The 1950s

1950-1955: Mao favors pro-natalistic population policy.

1958-1961: Utopian ideas for transforming the family, marriage, and children's education ("new human being").

The 1960s

1962-1972: In the 1960s China's population growth peaks. Between 1962 and 1972 some 300 million babies are born.

1962-1972: High population growth (average of 26.7 million birth per year) in the late 1960 increases pressure on natural resources.

1966-1968: Destruction of "The Four Olds": Old ideas, old culture, old customs, old habits.

The 1980s

1982: China's population surpasses 1 billion people.

1987: Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) comes to China. Introduction of Western-style fast-food to China.

The 1990s

1991: First McDonald's Restaurant opens in Beijing.

1994: The Chinese government launches its ambitious "8-7 Plan" for eliminating extreme poverty by the year 2000.

1995: Between 1978 and 2004 China reduced the population in severe poverty from 250 to some 26 million.

The 2000s

2000: Intensified anti-corruption activities. Former deputy chairman of People's Congress is executed for taking bribes.

2000-2003: China begins long-distance population resettlement for the Three Gorges Dam project.

2001, Dec.: The Standing Committee of the 9th National People's Congress adopts "Population and Family Planning Law".