China's Economic Rise to Superpower ๐
Explore how China's economic revolution transformed it into a global superpower. Plus, get 40% off Nebula and gift cards!

Epic History
420.4K views โข Nov 21, 2025

About this video
Get Nebula using our link for 40% off an annual subscription: https://go.nebula.tv/lifetime?ref=epichistorytv
Plus get 40% off Gift Cards for your friends and family: https://gift.nebula.tv/EpicHistory
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The conclusion to our Rise of China series follows the nationโs transformation into the superpower we see today.
In the wake of Mao Zedongโs death, Deng Xiaoping takes control and attempts to forge a new path for the Peopleโs Republic. His reforms promise a brave new future, as China opens up to the world, transforms its economy and improves the living standards of its people.ย
But Chinaโs transformation will only be allowed to go so far. When popular protests erupt in 1989, the Tiananmen Square massacre becomes a startling reminder of Chinaโs authoritarian government - one that survives to the present day.
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Thank you to our series historical consultant, Dr. Lily Chang of University College London. Find out more about her research and teaching here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/history/people/academic-staff/dr-lily-chang
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๐ถ Music: Filmstro | Music is for everyone | https://filmstro.com/royalty-free-music/
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Thank you to chineseposters.net. To see more of their collection, head to https://chineseposters.net
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๐ Recommended reading:
โThe Penguin History of Modern China: the Fall and Rise of a Great Power, 1850 to the Presentโ by Jonathan Fenby - US: https://bookshop.org/a/99532/9780141988450 / UK: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/12275/9780141988450
โThe Cambridge Illustrated History Of Chinaโ by Patricia Buckley Ebrey - US: https://bookshop.org/a/99532/9781009151443 / UK: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/12275/9781009151443
"Deng Xiaoping and the Transformation of China" by Ezra F. Vogel - US: https://bookshop.org/a/99532/9780674725867 / UK: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/12275/9780674725867
You can visit our online bookshop to find great books on China and other Epic History topics:
UK site - https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/epichistorytv
US site - https://bookshop.org/shop/epichistorytv
As a bookshop.org affiliate we earn from qualifying purchases, while donating 10% of sales to support independent bookshops!
-------------------------------------
Support Epic History TV on Patreon from $1 per video, and get perks like ad-free early access & votes on future topics https://www.patreon.com/EpicHistoryTV
Or join the ranks of the Grognards with our YouTube memberships https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvPXiKxH-eH9xq-80vpgmKQ/join
๐ Buy posters, t-shirts, hoodies, mugs & stickers at our merch store:
https://www.ehtvmerch.com/
#EpicHistoryTV #EpicHistory #History #China #ChineseHistory #RiseOfChina #DengXiaoping #TiananmenSquare
Plus get 40% off Gift Cards for your friends and family: https://gift.nebula.tv/EpicHistory
-------------------------------
The conclusion to our Rise of China series follows the nationโs transformation into the superpower we see today.
In the wake of Mao Zedongโs death, Deng Xiaoping takes control and attempts to forge a new path for the Peopleโs Republic. His reforms promise a brave new future, as China opens up to the world, transforms its economy and improves the living standards of its people.ย
But Chinaโs transformation will only be allowed to go so far. When popular protests erupt in 1989, the Tiananmen Square massacre becomes a startling reminder of Chinaโs authoritarian government - one that survives to the present day.
-------------------------------------
Thank you to our series historical consultant, Dr. Lily Chang of University College London. Find out more about her research and teaching here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/history/people/academic-staff/dr-lily-chang
-------------------------------------
๐ถ Music: Filmstro | Music is for everyone | https://filmstro.com/royalty-free-music/
-------------------------------------
Thank you to chineseposters.net. To see more of their collection, head to https://chineseposters.net
-------------------------------------
๐ Recommended reading:
โThe Penguin History of Modern China: the Fall and Rise of a Great Power, 1850 to the Presentโ by Jonathan Fenby - US: https://bookshop.org/a/99532/9780141988450 / UK: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/12275/9780141988450
โThe Cambridge Illustrated History Of Chinaโ by Patricia Buckley Ebrey - US: https://bookshop.org/a/99532/9781009151443 / UK: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/12275/9781009151443
"Deng Xiaoping and the Transformation of China" by Ezra F. Vogel - US: https://bookshop.org/a/99532/9780674725867 / UK: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/12275/9780674725867
You can visit our online bookshop to find great books on China and other Epic History topics:
UK site - https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/epichistorytv
US site - https://bookshop.org/shop/epichistorytv
As a bookshop.org affiliate we earn from qualifying purchases, while donating 10% of sales to support independent bookshops!
-------------------------------------
Support Epic History TV on Patreon from $1 per video, and get perks like ad-free early access & votes on future topics https://www.patreon.com/EpicHistoryTV
Or join the ranks of the Grognards with our YouTube memberships https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvPXiKxH-eH9xq-80vpgmKQ/join
๐ Buy posters, t-shirts, hoodies, mugs & stickers at our merch store:
https://www.ehtvmerch.com/
#EpicHistoryTV #EpicHistory #History #China #ChineseHistory #RiseOfChina #DengXiaoping #TiananmenSquare
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Video Information
Views
420.4K
Likes
12.0K
Duration
36:42
Published
Nov 21, 2025
User Reviews
4.8
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