China in Ten Words

To fully appreciate the historical context and themes explored in Yu Hua’s China in Ten Words, it is helpful to understand four key events and periods in modern Chinese history: The Great Leap Forward, The Great Chinese Famine, The Cultural Revolution, and The Reform and Opening Up period.

The Great Leap Forward (1958-1962) was an ambitious economic and social campaign launched by the Chinese Communist Party under the leadership of Mao Zedong. The campaign aimed to transform China rapidly from an agrarian economy into a socialist society through the collectivization of agriculture and the development of industry. However, the Great Leap Forward’s unrealistic goals, coupled with poor planning and implementation, led to widespread economic disruption and a severe decline in agricultural output.

The failure of the Great Leap Forward directly contributed to the Great Chinese Famine (1959-1961), one of the deadliest famines in human history. The famine claimed the lives of an estimated 15 to 55 million people; some scholars suggest even higher figures. The causes of the famine were complex, including the disruption of agricultural production, the diversion of resources to industry, and the government’s failure to respond effectively to the crisis. The Great Chinese Famine left an indelible mark on the nation’s collective memory and continues to shape public

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