Search on Ifri.org

Frequent searches

Suggestions

China’s Emerging Middle Class: What Political Impact?

Papers
|
Date de publication
|
Référence taxonomie collections
Asie Visions
Image de couverture de la publication
ekman_june2015.png
Accroche

This research paper argues that, contrary to what is often believed, most of the Chinese middle class appears to be politically conservative, and may not challenge the current political order as much as is expected, for several reasons; first of all, because of its strong connection to the Communist Party of China and the civil service in broader terms. Nonetheless, Chinese middle households are increasingly voicing their concern about a set of issues directly affecting them, such as pollution, either in the street or online.

Corps analyses

They also appear to be reluctant to accept some aspects of the ongoing socioeconomic reform under the Xi Jinping leadership, such as the flexibilization of the hukou system, or may feel unfairly targeted under the anti-corruption campaign (see part III). In conclusion, this research paper provides an overall assessment of the political impact of the emergence of China’s middle class, by taking into account the evolution of the profiles and expectations of this population group, as well as the new media landscape and the latest decisions and reactions in the early Xi era. It aims not only at understanding if China’s middle class is hoping (or not) to change the current political system, but also if it would be able to do so in the present context.

This study follows a first research paper on the Chinese middle class, titled “The Distinctive Features of China’s Middle Classes” (see below) which identified, beyond income classification, major specificities of this population group in China.

 

Decoration

Available in:

ISBN / ISSN

978-2-36567-400-3

Share

Download the full analysis

This page contains only a summary of our work. If you would like to have access to all the information from our research on the subject, you can download the full version in PDF format.

China’s Emerging Middle Class: What Political Impact?

Decoration
Author(s)
Photo
photoae.jpg

Alice EKMAN

Intitulé du poste

Former Research Fellow, Head of China research, Center for Asian Studies, Ifri

Image principale
Asia Map
Center for Asian Studies
Accroche centre

Asia is a nerve center for multiple global economic, political and security challenges. The Center for Asian Studies provides documented expertise and a platform for discussion on Asian issues to accompany decision makers and explain and contextualize developments in the region for the sake of a larger public dialogue.

The Center's research is organized along two major axes: relations between Asia's major powers and the rest of the world; and internal economic and social dynamics of Asian countries. The Center's research focuses primarily on China, Japan, India, Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific, but also covers Southeast Asia, the Korean peninsula and the Pacific Islands. 

The Centre for Asian Studies maintains close institutional links with counterpart research institutes in Europe and Asia, and its researchers regularly carry out fieldwork in the region.

The Center organizes closed-door roundtables, expert-level seminars and a number of public events, including an Annual Conference, that welcome experts from Asia, Europe and the United States. The work of Center’s researchers, as well as that of their partners, is regularly published in the Center’s electronic journal Asie.Visions.

Image de couverture de la publication
Ramses2024_couv.jpg

RAMSES 2024. A World to Be Remade

Date de publication
06 September 2023
Accroche

For its 42nd edition, RAMSES 2024 identifies three major challenges for 2024. 

France and the Philippines should anchor their maritime partnership

Date de publication
28 March 2025
Accroche

With shared interests in promoting international law and sustainable development, France and the Philippines should strengthen their maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. Through bilateral agreements, expanded joint exercises and the exchange of best practices, both nations can enhance maritime domain awareness, counter security threats and develop blue economy initiatives. This deeper collaboration would reinforce stability and environmental stewardship across the region.

The China-led AIIB, a geopolitical tool?

Date de publication
14 March 2025
Accroche

The establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in 2016, on a Chinese initiative, constituted an attempt to bridge the gap in infrastructure financing in Asia. However, it was also perceived in the West as a potential vehicle for China’s geostrategic agendas, fueling the suspicion that the institution might compete rather than align with existing multilateral development banks (MDBs) and impose its own standards.

Françoise NICOLAS
Image principale

Jammu and Kashmir in the Aftermath of August 2019

Date de publication
25 February 2025
Accroche

The abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), has been on the agenda of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for many decades.

Aijaz Ashraf WANI
Related Subjects

How can this study be cited?

Image de couverture de la publication
ekman_june2015.png
China’s Emerging Middle Class: What Political Impact?, from Ifri by
Copy
Image de couverture de la publication
ekman_june2015.png

China’s Emerging Middle Class: What Political Impact?