ABSTRACT
It is not possible to understand social changes in China separately from the stages and processes of economic development. China’s economic development during the period of reform and opening up is closely related with the processes and results of her unique demographic transformation. Economists, sociologists and demographers have studied China’s development and changes during this period from the view of their respective disciplines. On the one hand, since reform and opening up tremendous changes have occurred, and so there is happiness; on the other hand, many problems still exist, so there is worry. If we classify these dual views in accordance with the general characteristics of each discipline, the result is optimistic economics, pessimistic sociology and a demography that is far away from observing economic and social problems. Only if we examine these changes and developments as a whole, carrying out theoretical analysis, and recognize the historical and real trends of integration, can we really understand the essence of China’s development and recognize the origins of and solutions to various problems.
