Watch part two

It has been 30 years since China's doors opened to economic reform.

Since then, the nation's economy has increased by more than 11-fold.

With one-fifth of the world's population and an annual growth of 11.9 per cent last year, China seems ready to take on the role of the world's next super power.

But China's economy is now being challenged by a fast-accelerating currency and rising inflation.

And it is coming under increasing pressure from the international community in areas like human rights protection and environmental conservation.

This week on 101 East we ask, what are the main challenges facing China and its people?

Joining host Teymoor Nabili are Professor Jin Canrong from the Faculty of International Relations at Renmin University, Professor Steven Dong, the director of the Global Journalism Programme at Tsinghua University, and author-journalist, Zhang Lijia.

This episode of 101 East aired from Thursday, August 14, 2008.