4 stars
12.95%
3 stars
1.55%
2 stars
0%
1 star
0.51%

Showing 3 of 193

Reviewed on Aug 20, 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 Apr 15, 2020

An exceedingly informativ and well structured course about the economic transformation of China. Don't think that this course lost any relevance in 2020!

Reviewed on May 14, 2020

Very good and useful course especially as it gives solution to the problems it raises. Would be happy to see part 2 of it.

View more reviews