What was China like before 1979?

The central government of People's Republic of China conducted two nationwide census in mainland China prior to 1979. According to the reports provided by National Bureau of Statistics of China, results of the two census are: * The first national census was in 1953, the total population of mainland China was 601,938,035 at 0:00, 30 June, 1953. * The second time was in 1964, the total population of mainland China was 723,070,269 at 0:00, 30 June, 1964.