Introduction : rebuilding a welfare system for China's mixed economy

Prior to its economic reform in 1978, China experienced great social and political turmoil as its leader Zedong Mao launched a nationwide ‘Cultural Revolution’, attacking ideologies and economic practices that violated Marxist doctrines. The Cultural Revolution marked one of the darkest times in Chinese history as the entire country was driven to engage in class struggles. All citizens were involved in political campaigns for getting rid of persons suspected of being followers of capitalism, against the communist party or against the proletarian revolution. Political repression had ‘affected absolutely all tiers of government’; and ‘the country was thoroughly disrupted’ (Abramyan 2008: 97). As a result of the Cultural Revolution, millions of people died and little effort was paid by the government to develop China’s economy between 1966 and 1976. By the end of the Cultural Revolution in 1976, China had devolved into being one of the most backward and poorest countries in the world.