Final answer:
Non-coastal areas in China have faced economic disparities, unemployment, environmental degradation, and issues related to infrastructure projects. The Three Gorges Dam exemplifies infrastructural impacts, leading to forced relocations and environmental concerns. Historical resistance to modernization echoes current tensions in balancing development and social wellbeing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The negative effects endured by non-coastal areas of China as a result of reforms include a disparity in economic development compared to coastal cities and exacerbated social issues. Rural areas have not benefited equally from the economic reforms, and many rural residents live in poverty with low incomes. High unemployment rates have affected tens of millions of migrants, and the government faces issues of corruption which limit improvements.
While coastal cities have thrived with manufacturing and higher standards of living due to Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and open trade policies, rural regions see loss of arable land due to environmental degradation, like soil erosion, air pollution, and lowered water tables. The rapid economic growth on the eastern coast presents a geopolitical vulnerability due to its reliance on export manufacturing and the inadequacy of agricultural resources to sustain the vast population.
The Three Gorges Dam, while a marvel of engineering, has led to forced relocations and cultural and environmental impacts. Corruption has also plagued compensation efforts for those affected. Historical reactions to modernization reflect similar disparities and tensions between urban development and rural welfare, such as in the aftermath of the Self-Strengthening Movement and Mongol taxation practices.