The Second Revolution

Deng's reforms are taking China on a courageous if uncharted course

Five years ago, Ju Songzhen was an agricultural worker in a village in Shanxi province. He had a reputation as a can-do fellow, but, like his neighbors, he was earning not much more than $30 a month. Then, in response to a daring new government policy that encouraged country people to develop their own moneymaking projects, Ju began building and marketing metal frames for the battery chargers used by local coal miners. Soon demand for his high-quality but economical merchandise started to snowball. Customers multiplied; orders boomed. By 1984, thanks to his success in manufacturing a product that the country badly...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!