---
node: peoples_republic
type: period
slug: peoples_republic_of_china
title: "People's Republic of China"
lead: "The People's Republic of China (1949–present) was proclaimed by Mao Zedong in Beijing on October 1, 1949. After the upheavals of the Mao era, reform and opening-up from 1978 drove rapid economic growth."
published: 2026-07-09
updated: 2026-07-09
---

## Overview

The early decades saw land reform and a Soviet-style planned economy. The Great Leap Forward (1958–62) ended in economic crisis and a severe famine, and the Cultural Revolution (1966–76) brought a decade of political upheaval.

## Key developments

After Mao's death in 1976, Deng Xiaoping launched reform and opening-up from 1978; market reforms and special economic zones drove rapid growth. China joined the WTO in 2001 and hosted the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

## End and transition

The period continues to the present. In 2010, China became the world's second-largest economy.