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

本文研究的是中国市场经济发展过程中社会经济的变化。该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份带有多项选择的表格。此外，还采访了不同的参与者，询问他们的个人观点和态度。本次调查共收集了1800份问卷，其中北京、上海、重庆、广州等大城市各300份，沈阳、石家庄、武汉等中等城市各200份。调查对象是根据城市居民地图随机选择的，回复率超过99%，这表明调查结果准确反映了社会各阶层消费者的态度。此外，我们亦比较1990年代的调查结果和2004年的新调查结果，以检视市场经济变化的动态。分析了消费者态度的差异与收入水平、居住地和其他人口因素的相关性。我们发现，虽然中国的贫富差距正在扩大，但与此同时，中产阶级正在发展，并带来了预期的消费态度和行为的变化。与过去中国人的大部分收入都花在生活必需品上相比，现在有更多的人能够将资源和可支配收入投入到兴趣、服务、奢侈品和休闲活动中。

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.