THE NEW CHINA - 1988

This vintage 1988 Chinese educational film provides a compelling snapshot of China during a moment of rapid change—a nation poised between its storied past and a future of global ambition. Filmed on 16mm and narrated in the factual classroom style of its time, it explores China’s population, world position, and cultural identity, encouraging students to compare “then versus now.”

In 1988, China’s population stood at approximately 1.1 billion people. Nearly 30 percent were children under 15, reflecting the country’s youthful demographic and limited urbanization. During this era, China was emerging from decades of isolation and beginning its reform and opening-up period under Deng Xiaoping. Factories modernized, rural communities shifted toward market systems, and the nation cautiously stepped into global trade.

Today, China’s transformation is staggering. With a population exceeding 1.4 billion, the country has become one of the largest economies in the world, a leader in manufacturing, technology, and infrastructure. Yet with progress came new challenges: an aging population, urban-rural inequality, and cultural tensions between modernization and tradition.

For students researching China’s historical development, key points include:

Population (1988): about 1.1 billion

Population (today): over 1.4 billion

Youth share (1988): roughly 30 %

Economic position: rising industrial power in 1988 → global superpower today

Cultural evolution: from collectivist identity to a blend of global influence and national heritage

By the late 20th century, China’s culture began reaching beyond its borders. In 1988, exports were largely industrial goods—but today, China exports film, fashion, food, design, and digital media to audiences worldwide. From the rise of Chinese cinema and contemporary art to popular apps, architecture, and global tourism, the nation’s soft power now rivals its economic might. What once was a classroom lesson about a “developing nation” has become a study in how culture and technology can reshape global identity.

This short film captures China at a crossroads—its people looking forward with optimism while still deeply connected to centuries of tradition.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This film is presented for historical and educational purposes only. Information and tone reflect the period’s data, political framing, and world perspective.

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