Description

China's race to industrialize has economically transformed the lives of those living in the major cities, but the environmental and social costs have been high.

Transcript

Life in Industrialized Guangzhou in China Male: China is fast industrializing its way out of poverty. This is the city of Guangzhou; it is one of China’s special economic development zones and is part of the world’s fastest growing economy. Male: After 15 years of negotiations, China has finally become a member of the World Trade Organization. China is now the world’s seventh biggest exporter and will have to submit the most pungent controls accompanying its trade. Male: Kay-Kay was born in Guangzhou. Kay-Kay: This is the kitchen. This is my parents’ bedroom. This is my bedroom, this is where I sleep. This is my pencil box. This is a high-class car. And this is me when I was a baby. Male: When Kay-Kay was born, China was already the world’s most populous country. While the Rio Summit completely ignored the issue of population, China had already tackled it head on, by introducing a one-child-only policy. Ten years ago, four generations in Kay-Kay’s family lived under one roof. The one child family system was having an impact. Like million of Chinese, Trong and Liang’s attention would focus on their only child. Kay-Kay would grow up as one of the so called generation of ‘little emperors’. Kay-Kay’s father, Liang worked in a paper mill that was obsolete, but China’s leaders were determined to industrialized first and worry about the environment later. One agreement reached at Rio was to help developing countries gain the technologies needed to limit environmental damage. Progress on cutting pollution has been made in China, but there has been no concerted global action. China’s rapid industrialization came at a price. Guangzhou became increasingly polluted. Kay-Kay: When I grow up, I want to have high heeled shoes and long hair and be a teacher. Female: We do not have high heels in your size. Female: They do not have high heels. We will buy ice cream instead. Male: For a time, Kay-Kay’s parents had to live apart during the working week. The congestion on the roads meant her father could not get to work on time. Male: Plans to build new towns and housing across China have been announced. Ten thousand locations, mainly in rural areas, have been selected as part of an ongoing plan to urbanize huge parts of the country. This announcement means the creation of millions of new jobs, but there are concerns that it will also lead to widespread environmental problems. Male: Soon, Kay-Kay’s father could afford a motorbike so he could once again live at home and drop Kay-Kay off at school in the mornings. But her parents’ long working hours meant an unusual childhood for Kay-Kay, one where she had to get used to spending her evenings alone.