CHANGES IN THE SOCIAL STRUCTURE AND THE EMERGING MIDDLE CLASS IN THE PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA

The article presents the development of social stratification research in China and theoretical findings of leading Chinese sociologists. The opening reforms initiated by Deng Xiaoping in 1978 effected profound changes in Chinese social structure. One of the main results of the reforms was the emergence of middle class, whose part in the social structure is, however, far from sufficient. Underdevelopment of the middle class, lack of access to educational opportunities and high employment in agriculture are the main structural problems of China which will need to be solved in the days to come.