Conducted by the Economic Prospect Center under the National Bureau of Statistics, the survey interviewed more than 900 residents in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, the three most modern cities in China, about the blueprint for China’s future.

Of those asked, 73.5 percent said they were aware of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 15th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held last month, when the plan was approved.

The figure shows that most people appreciate that the plan is vital for creating jobs and improving social security system and people’s livelihood.

Overall prospects for China were seen as positive by roughly three quarters of the people interviewed.

The Fifth Plenary Session of the 15th CPC Central Committee announced that China has become a “well-to-do society.”

The target of making China “a well-to-do society” was proposed by Deng Xiaoping, architect of China’s reform and opening up, in 1980. It aimed to redouble the gross national product (GNP) and increase standard disposable income to 2,400 yuan (US$290) per year in cities and to 1,200 yuan (US$145) per year in rural income.

Eighty-five percent of people asked about their perception of a “well-to-do-society” said they remember the goal set by Deng Xiaoping. Twenty-two percent were able to spell out the standards they expected from it.

People’s interpretations of “quality of life” varies, said the survey.

Forty percent were quite materialistic, placing economic stability, personal wealth, culture and the environment as high priorities.

Some 17 percent considered “well-to-do” meant adequate food and clothing.

The Five-Year Plan predicts that by 2010 China’s GNP will double and the GNP per capita will reach US$1,600 to US$2,000.

To this end, 92 percent believe the goal will be “completely” or “basically” met, only 8 percent remaining skeptical.

The survey concluded that most Chinese people’s futures are looking bright, with so many having faith in the country’s economic and social development.

(People’s Daily 11/17/2000)