Abstract:

"When Mao Zedong died in 1976, China's economy was threadbare and the Chinese were exhausted by decades of political turmoil. Less than twenty years later, China appeared to be a new country. Reinvigorated by the dynamism of its people, the largest nation on earth had finally become a world economic and military power. Through the voices of peasants, students, loyal revolutionaries, political prisoners and others, BORN UNDER THE RED FLAG examines modern China's epic journey to the dawn of the 21st century and its pursuit of two seemingly contradictory goals: economic strength and prosperity, and absolute Communist Party control. The interviews are woven together with rare archival footage, providing a unique look at one of the most astonishing transformations of a nation in world history." "Issues pertaining to the rise of social and economic reform in China in recent years are documented. The events leading up to the massacre at Tiananmen Square, the government's control of family planning, and the contributions of the late Premier Deng are among the topics addressed."