stage or course?

[sky753]

Hello Everyone,

Which word is better, stage or course in the following sentence?

However, we must be fully aware of the fact that China is still a developing country with a low level of productivity on the whole, and it is still at the primary stage of building socialism and will remain so for many years to come.

And by the way, can primary in the sentence be replaced by preliminary?

Regards

Sky

[naomimalan]

I would say, "it is still in the early stages..."

[BobK]

And, to answer the OPs second question, you could say 'preliminary stages'; it'd be better than 'primary'. I prefer 'early stages' though.

b