Research on the development of the Chinese market economy and changes in consumer attitudes based on survey results

本文研究的是中国在市场经济发展过程中所发生的社会经济变化。这项调查考察了不同收入水平的消费者之间以及不同规模和经济水平的城市之间的差异。调查由两部分组成：首先，大量参与者被要求填写一张有多项选择答案的表格。此外，还采访了不同的参与者，询问了他们的个人观点和态度。问卷共收集了1800份问卷，其中北京、上海、重庆、广州四大城市各300份，沈阳、石家庄、武汉等中等城市各200份。调查参与者是根据城市居民地图随机选择的，回复率超过99%，表明结果反映了广泛社会范围内消费者态度的准确图景。20世纪90年代的调查结果也与2004年进行的新调查进行了比较，以检查市场经济变化的动态。对收入水平、居住地等人口统计因素与消费态度的差异进行了相关分析，发现虽然中国的贫富差距在扩大，但与此同时，中产阶级也在发展，并带来了预期的消费态度和行为的变化。现在有更多的人能够将资源和可支配收入用于兴趣、服务、奢侈品和休闲活动，而不是过去，中国人的大部分收入都花在了日常必需品上。

This research is on the changes in the society and economy in light of the process of development of the market economy in China. The survey examined the differences between consumers of different income levels and between cities of different sizes and economic levels. The survey consisted of two parts : first, a large number of participants were asked to fill out a form with multiple choice responses. In addition different participants were interviewed and asked about their personal views and attitudes. A total of 1800 responses were collected, consisting of 300 each from the large cities Beijing, Shanghai, Chongching, and Guangzhou and 200 each from the middle sized cities of Shenyang, Shijiazhuang, Wuhan. The survey participants were selected at random based on city resident maps and the response rate was above 99% showing that the results reflect an accurate picture of consumer attitudes across a broad spectrum of society.Survey results from the 1990s and new surveys conducted in 2004 were also compared to examine the dynamics of the market economy changes. Differences in consumer attitudes were analyzed for correlations with respect to income levels, residence locations, and other demographic factors.It was found that although, the gap between the rich and the poor in China is increasing, at the same time, the middle class is developing and bringing with it the expected changes in consumer attitudes and behavior. More people are now able to devote resources and disposable income to interests, services, luxuries, and leisure activities than in the past where most of the Chinese people's incomes were spent on daily necessities.