# The Untold Story of China's Rise: Mao, Deng & the Chinese Miracle | Silk and Steel

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Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/uk-column-radio-1738505/the-untold-story-of-china-s-rise-mao-deng-the-chinese-miracle-silk-and-steel.md
Podcast: [UK Column Radio](https://stenobird.com/podcast/uk-column-radio-1738505)
Published: 2026-06-30T21:30:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-untold-story-of-china-s-rise-mao-deng-the-chinese-miracle-silk-and-steel--72763242
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/72763242/427095338_44100_2_ac341c2925253.mp3
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Duration seconds: 4203

## Resource

In this episode of Bridge to China, Jason Smith sits down with political commentator and Silk & Steel Podcast host Carl Zha to explore the extraordinary story of China's transformation—from the Japanese occupation and Chinese Civil War to Mao-era nation building, Deng Xiaoping's reforms, and the modern economic miracle. Carl explains how the Communist Party established control in the countryside, why land reform was so important, how China eliminated widespread opium addiction, the role of Soviet assistance in early industrialization, and how market reforms after 1978 unleashed decades of growth. The conversation also examines poverty alleviation, infrastructure development, education, industrial policy, China's relationship with Africa, and what developing—and developed—countries might learn from China's experience. Whether you're interested in Chinese history, geopolitics, economics, or development, this episode offers a comprehensive look at one of the most significant national transformations in human history. Topics Covered How the Communist Party expanded during the Japanese occupationThe Chinese Civil War and the fall of the KMTSoviet support and the industrialization of ChinaLand reform and peasant mobilizationThe eradication of opium addictionLiteracy campaigns and educational reformBarefoot doctors and rising life expectancyChina's first industrial revolutionDeng Xiaoping and Reform & Opening UpShenzhen and Special Economic ZonesChina's manufacturing boomPoverty alleviation and modernizationChina-Africa cooperation and the TAZARA RailwayLessons from China's development model ► Join UK Column Live every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm UK time or watch previous live recordings here ► [UK Column Website] Explore all our written and video content on t…

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