China: The World's Largest City

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Judging from the merchandise available in Chongqing's department stores and the thousands of bazaars and shops, city residents have become avid consumers. Color televisions are on sale for $680, along with locally manufactured refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, even keyboard organs. With prosperity has come more time for leisure. In one factory auditorium, an eight-piece orchestra plays nightly, and couples tentatively attempt fox-trots, rumbas, two-steps, even the twist. Says one disbelieving onlooker: "You could not imagine such a thing as this only a couple of years ago. These people were in cell meetings." --By Spencer Davidson. Reported by Edwin M. Reingold/Chongqing