Session 5: Changes and developments in China

About the session

Date: June 2, 2021

Time: 14:00 – 14:40 (GMT+3)

Deng Xiaoping assumed the leadership of China in 1976 upon the death of the President Mao Ze Dong. Deng Xiaoping signifies a unique personality in world history who had a positive impact on the lives of the residents of China in a very short span of time with the reforms he realized in the country. Before Xiaoping, who took power after the cultural revolution, China only had 5% of the share in the global GNP. Xiaoping oriented towards development as a main task rather than political controversies and realized that state-controlled capitalism was the way to achieve this goal. Believing that power and social welfare could only be achieved by giving priority to economic development, Xiaoping pursued to rule according to his famous saying: “It doesn’t matter whether the cat is yellow or black as long as it catches the mouse.” He opened China to the world with the idea of “Chinese type socialism” under the slogan of “Reform and Openness.” He was set as an example in New York, London, and Hong Kong securities markets. China then became a member of all US-supported corporations including the World Bank, IMF, Asia Development Bank. He attracted foreign capital to the country by building special economic zones and supporting local initiatives to pave the way for the Chinese miracle. The People’s Republic of China continues its development today not only in the economy but also in sustainability studies to prevent further environmental damage.  

Moderator

Didem Eryar Ünlü, Coordinator, Columnist and Sustainability Editor at Dünya Gazetesi

Speakers

Dr. Altay Atlı, Atlı Global Founder and Managing Director

Fatih Oktay, Lecturer at Özyeğin University

Güven Sak, TEPAV Global, CEO