Deng Xiaoping’s Reforms-Defence, Science & Tech

By: Lewis, Libby, Miyu, Nick

What is defence and science??

- One of the FOUR modernisations of China

- Defence of the country borders with the army

- The use of science and technology to improve their living standards.

Defence - Causes

1.Border incidents and tension with the USSR (Mid-1970’s)

2.Failed invasion of Vietnam in Feb 1979

- PLA had many weaknesses that needed to be fixedChina required:

- A modern capable army- Hierarchy system- Support of other reforms taking place.

The military

- Largest army in the world but lacked in military technology

- The government had to make nuclear research come to an end

... so what did they do?

End of 1970’s:

1.Army’s leadership restructured

2.More officers appointed to Central Military Commissions

3.Deng’s other reforms to contribute to the wellbeing, efficiency of the army

4.Increase the professionalism in army

5.To ensure party control of the PLA, civilians were appointed to positions.

Example: Salaries increased to compete in the civilian world

Q1: Who is the current leader of the Central Military Commission?

Q1 AnswerXi Jinping

- Current president of the People’s Republic

- Head of party, army, important member of CCP

Effects?

1989:

- Army swore loyalty to the CCP/leaders

- Supported the government against the Tiananmen massacre

- Integrated into economy and defence industries

Science and technology

1.Modernisation of science to direct China to be competitive in the world

2.To improve the standard living in China

3.China had to ensure access to world class technology

4.To have China’s economic development to proceed

What did the CCP have to do?

1.There was a need for more scientists, doctors, engineers, architects

2.Number of goals had to be put forward

3.1985: The government wanted to be only ten years behind the developed countries

4.Develop the centres used for experiments

5.To complete a nation wide system of science and tech research

Event

- The state sponsored research in innovation with business objectives

- China held a national science and technology conference

- Government commitment to become competitive

- State science and technology commission was created to this end

Effects

Mid 1980’s:

- Scientists could travel abroad, communicate internationally

- Created new technology ventures in China

- Incentive for scientists to join business world

- Commercializing new knowledge + technology

Q2: China’s economic reform began after which leader’s death? 1 Sun Yat-Sen

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2 Mao Zedong

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3 Chiang Kai-Shek

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The answer is …

Mao Zedong

Link between defence and science

Direct link:

- Centres of research that were being built/improved deeveloped new weapons for the army

- The government spending 10% on developing and buying new technology

- Increasing chances for scientists to be ‘global’

Problems in the development of defence science and technology

1.With changes in international affairs / hot competition in the high tech world, all countries are readjusting their defense strategy = unlikely that China can catch up to the developed countries in targeted years.

2.Deng’s economic reforms lead China to have inflation and corruption = decreasing chances for China to develop their tech further

Thanks for listening!