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Part Three

The disputes over wages and working conditions in the factories of China's east coast made headlines recently. But Michael Robinson finds that there are long-simmering problems as well.

Part Three looks at how China's social tensions could threaten the growth the rest of the world is relying on.

Disputes over wages and working conditions in the factories of China's east coast have grabbed most of the headlines recently. But there are long-simmering problems as well.

How to crack down on corrupt officials? What to do for farmers unhappy about the compensation they receive - or not - for land taken for development?

All of these disputes underline a widening gap between China's rich and poor.

This programme examines China's leaders attempts to manage these growing conflicts and calls for political change - not for multi-party democracy, as some in the West advocate, but for a shift from a system of absolute Communist Party rule to one where individual rights are protected under law.

Available now

25 minutes

Last on

Mon 2 Aug 2010 02:05GMT

Broadcasts

  • Mon 26 Jul 2010 08:05GMT
  • Mon 26 Jul 2010 11:05GMT
  • Mon 26 Jul 2010 14:05GMT
  • Mon 26 Jul 2010 19:05GMT
  • Tue 27 Jul 2010 00:05GMT
  • Sat 31 Jul 2010 10:05GMT
  • Sun 1 Aug 2010 13:05GMT
  • Mon 2 Aug 2010 02:05GMT