DRAFT - NOT FOR QUOTATION - 17 March 2009 Socio-Demographic Indicators Year Human Development Index 2005 Value 0.

777a 2005 2005 81a 0.776a 2005 72a

Human Development Index, Rank Gender-related Development Index

Gender-related Development Index, Rank Population Mid-year (In millions) Rate of Natural Increase (%) 2008 2008 0.5b 71/75b

1,324.7b

Life Expectancy (Male/Female) 2008

Sources: aUNDP (2007); bPopulation Reference Bureau (2008)

Economic Indicators GDP Growth Rate (%)

Year 2006

Value 10.7c 2005 2007 --6,757a 5,370b

GDP Per Capita (PPP US$) GNI PPP Per Capita (US$) Unemployment Rate ---

Sources: aUNDP (2007); bPopulation Reference Bureau (2008); cADB (2007)

With the opening of its market to the outside world in the late 1970s, China now fosters a market economy with socialist characteristics. China had been one of the best-performing economies in Asia during the past decade. It became a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001. Between 2003 and 2006, the country recorded a strong economic performance driven by strong investment. Although China has appreciably reduced rural poverty over the past years, many of its people in rural areas still live in poverty. Chinese leaders began to realize the need to address the social costs of growth such as the growing income inequality between urban and rural dwellers. Hence, emphasis is being placed on improving conditions of rural residents who have less benefited from the countrys economic growth.