Notes on the Formation of the Chinese Working Class, 1840–1989
The history of the Chinese labor movement intertwines with the history of the country’s industrial development, stemming from clashes against foreign oppression in China and military conflagration among imperialist powers. Already in the early stages of its confrontation with the ruling class, we observe two essential traits: first, Chinese workers can hardly be classified, at any point in their history, as mere objects of exploitation; second, their class struggle became accustomed to unfolding simultaneously against the native ruling class and foreign oppression. Below, we outline in brief strokes some decisive moments of proletarian struggle in China over the last century and a half.
