Julian Pettifer reports on rural life in China. Nearly one fifth of the population of this planet lives in the People's Republic of China. More than 900 million - increasing by ten million each year. How will China continue to feed one fifth of mankind? The Chinese way since the revolution in 1949 has been to organise the peasantry which comprises three-quarters of the population in agricultural communes.
By looking at several examples of these unique institutions in different parts of China, tonight's film sets out to explore how the age-old threat of famine has been turned back, and how most Chinese people - the peasants - are now faring since the death of Chairman Mao.
Photography BUTCH CALDERWOOD Sound recordist DON MARTIN Film editor HUGH NEWSAM Producer
ANTHONY DE LOTBINIERE