The Taching oilfield : a Maoist model for economic development

Abstract

The Taching oilfield, discovered in the late 1950s, has become China's main producer of crude oil and a national model for all industry. This paper relates the history of this remarkable complex and its development from its discovery, through the disruptions of the Cultural Revolution up to the leading position it holds today. Mrs Chan analyses Taching's pattern of development and discusses its successes and failures. She extends her discussion to embrace Mao Tse-tung's aims in economic development and also draws some conclusions about the feasibility of Maoist economic development for China. Because of the close interrelationship between social, political and economic development that exists there this paper will be of interest to all observers of China, particularly those concerned with its economic development. Show more