CBC Archives

Have students spend a few minutes searching for products in the classroom, or that they are wearing or have with them, that are made in China. Make a list. Students can include items they have at home and Chinese products available for sale in Canadian stores. Ask: Why do you think so many goods made in China are now for sale in Canada? What does this means about China’s economic importance in the world today?

Have students browse the topic Revolution and Evolution in Modern China on the CBC Radio and Television Archives Web site for 20 to 30 minutes, noting any important and/or interesting facts about the country’s history, current situation, and future prospects that they find. Students can record their responses using the graphic organizer on the download sheet Why Is China Important?

After students have browsed the site, have them share their findings. Create a class list that gives information about China’s history, culture, people, geography, political system, main products, environment, and religion. Based on this information, ask students why they think China is likely to assume global superpower status in the 21st century and what the consequences of this development might be.

Students can write a response to Napoleon’s quote about China: “When the sleeping dragon awakens, he will shake the world.” They should explain what they think Napoleon meant, and to what extent it has been borne out over the past 200 years.