ished. In addition, in an effort to allow the market to determine prices, the prices of fruits and vegetables, fish, meat, and eggs, were freed from government controls so they could respond to market demand. Most importantly a surge of private and collective industry and commerce in the countryside occurred. This allowed a great percentage of the populace to become involved in private enterprise and investment in family or group ventures. (Shirk 39-40) Another important aspect of Chinese economic reform was the decision of China to join the world economy. In doing this Deng Xiaoping and his allies hoped to affect the economy in two ways: by expanding foreign trade, and by encouraging foreign companies to invest in Chinese enterprises. This policy (called the Open Policy) was a drastic removal from the policies of Mao Zedong and, in fact, from centuries of Chinese political culture. (Shirk 47) The Open Policy was limited to only a small number of areas in China, but it was extremely successful in the areas where it was implemented. In the beginning stages however, it was looked upon by many Chinese as nothing less than an avenue to economic dependency. When the policy was first implemented, many Chinese seemed to fear that Deng's policies were drawing China back toward its former semi-colonial status as a place where the "imperialist countries dump their goods, a raw material base, a repair and assembly workshop, and an investment center." (Nathan 51) These feelings were manifested in "denying foreign businessmen multiple entry visas, resisting increased foreign economic contacts and alteration of current ways of doing things, and disinclination to become involved in government-to-government loans and joint ventures" (Nathan 50-55) Given these hesitancies it is impressive that Deng and his allies were able to create and implement the Open Policy, since many members of the society at large were resistant to becoming involved in a ...
