China story package explores 30 years of reform and the uncertain way ahead

Reuters delivered a rich package of stories in the week of December 8 that explored China’s development in the 30 years since it launched market reforms, and the social and political risks it faces now that its pell-mell growth is slowing. The stories looked at how 30 years of change have created opportunities for individuals, damaged the environment, changed the aspirations of China’s young and sparked the development of a social safety net. The danger for China’s rulers, is that they have created expectations of growth and wealth for all that they might not be able to deliver, threatening unrest and their grip on power. These insights are crucial for investors working in China and those outside the country watching its impact on the global economy.