Great Changes

Qiaohuan Ruan (Karen) 

ESL 100 

November 04, 2023 

           My grandmother always tells me that I am a part of the happy generation, and I should cherish my life. The Ten-Year Cultural Revolution from 1966-1976 had a negative effect in China. The country had low productivity and was short of material, and people had a low level of education. People did not even have enough food and clothing. Even if people had money, it was difficult to buy necessities. They got issued tickets for food and clothing. It was part of the communist country because the government wanted everything to be equal for everyone. However, it did not work and impeded social development. At that time, changing that situation to improve the quality of life of people was a crucial part in China. The premier named Deng Xiaoping brought up the policy that was Reform and Opening-up Policy in China, directed at economy and education. Because of this policy, there was a significant impact on my family. 

         After the economic opening in China, the quality of life in my family had improved significantly. Before that time, the government used the Planned Economy Policy, so people could just use the tickets to buy supplies, and they lived a low quality of life. When the government carried out the Reform and Opening-up Policy, people did not need tickets to buy supplies, such as food and clothing. Because everything was limited, people struggled to get the food and clothing they needed. My family suffered from hunger, and they needed to take turns getting new clothing every year. Afterwards, the government started to cancel the Planned Economy Policy and supported people to run private businesses in 1978. For example, my grandfather ran a business to earn money to buy supplies, so my family did not need to suffer from hunger anymore. In addition, my family could afford and use advanced household appliances. Nevertheless, before the economic opening, people were bored because there was no entertainment. In general, people were poor, so it was difficult to buy any appliances. After my grandfather opened his business, he got money and bought some household appliances, such as a TV, refrigerator, washer which made our family’s life convenient. 

            Moreover, the government supported the development of education which changed my uncle’s fate. Because of the Cultural Revolution, the government was against education and canceled the university entrance examination. In addition, the people who were intellectuals suffered persecution because the government opposed academic authority. It had a negative effect, which prevented the development of China. When the government decided to carry out the Reform and Opening-up Policy, it resumed the university entrance examination first. My uncle was incredibly lucky to take part in the university entrance examination and entered the university in 1978. Because the economic policy was just opened, my family could not afford my uncle’s tuition. Fortunately, he finished university successfully under the government sponsorship. Then, he ran a business after graduating from university and his business was successful. He earned a lot of money and contributed to our hometown, so he is an influential person because of his contribution to the town. Due to advanced education, my uncle not only got rich, but also has had a meaningful life. 

           Finally, I also got the great benefits from the Reform and Opening-up Policy. The generation of my grandparents mostly was without education, and the generation of my parents mostly could only finish primary school because they could not afford the tuition. In order to improve the education level of people, the government decided to carry out nine years of compulsory education after it had a good economic condition to afford it. I am grateful that I could gain nine years of education for free. Additionally, I did not need to take part in the farm work because my parents ran a business after the economic opening. It was a burden to take part in the farming because there were no machines to support it. We did everything using our hands, so I was afraid when it was harvesting season. Under the Policy of Reform and Opening-up, I not only got free education, but also escaped from hard farming. 

           In conclusion, the Reform and Opening-up Policy in China had an extraordinary effect on my family. My family did not suffer from a lack of food and clothing, could gain a good education, and ran a business to earn money to boost the quality of life. The policy was an excellent choice and brought profound changes to Chinese people. Additionally, my family took advantage of this policy to develop, and that is why my family could get wonderful changes under this policy.