China's Middle class struggles to keep up

In the past decade China has seen the rise of a sizeable middle class, now estimated at between 100 and 150 million people.

They typically earn an income of at least $10,000 a year, tend to own an apartment and a car, eat out and take holidays.

While increased wealth has brought increased opportunity, it has left many trying to keep up with their peers.

Al Jazeera's Melissa Chan reports from From Beijing.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• China;
• Jazeera;
• Melissa
• Chan;
• Middle
• Class

[crazysillybaby1]

this is great news

[Katherine2011ism]

Yet in America, we possess so many FREEDOMS and RIGHTS, as our middle class slowly sinks into oblivion. It's all an illusion.

[ffdaasssd]

@ecwaufisxtreme sure ,not ...

[ieodksnw787]

@Nyro888

Yes it is - its what happens in a one-party state, where party membership is exclusive and sought after.

corruption and red tape are a part of daily life in China. You can't get anything done without knowing the right people or forking over cash. A friend of mine spent 3months salary on gifts and dinners for the principal of a kindergarten, just so her child could get in.

Also, no such thing as due process under the law, and a "constitutional rights" that are illusory at best

[truevoice08]

@runebagel LOL That's got to be the dumbest comment ever! I guess you believe the Communist Party has a musical instruction board!

[Nyro888]

@ieodksnw787 'I know more than you could ever know, how is none of your fucking business' ...You know what, this is how I know that you know shit all, because you can't back up your figures, with credible sources.

[Nyro888]

@ieodksnw787 There is a lot of corruption in China, which is responsible for the widening of the gap between rich and poor. You absolutely right about that, however corruption is not Chinese culture; it is human culture. Come on are you so naive as to believe that the leaders in your country are not corrupt to some degree? We are all cursed with the sin of greed.

[ieodksnw787]

Chinese society is utterly corrupt to the core - corruption is rooted in its very culture

[ieodksnw787]

@Nyro888

this is the 15% of its population, and are the only people who can afford homes in the major cities of Beijing, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. Only >5% of Chinese citizens even own a car

A great number of the 15% of China this program is talking about - those who have acquired a certain amt of personal wealth - made it thru corrupt means - nothing gets done in china w/o central gov't approval (police state, hello)

I know more than you could ever know, how is none of your fucking business

[Nyro888]

@ieodksnw787 And how do you know this? Are you Chinese? Do you live in China? Or are you just regurgitating news the west feeds you.