China 1990-2003 Trivia Quiz

Answer: 1992

In early 90s, the Chinese leadership was engaged in a bitter controversy about how fast the economy should grow. Deng made a southern tour where his reforms began, starting in Shenzhen. Deng delivered speeches praising the fast growth strategy. The controversy ended and China widened its doors even further reaching growth rates of over 9%.

Answer: Hu Jintao

It was Hu Jintao in a speech in late 2003. In the speech, Hu called the leadership for return to the old Maoist maxim of "Work hard and live plainly".

Answer: Nobody

Jiang Zeming retained the post in the 2003 leadership succession.

Answer: Shanghai

It was in Shanghai in 1999. Fortune Global Forum is held annually with the participation of CEOs of the 500 world biggest industrial enterprises, as in "Fortune Magazine". The 1999 Global Forum preceded the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the People's Republic of China and was the first major economic forum held in China sice the Deng Xiaoping reforms in early 80s.

In 2005 the Fortune Global Forum was again held in China, this time in Beijing.

Answer: Jiang Qing

Jiang Qing was the last Mao Zedong's wife, and former a film actress in Shanghai before joining the Communist guerillas in Yan'an. Jiang did not make any important films, but in the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) became the leader of the Gang of Four and tried to seize power after Mao's death in 1976. Shortly following Mao's death, the Gang of Four was arrested and tried for political crimes during the Cultural Revolution. Jiang was sentenced to death, later commuted to life imprisonment.

In the late 80s she was given house arrest.

A victim of throat cancer, she committed suicide by hanging herself in Beijing in 1991.

Answer: Yasakuni Shrine visits by the Japanese premier

In Yasakuni are buried high ranking Japanese army officers condemned as "first class criminals" after World War II. Many of the charges were for the Nanjing Massacre in 1937 in China. The Chinese consider that such visits by Japanese top officials and politicians are signs of denial regarding Japan's responsibility for the crimes - and as an insult to the victims and to the Chinese people generally.

Answer: Wu Yi

Wu Yi, formerly Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade was in charge for fighting the SARS.

Answer: Civet Cat

Scientists found traces of SARS virus in Civet Cats. The discovery caused a massive killing of the mammal in early 2004.

Answer: Mao Zedong and Jiang Zemin

He is often referred to as Chairman Mao. Only Jiang Zemin and Mao held the three posts simultaneously.

Answer: The return of Hong Kong's sovereignty to the Chinese from the British

Deng Xiaoping was the architect of the "one country, two systems" theory for the peaceful reunification, tailored to the recovery of sovereignty of the territories lost during the 1842-1949 period (Taiwan, Macao and Hong Kong). Deng was the leader of the negotiation team with the British, mainly Mrs. Margaret Thatcher, the British premier.

The return of Hong Kong took place om July 1st 1997. Deng could not see his dream realized, as he died on February 19th 1997.