ABSTRACT
The contrast between the economies of China and Japan was vast: one slowly emerging from Stalinism, the other well established as a major player in the capitalist world. The Chinese leaders were seeking to establish their own relationship with that world, but on their own terms. They remained conscious of the disadvantages suffered by many ‘third world’ countries; and highly critical of the apparently relentless pursuit of profit by American and European business and government. Articles published in the Chinese media in the summer and autumn of 1983 suggest that the decision to encourage FDI in China was taken against the background of serious debate and a critical analysis of current trends in the global economy.
