Explains China's poverty at specific social levels and as a whole. Deals with overall issues such as: (1) the commodity economy; (2) China's sixth-five year plan; (3) rural industrialization; (4) the poor educational system; (5) unevenly developed territory; (6) persistant feudal problems; and (7) isolation from the world. Concludes by defining targets for China's development by the year 2000. (BR)