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China is the [[List of countries and outlying territories by total area|third or fourth largest country in the world]] and has the most people. It is divided into twenty-two provinces, five autonomous regions, four municipalities, and two special administrative regions.
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The '''People's Republic of China''' ({{zh-stp|s={{linktext|中|华|人|民|共|和|国}}|t={{linktext|中|華|人|民|共|和|國}}|p=Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó}} {{Audio|Zh-Zhonghua renmin gongheguo.ogg|listen}}), commonly known as '''China''', is the largest country in [[East Asia]] and [[List of countries and outlying territories by total area|the third or fourth largest country in the world.]]<ref>Area rank is disputed with the United States and is either ranked third or fourth. See [[List of countries and outlying territories by area]] for more information.</ref> With a population of over 1.3 billion it is the [[List of countries by population|most populous country in the world]]. [[Beijing]] is the capital.

The [[Communist Party of China]] (CPC) has led the PRC under a [[single-party state|single-party system]] since the state's establishment in 1949. The PRC is involved in a long-running dispute over the [[political status of Taiwan]]. The CPC's rival during the [[Chinese Civil War]], the [[Kuomintang]] (KMT), retreated to [[Taiwan]] and [[list of islands of the Republic of China|surrounding islands]] after its civil war defeat in 1949, claiming legitimacy over China, [[Mongolia]], and [[Tuva]] while it was the ruling power of the Republic of China (ROC). The term "[[Mainland China]]" is often used to denote the areas under PRC rule, but sometimes excludes its two [[Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China|Special Administrative Region]]s: [[Hong Kong]] and [[Macau]].

It has the world's [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|fourth largest economy]] and [[List of countries by GDP (PPP)|second largest]] [[purchasing power parity]]. [[China and the United Nations|China]] is also a permanent member of the [[United Nations]] [[United Nations Security Council|Security Council]] and [[Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation]].<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A40192-2005Jan26.html China Passes U.S. In Trade With Japan]</ref><ref>[http://www.ifans.go.kr/ICSFiles/afieldfile/2005/07/05/policybrief05_3.pdf Trade Policy Outlook for Second-term Bush Administration] </ref><ref>[http://www.econstrat.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=59 China - Taiwan Economic Ties]</ref><ref>[http://www.jamestown.org/publications_details.php?volume_id=408&issue_id=3322&article_id=2369703 Beijing's Growing Politico-Economic Leverage Over Ulaanbaatar]</ref> Since 1978, China's market-based economic reforms have brought the poverty rate down from 53% in 1981 to 8% by 2001.<ref>[http://econ.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/EXTDEC/EXTRESEARCH/0,,contentMDK:20634060~pagePK:64165401~piPK:64165026~theSitePK:469382,00.html Fighting Poverty: Findings and Lessons from China’s Success] (World Bank). Retrieved [[August 10]] [[2006]].</ref> However, China is now faced with a number of other economic problems, including an aging population, an increasing rural-urban income gap, and rapid environmental degradation.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/29/world/asia/29china.html?_r=1&oref=slogin Beijing’s Olympic Quest: Turn Smoggy Sky Blue - New York Times<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6247119.stm BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | China fails environment targets<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

China plays a major role in international trade. The country is the world's largest consumer of steel and concrete, using, respectively, a third and over a half of the world's supply of each.<ref>[http://www.cintrafor.org/CONFERENCE_TAB/China%20Conf%202006/Boardman%202006.pdf Center for International Trade in Forest Products] China’s Building Boom. Retrieved [[December 2]] [[2006]],</ref> China is the biggest consumer of copper in the world.<ref>[http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000086&refer=latin_america&sid=aCmpXmP4yKGg Bloomberg.com: Latin America<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Counting all products, China is the third largest importer and the second largest exporter in the world.<ref>[[The World Factbook]], [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2087rank.html Rank Order - Imports].</ref><ref>[http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2007-04/12/content_849420.htm WTO: China Daily]</ref>

==Politics==
{{main|Politics of the People's Republic of China}}<!--Please add new information to relevant articles of the series-->

While the PRC is regarded as a [[Communist state]] by many [[Political science|political scientists]], simple characterizations of China's political [[structure]] since the 1980s are no longer possible.<ref>Boum, Aomar (1999). [http://jpe.library.arizona.edu/volume_6/goodmanonoivol6.htm Journal of Political Ecology: Case Studies in History and Society]. Retrieved [[May 5]] [[2007]].</ref> The PRC government has been variously described as [[authoritarianism|authoritarian]], [[communism|communist]], and [[socialism|socialist]], with heavy restrictions remaining in many areas, most notably in [[Internet censorship in the People's Republic of China|the Internet]] and in [[freedom of the press|the press]], [[freedom of assembly]], [[reproductive rights]], and [[freedom of religion]]. However, compared to its closed door policies until the mid-1970s, the liberalization of the PRC is such that the administrative climate is much less restrictive than before, though the PRC is still far from the full-fledged [[democracy]] practiced in most of [[Europe]] or [[North America]], according to most observers internationally.

The country is ruled under the [[Constitution of the People's Republic of China]]. Its incumbent President is [[Hu Jintao]] and its [[premier]] is [[Wen Jiabao]].

The country is run by the [[Communist Party of China]] (CPC), which is guaranteed power by the Constitution.<ref>[http://english.people.com.cn/constitution/constitution.html Constitution Of The People'S Republic Of China<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> There are other political parties in the PRC, referred to in China as "democratic parties", which participate in the [[Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference|People's Political Consultative Conference]] and the [[National People's Congress]]. There have been some moves toward political liberalization, in that open contested elections are now held at the village and town levels,<ref name="poll">{{Cite web|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/en/doc/2003-12/08/content_288018.htm|title=Beijingers Get Greater Poll Choices|accessdate = 2007-02-18|publisher=China Daily|year=2003|author=Unknown Author|format=Web}}</ref><ref>[http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/aib775/aib775n.pdf "Does China’s Land-Tenure System Discourage Structural Adjustment?" by Bryan Lohmar and Agapi Somwaru]. [[1 May]] [[2006]]. USDA Economic Research Service. ''URL accessed [[3 May]] [[2006]].''</ref> and that legislatures have shown some assertiveness from time to time. However, the Party retains effective control over governmental appointments: in the absence of meaningful opposition, the CPC wins by default most of the time. Political concerns in China include lessening the growing gap between rich and poor and fighting corruption within the government leadership.<ref>[http://www.mindfully.org/WTO/China-Wealth-Gap11may02.htm China sounds alarm over fast-growing gap between rich and poor]. Retrieved [[April 16]] [[2006]].</ref> The level of support that the Communist Party of China has among the Chinese population in general is unclear since there are no consistently contested national elections.<ref>[http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/en/doc/2003-12/08/content_288018.htm Beijingers get greater poll choices<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> According to a survey conducted in Hong Kong, where a relatively high level of freedom is enjoyed, the current CPC leaders have received substantial votes of support when residents were asked to rank their favorite leaders from the PRC and Taiwan.<ref>[http://hkupop.hku.hk/english/release/release361.html University of Hong Kong releases the latest ratings of the top 10 political figures in Mainland China and Taiwan as well as people's appraisal of past Chinese leaders"]. [[4 April]] [[2006]]. accessed [[May 3]], [[2006]].</ref>

{{seealso|Government of the People's Republic of China|Chinese nationalism|Propaganda in the People's Republic of China|Chinese law|Politics of the Republic of China|Neoconservatism in China|Politics of Hong Kong|Politics of Macau}}

===Foreign relations===
{{main|Foreign relations of the People's Republic of China}}

[[Image:Hu Jintao Bush.jpg|thumb|right|[[Hu Jintao]] with [[George W. Bush]].]]

The People's Republic of China maintains diplomatic relations with most major countries in the world. [[Sweden]] was the first western country to establish diplomatic relations with China on 9 May 1950.<ref>[http://www.chinaembassy.se/eng/zrgx/t100751.htm China and Sweden<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In 1971, the PRC replaced the [[Republic of China]] as the sole representative of [[China]] in the [[United Nations]] and as one of the five permanent members of the [[United Nations Security Council]].<ref>Eddy Chang ([[August 22]] [[2004]]). [http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2004/08/22/2003199768 Perseverance will pay off at the UN] The Taipei Times.</ref> It is considered a founding member of the UN, though the PRC was not in control of China at the time. The PRC was also a former member and leader of the [[Non-Aligned Movement]].

Under its interpretation of the [[One-China policy]], the PRC has made it a precondition to establishing diplomatic relations that the other country acknowledges its claim to [[Taiwan]] and severs official ties with the [[Republic of China]] (ROC) government. The government opposes publicized foreign travels by former and present Taiwanese officials promoting [[Taiwan independence|Taiwan's independence]], such as [[Lee Teng-hui]] and [[Chen Shui-bian]], and other politically controversial figures, such as [[Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama|Tenzin Gyatso]], the [[Dalai Lama]] of [[Tibetan Buddhism]], in an official context.

China has been playing an increasing role in calling for [[free trade area]]s and security pacts amongst its Asia-Pacific neighbors. In 2004, China proposed an entirely new [[East Asia Summit]] (EAS) framework as a forum for regional security issues that pointedly excluded the United States.<ref>Dillon, Dana and John Tkacik Jr, [http://www.policyreview.org/134/dillon.html "China’s Quest for Asia"], ''Policy Review'', December 2005 and January 2006, Issue No. 134. Accessed [[22 April]] [[2006]].</ref> The EAS, which includes [[Association of Southeast Asian Nations Plus Three|ASEAN Plus Three]], [[India]], [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]], held its inaugural summit in 2005. China is also a founding member of the [[Shanghai Cooperation Organisation]] (SCO), with [[Russia]] and the [[Central Asia]]n republics.

Much of the current foreign policy is based on the concept of [[China's peaceful rise]]. Conflicts with foreign countries have occurred at times in its recent history, particularly with the [[United States]]; e.g., the [[NATO bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade|U.S. bombing of the Chinese embassy]] in [[Belgrade]] during the [[Kosovo War|Kosovo conflict]] in May 1999 and the [[Hainan Island incident|U.S.-China spy plane incident]] in April 2001. Its foreign relations with many Western nations suffered for a time following the [[Tiananmen Square protests of 1989]], though they have since recovered. The relationship between [[Sino-Japanese relations|China and Japan]] has been strained at times by Japan's refusal to acknowledge its [[World War II|war-time]] past to the satisfaction of the PRC, e.g. [[Historical revisionism|revisionist]] comments made by prominent Japanese officials and in some [[Japanese history textbook controversies|Japanese history textbooks]]. Another point of conflict between the two countries is the frequent visits by Japanese government officials to the [[Yasukuni Shrine]]. However, Sino-Japanese relations have warmed considerably since [[Shinzo Abe]] became the new Japanese Prime Minister in September 2006. A joint historical study to be completed by 2008 of WWII atrocities is being conducted by China and Japan.

Equally bordering the most countries in the world alongside [[Russia]], the PRC was in a number of [[Foreign relations of the People's Republic of China#International territorial disputes|international territorial disputes]]. China's territorial disputes have led to localized wars in the last 50 years, including the [[Sino-Indian War]] in 1962, the [[Sino-Soviet border conflict]] in 1969 and the [[Sino-Vietnamese War]] in 1979. In 2001, the PRC and [[Russia]] signed the [[2001 Sino-Russian Treaty of Friendship|Sino-Russian Treaty of Friendship]],<ref>[http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2006-03/21/content_548330.htm Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation] ([[March 21]] [[2006]]). Retrieved [[April 16]] [[2006]].</ref> which paved the way in 2004 for Russia to transfer [[Yinlong Island]] as well as one-half of [[Heixiazi]] to China, ending a long-standing [[Sino-Russian relations|Sino-Russian]] border dispute. Other territorial disputes include islands in the [[East China Sea|East]] and [[South China Sea]]s, and undefined or disputed borders with [[India]], [[Tajikistan]] and [[North Korea]].

While accompanying a rapid economic rise, the PRC since the 1990s seeks to maintain a policy of quiet diplomacy with its neighbors. Steadying its economic growth and participating in regional organizations and cultivating bi-lateral relations will ease suspicion over China's burgeoning military capabilities. The PRC has started a policy of wooing [[Africa]]n nations for trade and bilateral co-operations.<ref>http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0330/p01s01-woaf.html. Abraham McLaughlin, "A rising China counters US clout in Africa", ''The Christian Science Monitor'', March 30, 2005 edition. [http://www.cfr.org/publication/8436/ Princeton N. Lyman. "China’s Rising Role in Africa", July 21, 2005 Council of Foreign Relations]. Retrieved [[June 26]] [[2007]].</ref>

===Population policy===
{{main|One-child policy}}
[[Image:China-demography.png|thumb|Population of China from 1961-2003]]
With a population of over 1.3 billion, the PRC is very concerned about its [[population growth]] and has attempted, with mixed results,<ref>[http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/353/11/1171 The New England Journal of Medicine, September 2005]</ref> to implement a strict [[family planning]] policy. The government's goal is [[one-child policy|one child per family]], with exceptions for ethnic minorities and flexibility in rural areas, where a family can have a second child if the first is a girl or physically disabled. The government's goal is to stabilize population growth early in the twenty-first century, though some projections estimate a population of anywhere ranging from 1.4 billion to 1.6 billion by 2025. Hence the country's family planning minister has indicated that China will maintain its one-child policy until at least the year 2018.<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/03/10/china.onechild/index.html China to keep one-child policy - CNN.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

The policy is resisted, particularly in rural areas, because of the need for [[agriculture|agricultural]] labor and a traditional preference for boys. Families who breach the policy often lie during the [[census]].<ref>[http://www.usembassy-china.org.cn/sandt/fertl2b.htm http://www.usembassy-china.org.cn/sandt/fertl2b.htm, ]</ref> Official government policy opposes [[Compulsory sterilization|forced sterilization]] or [[abortion]], but allegations of coercion continue as local officials, who are faced with penalties for failing to curb population growth, may resort to forced abortion or sterilization, or manipulation of census figures.

The decreasing reliability of PRC population statistics since family planning began in the late 1970s has made evaluating the effectiveness of the policy difficult.<ref>[http://www.usembassy-china.org.cn/sandt/fertl2b.htm http://www.usembassy-china.org.cn/sandt/fertl2b.htm]</ref> Estimates by Chinese demographers of the [[Total fertility rate|average number of children for a Chinese woman]] vary from 1.5 to 2.0. The government is particularly concerned with the large imbalance in the [[human sex ratio|sex ratio]] at birth, apparently the result of a combination of traditional preference for boys, and family planning pressure, which led to the ban of using [[ultrasound]] devices for the purpose of preventing [[sex-selective abortion and infanticide|sex-selective abortion]].

===Human rights===
{{main|Human rights in the People's Republic of China}}
[[Image:Tianasquare.jpg|thumb|The [[Tiananmen Square protests of 1989|Tiananmen Square protests]] were human rights demonstrations that were repressed by force in 1989]]
While China today has attained a relatively high degree of personal and economic freedoms, political freedom is still tightly controlled by both central and local governments. The [[Constitution of the People's Republic of China]] states that the "fundamental rights" of citizens include [[freedom of speech]], [[freedom of the press]], the [[right to a fair trial]], [[freedom of religion]], [[universal suffrage]], and [[Property|property rights]]. However, [[Censorship in the People's Republic of China|censorship]] of political speech and information is openly and routinely used to protect what the government considers national security interests.<ref name=right>[http://www.christusrex.org/www1/sdc/hr_facts.html China Human Rights Fact Sheet] (March 1995). Retrieved [[April 16]] [[2006]].</ref> In particular, press control is notoriously tight: [[Reporters Without Borders]] considers the PRC one of the least free countries in the world for the press.<ref name = "rsf.org-554">[http://www.rsf.org/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=554 Reporters sans frontières - Annual Worldwide Press Freedom Index - 2005<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The government has a policy of limiting some protests and organizations that it considers a threat to social stability and national unity, as was the case with the [[Tiananmen Square protests of 1989]]. The Communist Party has had mixed success at controlling information: a very strong media control system faces very strong market forces, an increasingly educated citizenry and cultural change that are making China more open. In some cases, especially on environmental issues,<ref>[http://www.usembassy-china.org.cn/sandt/chplca.htm 1998 U.S. Embassy Beijing report "The Fading of Environmental Secrecy"]. Accessed [[February 4]] [[2007]]</ref><ref>[http://www.usembassy-china.org.cn/sandt/ngo3.htm 1997 U.S. Embassy Beijing report "Environmental NGOs in China: Green is Good, But Don't Openly Oppose the Party"], Accessed [[February 4]] [[2007]]</ref> China's leaders see expressions of public dissatisfaction as a catalyst for positive change.

Certain foreign governments and [[non-governmental organization|NGO]]s routinely criticize the PRC, alleging widespread human rights violations including systematic use of lengthy detention without trial, forced confessions, torture, mistreatment of prisoners, restrictions of freedom of speech, [[freedom of assembly|assembly]], [[freedom of association|association]], religion, the press, and [[labor rights]].<ref name=right>[http://www.christusrex.org/www1/sdc/hr_facts.html China Human Rights Fact Sheet] (March 1995).</ref> China leads the world in [[capital punishment]], accounting for roughly 90% of total executions in 2004.<ref>http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0405-07.htm [[5 April]] [[2005]]. Accessed [[23 June]] [[2006]]. ''The Independent/UK'' article, republished.</ref> Human rights issues are one of the factors driving independence movements in [[Tibet]] and [[Xinjiang]]. In the [[Reporters Without Borders]]' Annual World Press Freedom Index of 2005,<ref name = "rsf.org-554"/> the PRC ranked 159 out of 167 places. PRC journalist [[He Qinglian]] in her 2004 book ''Media Control in China''<ref>[http://hrichina.org/public/contents/article?revision%5fid=29582&item%5fid=29576 Media Control in China] published 2004 by Human Rights in China, New York. Revised edition 2006 published by Liming Cultural Enterprises of Taiwan</ref> documents government controls on the [[Internet]] and other media in China.

The PRC government responds to these criticisms by arguing that the notion of human rights should take into account a country's present level of [[economic development]], and focus more on the people's rights to subsistence and development in poorer countries.<ref>[http://english.gov.cn/official/2005-07/28/content_18115.htm "China's Progress in Human Rights"] July 2005, Accessed: April 18 2008.</ref> The rise in the [[standard of living]], [[literacy]] and [[life expectancy]] for the average Chinese in the last three decades is seen by the government as tangible progress made in human rights.<ref>[http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/zt/first%20beginning/t56058.htm "China's reform and opening-up promotes human rights, says premier"]. [[11 December]] [[2003]]. Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States. Accessed [[28 April]] [[2006]].</ref> Efforts in the past decade to combat deadly natural disasters, such as the perennial [[Yangtze River]] floods, and work-related accidents are also portrayed in China as progress in human rights for a still largely poor country.<ref>[http://english.gov.cn/official/2005-07/28/content_18115.htm "China's Progress in Human Rights"] July 2005, Accessed: April 18 2008.</ref>

==Political divisions==
{{main|Political divisions of China}}
{{seealso|List of cities in the People's Republic of China|Names of the territories of the PRC in Simplified and Traditional Chinese}}

The People's Republic of China has administrative control over twenty-two [[Province (China)|provinces]] and considers [[Taiwan Province, People's Republic of China|Taiwan]] to be its twenty-third province.<ref>Gwillim Law ([[April 2]] [[2005]]). [http://www.statoids.com/ucn.html Provinces of China]. Retrieved [[April 15]] [[2006]].</ref> There are also five [[Autonomous regions of China|autonomous regions]], each with a designated minority group; four [[Direct-controlled municipality|municipalities]]; and two [[Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China|Special Administrative Region]]s that enjoy considerable autonomy. The twenty-two provinces, five autonomous regions and four municipalities can be collectively referred to as "[[mainland China]]", a term which usually excludes Hong Kong and Macau.



==Military==
{{main|People's Liberation Army}}

With 2.3 million active troops, the [[People's Liberation Army]] (PLA) is the largest military in the world.<ref>[http://www.iiss.org/whats-new/iiss-in-the-press/press-coverage-2005/august-2005/china-seeks-to-allay-us-fears-as-summit-nears China Seeks to Allay U.S. Fears as Summit Nears] (2006). Retrieved [[April 15]] [[2006]].</ref> The PLA consists of an [[People's Liberation Army Ground Force|army]], [[People's Liberation Army Navy|navy]], [[People's Liberation Army Air Force|air force]], and strategic [[People's Liberation Army#Nuclear weapons|nuclear]] force. The official announced [[Military budget of the People's Republic of China|budget]] of the PLA for 2007 was $45 billion. However, the [[United States]] claims China does not report its real military spending. The [[Defense Intelligence Agency|DIA]] estimates that the real Chinese military budget for 2007 could be anywhere from US$85 to US$125 billion.<ref>[http://www.defenselink.mil/pubs/pdfs/070523-China-Military-Power-final.pdf U.S. Department of Defense] </ref>.

The PRC, despite possession of [[nuclear weapon]]s and delivery systems, is widely seen by military researchers both within and outside of China as having only limited [[power projection]] capability; this is, among other things, because of the limited effectiveness of its navy. It is considered a major military [[regional power]] and an [[Superpower#People's Republic of China|emerging military superpower]].<ref>Nolt, James H. [http://www.atimes.com/china/BA27Ad01.html Analysis: The China-Taiwan military balance]. Asia Times. Retrieved [[April 15]] [[2006]].</ref>

Much progress has been made in the last decade and the PRC continues to make efforts to modernize its military. It has purchased state-of-the-art fighter jets from Russia, such as the [[Sukhoi Su-30]]s, and has also produced its own modern fighters, specifically the Chinese [[Chengdu J-10|J-10]]s and the [[Shenyang J-11|J-11]]s.<ref>[http://sinodefence.com/airforce/fighter/default.asp SinoDefence: Fighter Aircraft]. Accessed [[15 April]] [[2006]]</ref> It has also acquired and improved upon the Russian [[S-300]] [[surface-to-air missile]] systems, which are considered to be among the best aircraft-intercepting systems in the world,<ref>[http://sinodefence.com/missile/airdefence/hq9.asp SinoDefence: Surface-to-air Missile System]{{dead link|url=http://sinodefence.com/missile/airdefence/hq9.asp|date=March 2008}} (2006). Accessed [[15 April]] [[2006]].</ref> albeit Russia has since produced the new generation [[S-400 Triumf]]. The PRC's armored and rapid-reaction forces have been updated with enhanced electronics and targeting capabilities. In recent years, much attention has been focused on building a [[People's Liberation Army Navy|navy]] with [[Blue-water navy|blue-water]] capability.<ref>[http://www.sinodefence.com/research/aircraft-carrier/China_Aircraft_Carrier_Ambition.pdf SinoDefence: Aircraft carrier programme] (2006). Accessed [[15 April]] [[2006]]</ref>

==Science and technology==
{{main|Science and technology in the People's Republic of China|List of Chinese inventions}}
[[Image:Wind power plants in Xinjiang, China.jpg|thumb|[[Wind turbine]]s in [[Xinjiang]]. The Dabancheng project is Asia's largest [[wind farm]].]]

After the [[Sino-Soviet split]], China started to develop its own [[nuclear weapon]]s and delivery systems, successfully detonating its first surface [[nuclear testing|nuclear test]] in 1964 at [[Lop Nur]]. A natural outgrowth of this was a satellite launching program, which culminated in 1970 with the launching of [[Dong Fang Hong I]], the first Chinese satellite. This made the PRC the fifth nation to independently launch a satellite. In 1992, the [[Shenzhou spacecraft|Shenzhou]] manned spaceflight program was authorized.<ref>[http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_aboutchina/2003-09/24/content_26079.htm China's First Man-made Satellite] (2003). Ministry of Culture. Retrieved [[April 16]] [[2006]].</ref> After four tests, ''[[Shenzhou 5]]'' was launched on [[October 15]], [[2003]], using a [[Long March rocket|Long March 2F rocket]] and carrying Chinese astronaut [[Yang Liwei]], making the PRC the third country to put a human being into [[outer space|space]] through its own endeavors.<ref>Wade, Mark. [http://www.astronautix.com/craft/shenzhou.htm Shenzhou] ([[6 January]] [[2006]]). Retrieved [[April 16]] [[2006]].</ref> With the successful completion of the second manned mission, ''[[Shenzhou 6]]'' in October 2005, the country plans to build a [[Project 921-2|Chinese Space Station]] in the near future and achieve a lunar landing in the next decade.<ref>Wade, Mark. ([[30 March]] [[2005]])[http://www.astronautix.com/craft/prot9212.htm Project 921-2]. Retrieved [[April 16]] [[2006]].</ref>

China has the world's second largest [[research and development]] budget, and is expected to invest over $136 billion this year after growing more than 20% in the past year.<ref>[http://www.ft.com/cms/s/da4ed9f2-82fa-11db-a38a-0000779e2340.html "China overtakes Japan on R&D"] ''Financial Times''. Accessed [[3 December]] [[2006]].</ref> The Chinese government continues to place heavy emphasis on research and development by creating greater public awareness of innovation, and reforming financial and tax systems to promote growth in cutting-edge industries. President Hu Jintao in January 2006 called for China to make the transition from a manufacturing-based economy to an innovation-based one, and this year's National People's Congress has approved large increases in research funding. [[stem cell|Stem cell research]] and [[gene therapy]], which some in the [[Western world]] see as controversial, face minimal regulation in China. China has an estimated 926,000 researchers, second only to the United States's 1.3 million.<ref>[http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8LQ0OI00.htm OECD: China to spend $136 billion on R&D] ''BusinessWeek''. Retrieved [[3 December]] [[2006]].</ref>

China is also actively developing its [[computer software|software]], [[semiconductor]] and [[energy industry|energy]] industries, including [[renewable energy|renewable energies]] such as hydro, wind and solar power.<ref>[http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/mar2006/gb20060331_921612.htm "Blinding Science: China's Race to Innovate"] Bruce Einhorn, ''Business Week'', [[31 March]] [[2006]], accessed: [[16 April]] [[2006]].</ref> In an effort to reduce pollution from coal-burning power plants, China has been pioneering the deployment of [[pebble bed reactor|pebble bed nuclear reactors]], which run cooler and safer, and have potential applications for the [[hydrogen economy]].<ref>[http://daga.dhs.org/daga/readingroom/newsclips/2004/wto/41005scmp03.htm "China leading world in next generation of nuclear plants"] Robert J. Saiget. ''DAGA''. [[5 October]] [[2004]]. Accessed [[16 April]] [[2006]]. </ref>

==Transportation==
{{main|Transport in the People's Republic of China}}

Transportation in the mainland of the People's Republic of China has improved remarkably since the late 1990s as part of a government effort to link the entire nation through a series of [[Expressways of China|expressways]] known as the National Trunk Highway System (NTHS). The total length of expressway is 45,000&nbsp;km at the end of 2006, second only to the United States.<ref>[http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200612/30/eng20061230_337130.html China to build more highways in 2007]</ref><ref>[http://www.chinagate.com.cn/english/45626.htm Expressways Being Built at Frenetic Pace]</ref>

Private car ownership is increasing at an annual rate of 15%, though it is still uncommon because of government policies that make car ownership expensive, such as taxes and toll roads.<ref> [http://www.earlywarning.com/articles/2005_06_13_china_cars_drive "China's Car Drive"] ([[June 13]] [[2005]]). Earlywarning.</ref>

Air travel has increased, but remains too expensive for most. Long distance transportation is still dominated by [[Rail transport|railways]] and charter bus systems. The railways are still the vital carrier in China, and until this year<!-- What year? --> steam locomotives were still a common sight. It is thought that some are still in use, especially on industrial networks.

Cities such as [[Beijing]] and [[Shanghai]] are building [[Rapid transit|subways]] or [[light rail]] systems. [[Transport in Hong Kong|Hong Kong]] has one of the most developed transport systems in the world.
Shanghai already has a [[Maglev (transport)|Maglev]] system connecting downtown Shanghai to [[Shanghai Pudong International Airport|Pudong International Airport]]

{{seealso|Rail transport in the People's Republic of China}}

==Demographics==
{{main|Demographics of the People's Republic of China|List of ethnic groups in China}}

[[As of July 2006]], there are 1,313,973,713 people in the PRC. About 20.8% (male 145,461,833; female 128,445,739) are 14 years old or younger, 71.4% (male 482,439,115; female 455,960,489) are between 15 and 64 years old, and 7.7% (male 48,562,635; female 53,103,902) are over 65 years old. The population growth rate for 2006 is 0.59%.<ref name=pop>[http://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ch.html#People CIA World Factbook]. [[20 April]] [[2006]]. ''URL accessed [[3 May]] [[2006]].''</ref> The PRC officially recognizes 56 distinct ethnic groups, the largest of which are the [[Han Chinese]], who constitute about 91.9% of the total population.<ref>[http://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ch.html CIA factbook] ([[29 March]] [[2006]]). Retrieved [[April 16]] [[2006]].</ref> Large ethnic minorities include the [[Zhuang]] (16 million), [[Manchu]] (10 million), [[Hui people|Hui]] (9 million), [[Hmong people|Miao]] (8 million), [[Uyghur people|Uyghur]] (7 million), [[Yi people|Yi]] (7 million), [[Tujia]] (5.75 million), [[Mongols]] (5 million), [[Tibetan people|Tibetan]]s (5 million), [[Buyei]] (3 million), and [[Koreans]] (2 million).<ref>Stein, Justin J (Spring 2003). [http://www.princeton.edu/~jpia/pdf2003/Ch%208%20Xinjiang-Stein-JPIA%202003.pdf Taking the Deliberative in China]. Retrieved [[April 16]] [[2006]].</ref>

In the past decade, China's cities expanded at an average rate of 10% annually. The country's urbanization rate increased from 17.4% to 41.8% between 1978 and 2005, a scale unprecedented in human history.<ref>Zhou Qun, Lin Yanhua. [http://www.chinanews.cn/news/2005/2005-11-18/14441.html China's urbanization encounters "urban disease"], Chinanews.cn (中国新闻网), [[November 11]] [[2005]]. Accessed [[21 April]] [[2005]].</ref> 80 to 120 million [[migrant worker]]s work part-time in the major cities and return home to the countryside periodically with their earnings.<ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/china/migrant_p1.html China 2004 Migrant Workers], CBC Radio One, December 2004. Accessed: [[21 April]] [[2006]]</ref>

Today, the People's Republic of China has dozens of major cities with one million or more long-term residents, including the three [[global city|global cities]] of [[Beijing]], [[Hong Kong]], and [[Shanghai]].
Major cities in China play key roles in national and regional identity, culture and economics.

===Largest cities===
The figures below are the 2001 estimates for the ten largest urban populations within administrative city limits; a different ranking exists when considering the total municipal populations (which includes suburban and rural populations). The large floating populations of migrant workers make conducting censuses in urban areas difficult;<ref>Francesco Sisci, "China's floating population a headache for census", ''The Straits Times'', [[22 September]] [[2000]].</ref> the figures below do not include the floating population, only long-term residents.

{{seealso|List of cities in the People's Republic of China by population}}

==Education==
{{main|Education in the People's Republic of China}}

In 1986, China set the long-term goal of providing compulsory nine-year basic education to every child. As of 1997, there were 628,840 primary schools, 78,642 secondary schools and 1,020 higher education institutions in the PRC.<ref>[http://www.asia-planet.net/china/education.htm Education] (2002). Orasia co., ltd.</ref> In February 2006, the government advanced its basic education goal by pledging to provide completely free nine-year education, including textbooks and fees, in the poorer western provinces.<ref>[http://en.ce.cn/National/Rural/200602/21/t20060221_6154334.shtml China pledges free 9-year education in rural west] ([[February 21]] [[2006]]). China Economic Net.</ref> As of 2002, 90.9% (male: 95.1%; female: 86.5%) of the population over age 15 are literate.<ref name=pop>[http://travelblog.org/World/ch-ppl.html "Chinese People"] (2005). TravelBlog. </ref> China's youth (age 15 to 24) literacy rate is 98.9% (99.2% for males and 98.5% for females) in 2000.<ref>[http://portal.unesco.org/education/en/file_download.php/b44872c5f2dfd9c825236194562a2b7fRoss_China.doc Where And Who Are The World’s Illiterates: China]</ref> In March 2007, China announced the decision of making education a national "strategic priority", the central budget of the national scholarships will be tripled in two years and 223.5 billion Yuan (28.65 billion US dollars) of extra funding will be allocated from the central government in the next 5 years to improve the compulsory education in rural areas.<ref>[http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-03/05/content_5800996.htm Premier Wen announces hefty educational investment] (2007). Retrieved [[March 6]] [[2007]].</ref>

The quality of [[List of universities in the People's Republic of China|Chinese colleges and universities]] varies considerably across the country. The consistently top-ranked universities in mainland China are [[Peking University|Peking]] and [[Tsinghua University|Tsinghua]] in [[Beijing]]; [[Fudan University|Fudan]], [[Shanghai Jiao Tong University]] and [[East China Normal University]] in [[Shanghai]]; [[Xi'an Jiaotong University]] in [[Xi'an]]; [[Nanjing University]] in [[Nanjing]]; the [[University of Science and Technology of China]] in [[Hefei]]; [[Zhejiang University]] in [[Hangzhou]] and [[Wuhan University]] in [[Wuhan]].<ref>[http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-02/21/content_418027.htm 2005 Chinese University Ranking unveiled] ([[February 21]] [[2005]]). China Daily. Retrieved [[April 16]] [[2006]].</ref><ref>[http://rank2003.netbig.com/en/rnk_1_0_0.htm All-around Ranking] (2003). Retrieved [[April 17]] [[2006]].</ref>

Many parents are highly committed to their children's education, often investing large portions of the family's income on education. Private lessons and recreational activities, such as in foreign languages or music, are popular among the middle-class families who can afford them.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3693714.stm "China's graft: Tough talk, old message" by Mary Hennock]. [[27 September]] [[2004]]. BBC News. ''Accessed [[2 May]] [[2006]]''.</ref>

==Public health==
{{main|Public health in the People's Republic of China}}

The [[Ministry of Health of the People's Republic of China|Ministry of Health]], together with its counterparts in the provincial health bureaus, oversees the health needs of the Chinese population.<ref>[http://www.casy.org/Chindoc/mohprofile.htm China AIDS Survey at Yahoo] Accessed [[18 April]] [[2006]].</ref> An emphasis on [[public health]] and [[Preventive medicine|preventative treatment]] characterized health policy since the early 1950s. At that time, the [[Communist Party of China|party]] started the [[Patriotic Health Campaign]], which was aimed at improving [[sanitation]] and [[hygiene]], as well as attacking several [[disease]]s. This has shown major results as diseases like cholera, typhoid, and scarlet fever were nearly eradicated.

With economic reform after 1978, the health of the Chinese public improved rapidly because of better nutrition despite the disappearance, along with the People's Communes, of much of the free public health services provided in the countryside. Health care in China became largely private fee-for-service. By 2000, when the [[World Health Organization]] made a large study of public health systems throughout the world, [http://www.who.int/whr/2000/en/ The World Health Report 2000 Health Systems: Improving Performance] the Chinese public health system ranked 144 of the 191 UN member states ranked.

The country's [[life expectancy]] jumped from about 41 years in 1950 to almost 73 years in 2006,<ref>[http://cas.uchicago.edu/workshops/eastasia/mpsa06_proceeding_141220.pdf "Incentives, Ideology, or Other Initiatives?- Why China’s Health Reforms Falter" by Tana Johnson]. [[18 April]] [[2006]]. University of Chicago's East Asia Workshop. ''URL accessed [[3 May]] [[2006]].''</ref> and [[infant mortality]] went down from 300 per thousand in the 1950s to about 23 per thousand in 2006.<ref name=pop>[http://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ch.html#People CIA World Factbook]. [[20 April]] [[2006]]. ''URL accessed [[3 May]] [[2006]].''</ref><ref>[http://www.china.org.cn/english/19012.htm China’s Infant Mortality Rate Down]. [[11 September]] [[2001]]. CHINA.ORG.CN. ''URL accessed [[3 May]] [[2006]].''</ref> [[Malnutrition]] as of 2002 stood at 12 percent of the population according to [[United Nations]] [[Food and Agriculture Organization|FAO]] sources.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.fao.org/ag/agn/nutrition/cpr-e.stm|title= Nutrition country profiles: China summary|accessdate=2007-07-22}}</ref>

Despite significant improvements in health and the introduction of western style medical facilities, the PRC has several emerging [[public health]] problems, which include respiratory problems as a result of [[Environment of China|widespread air pollution]]<ref name = "FT-china-pollution"/> and millions of [[tobacco smoking|cigarette smokers]],<ref>[http://www.hcc.hawaii.edu/~pine/Phil110/chinasmoking.html "Smoking 'will kill one third of young Chinese men'"]. [[16 August]] [[2001]]. Honolulu Community College. Accessed [[17 April]] [[2006]].</ref> a possible future [[HIV/AIDS in China|HIV/AIDS epidemic]], and an increase in [[obesity]] among urban youths.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/1999/china.50/dispatches/09.23.health/ "Serving the people?"]. 1999. Bruce Kennedy. CNN. Accessed [[17 April]] [[2006]].</ref><ref>[http://english.people.com.cn/english/200008/04/eng20000804_47271.html "Obesity Sickening China's Young Hearts"] [[4 August]] [[2000]]. People's Daily. Accessed [[17 April]] [[2006]].</ref> Estimates of excess deaths in China from environmental pollution (apart from smoking) are placed at 760,000 people per annum from air and water pollution (including [[indoor air quality|indoor air pollution]]).<ref>International Herald Tribune, Tues July 31, 2007, p16</ref> China's large population and close living quarters has led to some serious disease outbreaks in recent years, such as the 2003 outbreak of [[Severe acute respiratory syndrome|SARS]] (a pneumonia-like disease) which has since been largely contained.<ref>[http://www.who.int/csr/don/2004_05_18a/en/index.html "China’s latest SARS outbreak has been contained, but biosafety concerns remain"]. [[18 May]] [[2004]]. [[World Health Organization]]. Accessed [[17 April]] [[2006]].</ref>

==Culture==
{{main|Culture of the People's Republic of China|Culture of China}}

For centuries, opportunity for economic and social advancement in [[China]] could be provided by high performance on [[Imperial examination]]s. The literary emphasis of the exams affected the general perception of cultural refinement in China, such as the belief that [[East Asian calligraphy|calligraphy]] and literati painting were higher forms of art than dancing or drama. China's traditional values were derived from various versions of [[Confucianism]] and [[conservatism]]. A number of more [[authoritarianism|authoritarian]] and [[rationalism|rational]] strains of thought have also been influential, such as [[Legalism (Chinese philosophy)|Legalism]]. There was often conflict between the philosophies, such as the [[individualism|individualistic]] [[Song Dynasty]] [[Neo-Confucianism|neo-Confucians]], who believed Legalism departed from the original spirit of Confucianism. [[Examination]]s and a [[meritocracy|culture of merit]] remain greatly valued in China today. In recent years, a number of [[New Confucianism|New Confucians]] have advocated that democratic ideals and human rights are quite compatible with traditional Confucian "Asian values."<ref>Bary, Theodore de. [http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ccba/cear/issues/fall97/graphics/special/debary/debary.htm "Constructive Engagement with Asian Values"]. Columbia University.</ref>

The first leaders of the People's Republic of China were born in the old society but were influenced by the [[May Fourth Movement]] and reformist ideals. They sought to change some traditional aspects of Chinese culture, such as rural land tenure, sexism, and a Confucian education, while preserving others, such as the family structure and obedience to the state. Many observers believe that the period following 1949 is a continuation of traditional Chinese [[Dynasty|dynastic]] history, while others say that the CPC's rule has damaged the foundations of Chinese culture, especially through political movements such as the [[Cultural Revolution]], where many aspects of traditional culture were labeled 'regressive and harmful' or 'vestiges of feudalism' by the regime. They further argue that many important aspects of traditional Chinese morals and culture, such as [[Confucianism]], [[Chinese art]], literature, and performing arts like [[Beijing opera]], were altered to conform to government policies and propaganda at the time. One example being [[Simplified Chinese character|Chinese character simplification]], since [[Traditional Chinese character|traditional characters]] were blamed for the country's low literacy rate at the time.<ref name="Yen">Yen, Yuehping. [2005] (2005). Calligraphy and Power in Contemporary Chinese Society. Routledge. ISBN 0415317533</ref> However, simplified Chinese characters are not used in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau.<ref name="Yen" />

Today, the PRC government has accepted a great deal of traditional [[Culture of China|Chinese culture]] as an integral part of Chinese society, lauding it as an important achievement of the [[China|Chinese civilization]] and emphasizing it as vital to a [[Chinese nationalism|Chinese national identity]]. Since the Cultural Revolution has ended, various forms of traditional Chinese art, literature, music, film, fashion and architecture have seen a vigorous revival,<ref>[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+cn0133) "China: Traditional arts". Library of Congress - Country Studies.] Accessed: [[26 December]], [[2007]].</ref><ref>[http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-258942/China "China: Cultural life: The arts". Encyclopædia Britannica Online] Accessed: [[26 December]], [[2007]].</ref> and folk and variety art in particular have gained a new found respectability, and sparked interest nationally and even worldwide.<ref>[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+cn0138) "China: Folk and Variety Arts". Library of Congress - Country Studies.] Accessed: [[26 December]], [[2007]].</ref>

===Religion===
{{main|Religion in China}}
{{seealso|Chinese folk religion|Feng shui}}
{{bar box
| title=China religiosity
| titlebar=#ddd
| left1=religion
| right1=percent
| float=right
| bars=
{{bar percent|[[Buddhism]]|yellow|50}}<ref>[http://www.vipassanafoundation.com/Buddhists.html Buddhists in the world]</ref><ref>[http://www.seanetwork.org/article.php?story=20041020143036414 "Counting the Buddhist World Fairly," by Dr. Alex Smith]</ref>
{{bar percent|[[Taoism]]|red|30}}<ref>[http://asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=468&Itemid=34 Asia Sentinel - How Now Tao?]</ref>
{{bar percent|[[Atheism]]|gray|14}}<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/Na/Na_45.html Adherents.com]</ref>
{{bar percent|[[Christianity]]|blue|4}}<ref>[http://www.assistnews.net/STORIES/2007/s07100011.htm China Survey Reveals Fewer Christians than Some Evangelicals Want to Believe]</ref><ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ch.html#People CIA Factbook - China]</ref>
{{bar percent|[[Islam]]|green|1.5}}<ref>[http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2006/71338.htm International Religious Freedom Report 2006 - China]</ref>
{{bar percent|Others|purple|0.5}}
}}
The majority of Chinese people follow [[Buddhism]] (between 660 million, 50%, and over 1 billion, 80%<ref>[http://www.vipassanafoundation.com/Buddhists.html Buddhists in the world<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.seanetwork.org/article.php?story=20041020143036414 "Counting the Buddhist World Fairly," by Dr. Alex Smith]</ref>) and/or [[Taoism]] (400 million, 30%<ref>[http://asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=468&Itemid=34 Asia Sentinel - How Now Tao?<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.arcworld.org/downloads/SCMP%20Daoism%2030%20April%202007.pdf Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC) ]</ref>).

Number of adherents to these religions can be overlaid in percentage due to the fact that some Chinese consider themselves both Buddhist and Taoist.<ref>[http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/religion Religions and Beliefs in China]</ref><ref>[http://www.sacu.org/religion.html Society for Anglo Chinese Understanding (SACU)]</ref><ref>[http://www.index-china.com/index-english/people-religions-s.html Index-China Chinese Philosophies and religions]</ref> Buddhists are mostly nominal adherents because only a small proportion of the population (over 8% or over 100 million <ref>[http://adherents.com/largecom/com_buddhist.html Adherents.com: Buddhism<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90133.htm International Religious Freedom Report 2007 - China (includes Tibet, Hong Kong, and Macau)]</ref>) may have taken the formal step of [[Refuge (Buddhism)|going for refuge]].<ref>[http://www.askasia.org/teachers/essays/essay.php?no=16 AskAsia - Buddhism in China]</ref><ref>[http://www.globaled.org/curriculum/china/bessay1.htm TheAmericanForum For Global Education]</ref>
[[Mahayana]] (大乘, ''Dacheng'') and its subsets [[Pure Land Buddhism|Pure Land]] (Amidism), [[Tiantai]] and [[Zen]] are the most widely practiced denominations of Buddhism. Other forms, such as [[Theravada]] and [[Tibetan Buddhism|Tibetan]], are practiced largely by ethnic minorities along the geographic fringes of the Chinese mainland.<ref>Macintosh, R. Scott. [http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0309/p01s04-woap.html China's prosperity inspires rising spirituality] (March 9, 2006). Retrieved [[April 15]] [[2006]].</ref>

Minority religions are [[Christianity]] (between 40 million, 3%<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6337627.stm BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Survey finds 300m China believers<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, and 54 million, 4%<ref>[http://www.assistnews.net/STORIES/2007/s07100011.htm China Survey Reveals Fewer Christians than Some Evangelicals Want to Believe<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>), [[Islam]] (20 million, 1.5%), [[Hinduism]], [[Dongbaism]], [[Bön|Bon]], and a number of new religions and sects (particularly [[Xiantianism]] and [[Falun Gong]]).

A government official recently suggested that there are 16 million Christians.<ref>{{cite web | title=Chinese government official statistics on Christian population in China | url=http://hrwf.org/religiousfreedom/news/2007PDF/China%202007.doc | publisher=hrwf.org | accessdate=2007-08-27}}</ref> However, an independent survey by [[East China Normal University]] estimated the Christian population at 40 million, much higher than the government's numbers but much lower than numbers favored by some Western observers.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/china/story/0,,2007690,00.html | title=Christian population in China | publisher=guardian.co.uk | accessdate=2007-08-27}}</ref> Official figures also indicate that there are about 20 million [[Muslim]]s.<ref>Counting up the number of people of traditionally Muslim nationalities who were enumerated in the 1990 census gives a total of 17.6 million, 96% of whom belong to just three nationalities: Hui 8.6 million, Uyghurs 7.2 million, and Kazakhs 1.1 million. Other nationalities that are traditionally Muslim include Kyrghyz, Tajiks, Uzbeks, Tatars, Salar, Bonan, and Dongxiang. See Dru C. Gladney, "Islam in China: Accommodation or Separatism?", Paper presented at Symposium on Islam in Southeast Asia and China, Hong Kong, 2002. Available at http://www.islamsymposium.cityu.edu.hk. The 2000 census reported a total of 20.3 million members of Muslim nationalities, of which again 96% belonged to just three groups: Hui 9.8 million, Uyghurs 8.4 million, and Kazakhs 1.25 million.</ref>

According to the surveys of Phil Zuckerman on [[Adherents.com]]; in 1998, 59.10% (over 700 million)<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/Na/Na_473.html Adherents.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> of the Chinese population was [[irreligious]].

===Sports and recreation===
{{main|Sports in China}}

China has one of the [[Sports in China|oldest sporting cultures]] in the world, spanning the course of several millennia. There is, in fact, evidence that a form of [[Association football|football (soccer)]] was first played in [[China]] in ancient times, leading many historians to believe that the popular sport originated from China.<ref>[http://athleticscholarships.net/history-of-soccer.htm Origins of the Great Game]. 2000. Athleticscholarships.net. Accessed [[23 April]] [[2006]].</ref> Besides soccer,<ref>[http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=370457&cc=5901 ESPN Soccernet]. 2002. ESPN Soccernet. Accessed [[26 January]] [[2006]]</ref> some of the most popular sports in the country include [[Chinese martial arts|martial arts]], [[table tennis]], [[badminton]], [[swimming]], [[basketball]], and more recently, [[golf]] and [[Rugby football|rugby]]. [[Board game]]s such as [[Go (board game)|Go]] (Weiqi), and [[Xiangqi]] (Chinese chess) and recently [[Chess]] are also commonly played and have organized competitions.

[[Physical fitness]] is widely emphasized in [[culture of China|Chinese culture]]. Morning exercises are a common activity and often one can find the elderly practicing [[qigong]] and [[tai chi chuan]] in parks or students doing stretches on school campuses. Young people are especially keen on [[basketball]], especially in urban centers with limited space and grass areas. The [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] has a huge following among Chinese youths, with [[Yao Ming]] being the idol of many.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.time.com/time/asia/2003/heroes/yao_ming.html |title=Yao Ming |accessdate=2007-03-30 |last=Beech |first=Hannah |year=2003 |format=HTML |work=Asian Heros |publisher=Time Magazine }}</ref> The [[2008 Summer Olympics]], officially known as the ''Games of the XXIX Olympiad'', will be held in [[Beijing]], and as a result the country has put even more emphasis on sports.

Many traditional sports are also played. The popular Chinese [[dragon boat]] [[dragon boat racing|racing]] (龙舟) occurs during the [[Dragon Boat Festival]]. In [[Inner Mongolia]], sports such as [[Mongolian wrestling|Mongolian-style wrestling]] and [[horse racing]] are popular. In [[Tibet Autonomous Region|Tibet]], [[archery]] and [[equestrianism]] are a part of traditional festivals.<ref>Qinfa, Ye. [http://chineseculture.about.com/library/weekly/aa032301a.htm Sports History of China]. About.com. Retrieved [[April 21]] [[2006]].</ref>

{{seealso|Chinese art|Chinese architecture|Han Chinese clothing|Chinese cuisine|Traditional Chinese medicine|Chinese literature|Chinese mythology|Cinema of China|Chinese animation|Music of China|Public holidays in the People's Republic of China|List of Chinese people}}


'''China''' ({{zh-tsht|t={{linktext|中|國}}|s={{linktext|中|国}} |hp={{Audio|zh-zhongguo.ogg|Zhōngguó}}|tp=Jhongguó}}; [[Wade-Giles]] ([[Mandarin (linguistics)|Mandarin]]): Chung¹kuo²) is a [[Culture of China|cultural region]], an ancient [[civilization]], and a
[[nation]]al or [[multinational]] entity in [[East Asia]].


China has one of the world's oldest continuous civilizations, consisting of states and [[Culture of China|cultures]] dating back more than six millennia. It has the world's longest continuously used [[Chinese writing system|written language system]], and the source of [[List of Chinese inventions|such major inventions]] as what the British scholar and biochemist [[Joseph Needham]] called the [[Four Great Inventions of Ancient China]]: [[paper]], the [[compass]], [[gunpowder]], and [[printing]].
China has one of the world's oldest continuous civilizations, consisting of states and [[Culture of China|cultures]] dating back more than six millennia. It has the world's longest continuously used [[Chinese writing system|written language system]], and the source of [[List of Chinese inventions|such major inventions]] as what the British scholar and biochemist [[Joseph Needham]] called the [[Four Great Inventions of Ancient China]]: [[paper]], the [[compass]], [[gunpowder]], and [[printing]].
Line 192: Line 6:




The '''People's Republic of China''' ({{zh|s={{linktext|中|华|人|民|共|和|国}}|t={{linktext|中|華|人|民|共|和|國}}|p=Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó}} {{Audio|Zh-Zhonghua renmin gongheguo.ogg|listen}}), commonly known as '''China''', is the largest country in [[East Asia]] and [[List of countries and outlying territories by total area|the third or fourth largest country in the world.]]<ref>Area rank is disputed with the United States and is either ranked third or fourth. See [[List of countries and outlying territories by area]] for more information.</ref> With a population of over 1.3 billion it is the [[List of countries by population|most populous country in the world]]. [[Beijing]] is the capital.
==Territory and environment==
===Historical political divisions===
{{main|History of the political divisions of China}}
[[Image:Territories of Dynasties in China.gif|250px|thumb|right|Territories occupied by different dynasties as well as modern political states throughout the history of China.]]
Top-level political divisions of China have altered as administrations changed. Top levels included [[circuit (political division)|circuit]]s and [[province of China|province]]s. Below that, there have been [[prefecture of China|prefecture]]s, [[subprefecture]]s, [[Department (subnational entity)|departments]], [[commanderies]], [[district of China|district]]s, and [[county of China|counties]]. Recent divisions also include [[prefecture-level cities]], [[county-level cities]], [[town of China|town]]s and [[township of China|township]]s.


The [[Communist Party of China]] (CPC) has led the PRC under a [[single-party state|single-party system]] since the state's establishment in 1949. The PRC is involved in a long-running dispute over the [[political status of Taiwan]]. The CPC's rival during the [[Chinese Civil War]], the [[Kuomintang]] (KMT), retreated to [[Taiwan]] and [[list of islands of the Republic of China|surrounding islands]] after its civil war defeat in 1949, claiming legitimacy over China, [[Mongolia]], and [[Tuva]] while it was the ruling power of the Republic of China (ROC). The term "[[Mainland China]]" is often used to denote the areas under PRC rule, but sometimes excludes its two [[Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China|Special Administrative Region]]s: [[Hong Kong]] and [[Macau]].
Most Chinese dynasties were based in the historical heartlands of China, known as [[China proper]]. Various dynasties also [[expansionism|expanded]] into peripheral territories like [[Inner Mongolia]], [[Manchuria]], [[Xinjiang]], and [[Tibet]]. The [[Manchu]]-established [[Qing Dynasty]] and its successors, the ROC and the PRC, incorporated these territories into the Chinese empire.


It has the world's [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|fourth largest economy]] and [[List of countries by GDP (PPP)|second largest]] [[purchasing power parity]]. [[China and the United Nations|China]] is also a permanent member of the [[United Nations]] [[United Nations Security Council|Security Council]] and [[Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation]].<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A40192-2005Jan26.html China Passes U.S. In Trade With Japan]</ref><ref>[http://www.ifans.go.kr/ICSFiles/afieldfile/2005/07/05/policybrief05_3.pdf Trade Policy Outlook for Second-term Bush Administration] </ref><ref>[http://www.econstrat.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=59 China - Taiwan Economic Ties]</ref><ref>[http://www.jamestown.org/publications_details.php?volume_id=408&issue_id=3322&article_id=2369703 Beijing's Growing Politico-Economic Leverage Over Ulaanbaatar]</ref> Since 1978, China's market-based economic reforms have brought the poverty rate down from 53% in 1981 to 8% by 2001.<ref>[http://econ.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/EXTDEC/EXTRESEARCH/0,,contentMDK:20634060~pagePK:64165401~piPK:64165026~theSitePK:469382,00.html Fighting Poverty: Findings and Lessons from China’s Success] (World Bank). Retrieved [[August 10]] [[2006]].</ref> However, China is now faced with a number of other economic problems, including an aging population, an increasing rural-urban income gap, and rapid environmental degradation.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/29/world/asia/29china.html?_r=1&oref=slogin Beijing’s Olympic Quest: Turn Smoggy Sky Blue - New York Times<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6247119.stm BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | China fails environment targets<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
==Society==
===Culture===
{{main|Culture of China}}
{{see also|Chinese law|Chinese philosophy|Confucianism}}
Confucianism was the official philosophy throughout most of [[Imperial China]]'s history, and mastery of Confucian texts was the primary criterion for [[Imperial examination|entry into the imperial bureaucracy]]. China's traditional values were derived from various versions of [[Confucianism]]. A number of more [[authoritarianism|authoritarian]] strains of thought have also been influential, such as [[Legalism (philosophy)|Legalism]]. There was often conflict between the philosophies, e.g. the [[Song Dynasty]] [[Neo-Confucianism|Neo-Confucians]] believed [[Legalism (philosophy)|Legalism]] departed from the original spirit of Confucianism. Examinations and a [[meritocracy|culture of merit]] remain greatly valued in China today. In recent years, a number of [[New Confucianism|New Confucians]] (not to be confused with Neo-Confucianism) have advocated that democratic ideals and human rights are quite compatible with traditional Confucian "Asian values".<ref>Bary, Theodore de. [http://web.archive.org/web/20050311041507/http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ccba/cear/issues/fall97/graphics/special/debary/debary.htm "Constructive Engagement with Asian Values"]. Columbia University.</ref>
[[Image:Wang-yang-ming.jpg|thumb|120px|left|[[Wang Yangming]], a highly influential [[Neo-Confucian]].]]
With the rise of Western [[Economics|economic]] and [[military]] power beginning in the mid-19th century, non-Chinese systems of social and political organization gained adherents in China. Some of these would-be reformers totally rejected China's cultural legacy, while others sought to combine the strengths of Chinese and Western cultures. In essence, the history of 20th century China is one of experimentation with new systems of social, [[political]], and economic organization that would allow for the reintegration of the nation in the wake of dynastic collapse.


China plays a major role in international trade. The country is the world's largest consumer of steel and concrete, using, respectively, a third and over a half of the world's supply of each.<ref>[http://www.cintrafor.org/CONFERENCE_TAB/China%20Conf%202006/Boardman%202006.pdf Center for International Trade in Forest Products] China’s Building Boom. Retrieved [[December 2]] [[2006]],</ref> China is the biggest consumer of copper in the world.<ref>[http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000086&refer=latin_america&sid=aCmpXmP4yKGg Bloomberg.com: Latin America<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Counting all products, China is the third largest importer and the second largest exporter in the world.<ref>[[The World Factbook]], [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2087rank.html Rank Order - Imports].</ref><ref>[http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2007-04/12/content_849420.htm WTO: China Daily]</ref>
====Arts, scholarship, and literature====
{{main|Chinese art|History of Chinese art}}
{{see also|Chinese art|Chinese painting|Chinese paper art|Chinese calligraphy|Chinese poetry|Cinema of China|Music of China}}
[[Image:mifu01.jpg|thumb|[[Chinese calligraphy]] by [[Mi Fu]], [[Song Dynasty]], ca. 1100 CE]]
[[Image:Bamboo book - binding - UCR.jpg|thumb|A bamboo book copy of Sun Tzu's ''[[The Art of War]]'', a 20th century reprint of a [[Qianlong Emperor|Qianlong]] imperial edition. ]]

[[Chinese character]]s have had many variants and styles throughout Chinese history. Tens of thousands of ancient written documents are still extant, from [[Oracle bones]] to Qing edicts. This literary emphasis affected the general perception of cultural refinement in China, e.g. the view that [[Chinese calligraphy|calligraphy]] was a higher art form than painting or drama. Manuscripts of the Classics and religious texts (mainly [[Confucian]], [[Taoist]], and [[Buddhist]]) were handwritten by [[ink brush]]. Calligraphy later became commercialized, and works by famous artists became prized possessions.

[[Chinese literature]] has a long past; the earliest classic work in Chinese, the ''[[I Ching]]'' or "Book of Changes" dates to around 1000 BCE. A flourishing of philosophy during the [[Warring States Period]] produced such noteworthy works as Confucius's ''[[Analects]]'' and [[Laozi]]'s ''[[Tao Te Ching]]''. (See also the [[Chinese classics]].) Dynastic histories were often written, beginning with [[Sima Qian]]'s seminal ''[[Records of the Historian]]'' written from 109 BCE to 91 BCE. The Tang Dynasty witnessed a [[Chinese poetry|poetic]] flowering, while the [[Four Great Classical Novels]] of Chinese literature were written during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

[[Printmaking]] in the form of [[movable type]] was developed during the [[Song Dynasty]]. Academies of scholars sponsored by the empire were formed to comment on the classics in both printed and handwritten form. Royalty frequently participated in these discussions as well. The Song Dynasty was also a period of great scientific literature, such as [[Su Song]]'s ''Xin Yixiang Fayao'' and [[Shen Kuo]]'s ''[[Dream Pool Essays]]''. There were also enormous works of historiography and large encyclopedias, such as [[Sima Guang]]'s ''[[Zizhi Tongjian]]'' of 1084 CE or the ''[[Four Great Books of Song]]'' fully compiled and edited by the 11th century.

For centuries, economic and social advancement in China could be provided by high performance on the [[imperial examination]]s. This led to a [[meritocracy]], although it was available only to males who could afford test preparation. Imperial examinations required applicants to write essays and demonstrate mastery of the Confucian classics. Those who passed the highest level of the exam became elite scholar-officials known as ''jinshi,'' a highly esteemed socio-economic position.

Chinese philosophers, writers and poets were highly respected and played key roles in preserving and promoting the culture of the empire. Some classical scholars, however, were noted for their daring depictions of the lives of the common people, often to the displeasure of authorities.

The Chinese invented numerous [[musical instrument]]s, such as the [[Guzheng|zheng]] (zither with movable bridges), [[guqin|qin]] (bridgeless zither), [[sheng (instrument)|sheng]]<!--Note: the sheng was most likely an adapted instrument; adapted from non-Han peoples of mainland Southeast Asia (although the Chinese version of the instruments differs from the Southeast Asian ones). As such it should be listed as an "adapted"/"adopted"--> (free reed mouth organ), and [[xiao (flute)|xiao]] (vertical flute) and adopted and developed others such the [[erhu]] (alto fiddle or bowed lute) and [[pipa]] (pear-shaped plucked lute), many of which have later spread throughout [[East Asia]] and [[Southeast Asia]], particularly to Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.

==Demography==
{{main|Ethnic groups in Chinese history|Ethnic minorities in China}}
[[Image:china ethnolinguistic 83.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Ethnolinguistic map of the [[People's Republic of China]] and the [[Republic of China]].]]
Hundreds of [[ethnicity|ethnic groups]] have existed in China throughout its history. The largest ethnic group in China by far is the [[Han Chinese|Han]]. This group is diverse in itself and can be divided into smaller ethnic groups that share some traits.

Over the last three millennia, many previously distinct ethnic groups in China have been [[Sinicization|Sinicized]] into a Han identity, which over time dramatically expanded the size of the Han population. However, these assimilations were usually incomplete and vestiges of indigenous language and culture often are still retained in different regions of China. Because of this, many within the Han identity have maintained distinct linguistic and cultural traditions, though still identifying as Han. Several ethnicities have also dramatically shaped Han culture, e.g. the Manchurian clothing called the [[qipao]] became the new "Chinese" fashion after the 17th century, replacing earlier Han styles of clothing such as the [[Hanfu]]. The modern term [[Chinese nation]] (''Zhonghua Minzu'') is now used to describe a notion of a Chinese nationality that transcends ethnic divisions.

===Languages===
{{main|Languages of China}}
Most languages in China belong to the [[Sino-Tibetan]] language family, spoken by 29 ethnicities. There are also several major ''[[dialects]]'' within the [[Chinese language]] itself. The most spoken dialects are [[Mandarin (linguistics)|Mandarin]] (spoken by over 70% of the population), [[Wu (linguistics)|Wu]] (Shanghainese), <!--Shanghainese is the common name for the Wu dialects. Please do not remove. Western sinologists and linguists use the term "Shanghainese" to generalize the Wu dialects. This is identical to Cantonese (Guangzhou-hua) being used to generalize the diverse Yue dialects.--> [[Yue (linguistics)|Yue]] (Cantonese), [[Min (linguistics)|Min]], [[Xiang (linguistics)|Xiang]], [[Gan (linguistics)|Gan]], and [[Hakka (linguistics)|Hakka]]. Non-Sinitic languages spoken widely by ethnic minorities include [[Zhuang language|Zhuang]] (Thai), [[Mongolian language|Mongolian]], [[Tibetan language|Tibetan]], [[Uyghur language|Uyghur]] (Turkic), [[Hmong language|Hmong]] and [[Korean language|Korean]].<ref name=language>[http://english.gov.cn/2005-08/16/content_23691.htm Languages]. 2005. GOV.cn. ''URL accessed 3 May 2006.''</ref>

[[Classical Chinese]] was the written standard used for thousands of years in China before the 20th century and allowed for written communication between speakers of various unintelligible languages and dialects in China. [[Vernacular Chinese]] or ''baihua'' is the written standard based on the Mandarin dialect first popularized in Ming dynasty [[novels]] and was adopted (with significant modifications) during the early 20th century as the national vernacular. Classical Chinese is still part of the high school curriculum and is thus intelligible to some degree to many Chinese.


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===Religion===
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[[Image:Mahayanabuddha.jpg|thumb|A Chinese [[Tang Dynasty]] (618–907) sculpture of the [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]] seated in [[meditation]].]]
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{{main|Religion in China}}
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The "official" orthodox faith system held by most dynasties of China until the overthrow of the last dynasty is a [[panentheism]] system, centering on the worship of "[[Tian|Heaven]]" as an omnipotent force{{Fact|date=December 2007}}. This faith system pre-dated the development of [[Confucianism]] and [[Taoism]] or the introduction of [[Buddhism]] and [[Christianity]]. It has features of a [[monotheism]] in that Heaven is seen as an omnipotent entity, endowed with personality but no corporeal form. "Heaven" as a supernatural force was variously referred to as ''[[Shangdi]]'' (literally "Emperor Above"). Worship of Heaven includes the erection of shrines, the last and greatest being the [[Altar of Heaven]] in Beijing, and the offering of prayers. Manifestation of the powers of Heaven include weather and natural disasters. Although it gradually diminished in popular belief after the advent of Taoism and Buddhism, among others, some of its concepts remained in use throughout the pre-modern period and have been incorporated in later religions of China.
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== History ==
Taoism is an indigenous religion of China and is traditionally traced to the composition of [[Lao Zi]]'s ''[[Tao Te Ching]]'' (''The Book of Tao and Its Virtues'') or to seminal works by [[Zhang Daoling]]. The philosophy of Taoism is centered on "[[Dao|the way]]"; an understanding of which can be likened to recognizing the true nature of the universe. Taoism in its unorganized form is also considered a folk religion of China. More secular derivatives of Taoist ideas include [[Feng Shui]], Sun Tzu's ''[[The Art of War|Art of War]]'', and [[acupuncture]].
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== Geography ==
Buddhism was introduced from [[India]] and [[Central Asia]] during the [[Han dynasty]] and became very popular among Chinese of all walks of life, embraced particularly by commoners, and sponsored by emperors in certain dynasties. [[Mahayana]] (大乘, ''Dacheng'') is the predominant form of Buddhism practiced in China, where it was largely [[sinification|Sinicized]] and later exported to Korea, Japan and Vietnam. Some subsets of Mahayana popular in China include [[Pure Land]] ([[Amidism]]) and [[Zen]]. Buddhism is the largest organized faith in China and the country has the most Buddhist adherents in the world, followed by Japan. Many Chinese, however, identify themselves as both Taoist and Buddhist at the same time.
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=== Climate ===
[[Ancestor worship]] is a major religious theme shared among all Chinese religions. Traditional Chinese culture, Taoism, Confucianism, and Chinese Buddhism all value [[filial piety]] as a top [[virtue]], and the act is a continued display of piety and respect towards departed ancestors. The Chinese generally offer prayers and food for the ancestors, light [[incense]] and candles, and burn offerings of [[Joss paper]]. These activities are typically conducted at the site of ancestral graves or tombs, at an ancestral temple, or at a household shrine.
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=== Environment ===
[[Islam]], [[Judaism]] and Christianity first arrived in China after the 7th century during the [[Tang Dynasty]]. Islam was later spread by merchants and craftsmen as trade routes improved along the [[Silk Road]], while Christianity began to make significant inroads in China after the 16th century through [[Jesuit]] and later [[protestant]] [[missionaries]]. Islam arrived in China during the 8th century, only a few years after the [[Prophets in Islam|Islamic prophet]] [[Muhammad]]'s death. The Emperor of China took Islam highly, and the first mosque in China, the [[Huaisheng Mosque]] was built in Canton, [[Guangzhou]] in 630. In the first half of the 20th century, many [[Jews]] arrived in [[Shanghai]] and [[Hong Kong]] during those cities' periods of economic expansion, seeking refuge from [[the Holocaust]] in [[Europe]]. Shanghai was particularly notable for its volume of Jewish refugees, as it was the only port in the world then to accept them without an entry visa.
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== Government ==
==Sports and recreation==
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[[Image:Dragon boat racing.jpg|thumb|[[Dragon boat racing]], a popular traditional Chinese sport.]]
{{main|Sports in China}}{{seealso|Sport in Taiwan}}


=== Politics ===
Many historians <!-- weasel words --> believe that [[football (soccer)]] originated in China, where a form of the sport may have appeared around 1000 CE.<ref>[http://athleticscholarships.net/history-of-soccer.htm Origins of the Great Game]. 2000. Athleticscholarships.net. Accessed 23 April 2006.</ref> Other popular sports include [[Chinese martial arts|martial arts]], [[table tennis]], [[badminton]], and more recently, [[golf]]. [[Basketball]] is now popular among young people in crowded urban centers.
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=== Military ===
There are also many traditional sports. Chinese [[dragon boat racing]] occurs during the [[Duan Wu festival]]. In [[Inner Mongolia]], Mongolian-style wrestling and [[horse racing]] are popular. In [[Tibet]], archery and [[equestrian sports]] are part of traditional festivals.<ref>Qinfa, Ye. [http://chineseculture.about.com/library/weekly/aa032301a.htm Sports History of China]. About.com. Retrieved April 21, 2006.</ref>
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== Economy ==
China has become a sports power, especially in Asia. It has finished first in medal counts in each of the Asian Games since 1982,<ref>http://www.dohaasiangames.org/en/asian_games_2006/history.html</ref> and in the top four in medal counts in each of the Summer Olympic Games since 1992.<ref>[http://www.olympic.org/uk/games/index_uk.asp International Olympic Committee - Olympic Games<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The [[2008 Summer Olympics]], officially known as the ''Games of the XXIX Olympiad'', will be held in [[Beijing]]. Currently, China has been preparing intensively for the games.
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== Society ==
[[Physical fitness]] is highly regarded. It is common for the elderly to practice [[Tai Chi Chuan]] and [[qigong]] in parks.
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=== Demographics ===
[[Board games]] such as [[International Chess]], [[Go (board game)|Go]] (Weiqi), and [[Xiangqi]] (Chinese chess) are also common and have organized formal competitions.
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=== Culture ===
==Science and technology==
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{{main|History of science and technology in China|List of Chinese inventions}}
Among the scientific accomplishments of [[ancient China]] were [[paper]] (not [[papyrus]]) and [[papermaking]], [[woodblock printing]] and [[movable type]] [[History of typography in East Asia|printing]], the early lodestone and magnetic [[compass]], [[gunpowder]], [[toilet paper]], early [[seismometer|seismological]] detectors, [[match]]es, [[dry dock#graving dry docks|dry dock]]s, [[pound lock]]s, sliding [[calipers]], the double-action [[piston pump]], [[blast furnace]] and [[cast iron]], the [[iron]] [[plough]], the multi-tube [[seed drill]], the [[wheelbarrow]], the [[suspension bridge]], the [[parachute]], [[natural gas]] as fuel, the [[escapement]] mechanism for [[clock]]s, the [[Differential (mechanical device)|differential gear]] for the [[South Pointing Chariot]], the [[hydraulic]]-powered [[armillary sphere]], the hydraulic-powered [[trip hammer]], the mechanical [[chain drive]], the mechanical [[Belt (mechanical)|belt drive]], the [[raised-relief map]], the [[propeller]], the [[crossbow]], the [[cannon]], the [[rocket]], the [[multistage rocket]], etc. Chinese [[Astronomy|astronomers]] were among the first to record observations of a [[supernova]]. The work of the astronomer [[Shen Kuo]] (1031–1095) alone was most impressive, as he theorized that the sun and moon were spherical, corrected the position of the [[polestar]] with his improved sighting tube, discovered the concept of [[true north]], wrote of [[planetary motion]]s such as [[retrogradation]], and compared the [[orbit]]al paths of the planets to points on the shape of a rotating [[willow]] leaf. With evidence for them, he also postulated [[geological]] theories for the processes of land formation in [[geomorphology]] and [[climate change]] in [[paleoclimatology]]. Yet there were many other astronomers than Shen Kuo, such as [[Gan De]], [[Shi Shen]], [[Zhang Heng]], [[Yi Xing]], [[Zhang Sixun]], [[Su Song]], etc. [[Chinese mathematics]] evolved independently of [[Greek mathematics]] and is therefore of great interest in the [[history of mathematics]]. The Chinese were also keen on documenting all of their technological achievements, such as in the ''Tiangong Kaiwu'' [[encyclopedia]] written by [[Song Yingxing]] (1587–1666).


China's [[science]] and [[technology]] fell behind that of [[Europe]] by the 17th century. Political, social and cultural reasons have been given for this, although recent historians focus more on economic causes, such as the [[high level equilibrium trap]]. Since the PRC's market reforms China has become better connected to the global economy and is placing greater emphasis on science and technology.


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 19:32, 28 October 2009

China is the third or fourth largest country in the world and has the most people. It is divided into twenty-two provinces, five autonomous regions, four municipalities, and two special administrative regions.

China has one of the world's oldest continuous civilizations, consisting of states and cultures dating back more than six millennia. It has the world's longest continuously used written language system, and the source of such major inventions as what the British scholar and biochemist Joseph Needham called the Four Great Inventions of Ancient China: paper, the compass, gunpowder, and printing.

The stalemate of the last Chinese Civil War has resulted in two political entities using the name China: the People's Republic of China (PRC), commonly known as China, which controls mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau; and the Republic of China (ROC), commonly known as Taiwan, which controls the island of Taiwan and some nearby islands.


The People's Republic of China (simplified Chinese: 中华人民共和国; traditional Chinese: 中華人民共和國; pinyin: Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó listenⓘ), commonly known as China, is the largest country in East Asia and the third or fourth largest country in the world.[1] With a population of over 1.3 billion it is the most populous country in the world. Beijing is the capital.

The Communist Party of China (CPC) has led the PRC under a single-party system since the state's establishment in 1949. The PRC is involved in a long-running dispute over the political status of Taiwan. The CPC's rival during the Chinese Civil War, the Kuomintang (KMT), retreated to Taiwan and surrounding islands after its civil war defeat in 1949, claiming legitimacy over China, Mongolia, and Tuva while it was the ruling power of the Republic of China (ROC). The term "Mainland China" is often used to denote the areas under PRC rule, but sometimes excludes its two Special Administrative Regions: Hong Kong and Macau.

It has the world's fourth largest economy and second largest purchasing power parity. China is also a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.[2][3][4][5] Since 1978, China's market-based economic reforms have brought the poverty rate down from 53% in 1981 to 8% by 2001.[6] However, China is now faced with a number of other economic problems, including an aging population, an increasing rural-urban income gap, and rapid environmental degradation.[7][8]

China plays a major role in international trade. The country is the world's largest consumer of steel and concrete, using, respectively, a third and over a half of the world's supply of each.[9] China is the biggest consumer of copper in the world.[10] Counting all products, China is the third largest importer and the second largest exporter in the world.[11][12]

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History[edit]

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Geography[edit]

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Climate[edit]

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Environment[edit]

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Government[edit]

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Politics[edit]

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Military[edit]

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Economy[edit]

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Society[edit]

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Demographics[edit]

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Culture[edit]

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References[edit]

  1. ^ Area rank is disputed with the United States and is either ranked third or fourth. See List of countries and outlying territories by area for more information.
  2. ^ China Passes U.S. In Trade With Japan
  3. ^ Trade Policy Outlook for Second-term Bush Administration
  4. ^ China - Taiwan Economic Ties
  5. ^ Beijing's Growing Politico-Economic Leverage Over Ulaanbaatar
  6. ^ Fighting Poverty: Findings and Lessons from China’s Success (World Bank). Retrieved August 10 2006.
  7. ^ Beijing’s Olympic Quest: Turn Smoggy Sky Blue - New York Times
  8. ^ BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | China fails environment targets
  9. ^ Center for International Trade in Forest Products China’s Building Boom. Retrieved December 2 2006,
  10. ^ Bloomberg.com: Latin America
  11. ^ The World Factbook, Rank Order - Imports.
  12. ^ WTO: China Daily

35°00′N 105°00′E / 35.000°N 105.000°E / 35.000; 105.000

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