Country	China
Capital	Beijing
Continent	Asia
Currency	Renminbi(yuan)(CNY)
Languages	Standard Chinese, Mongolian, Tibetan, Uyghur & Zhuang

Locaion

Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam

Geographic Co ordinates

35 00 N, 105 00 E

Land Boundries

Total:22,117 km
Border countries:Afghanistan 76 km, Bhutan 470 km, Burma 2,185 km, India 3,380 km, Kazakhstan 1,533 km, North Korea 1,416 km, Kyrgyzstan 858 km, Laos 423 km, Mongolia 4,677 km, Nepal 1,236 km, Pakistan 523 km, Russia (northeast) 3,605 km, Russia (northwest) 40 km, Tajikistan 414 km, Vietnam 1,281 km
regional borders: Hong Kong 30 km, Macau 0.34 km

Geography - note

world's fourth largest country (after Russia, Canada, and US); Mount Everest on the border with Nepal is the world's tallest peak

Population

1,330,141,295 (July 2010 est.)
Country comparison to the world:1

Nationality

Noun:Chinese (singular and plural)
Adjective:Chinese

Ethnic groups

Han Chinese 91.5%, Zhuang, Manchu, Hui, Miao, Uyghur, Tujia, Yi, Mongol, Tibetan, Buyi, Dong, Yao, Korean, and other nationalities 8.5% (2000 census)

Religions

Daoist (Taoist), Buddhist, Christian 3%-4%, Muslim 1%-2%
note: officially atheist (2002 est.)

Languages

Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the Beijing dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghainese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages (see Ethnic groups entry)

Country Name

Conventional long form:People's Republic of China
Conventional short form: China
Local long form:Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo
Local short form:Zhongguo
abbreviation: PRC

Government Type

Communist state

Capital

Name:Beijing
Geographic coordinates:39 55 N, 116 23 E
Time difference:UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
note: despite its size, all of China falls within one time zone; many people in Xinjiang Province observe an unofficial "Xinjiang timezone" of UTC+6, two hours behind Beijing

Administrative divisions

23 provinces (sheng, singular and plural), 5 autonomous regions (zizhiqu, singular and plural), and 4 municipalities (shi, singular and plural)
provinces: Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang; (see note on Taiwan)
autonomous regions: Guangxi, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Xinjiang Uygur, Xizang (Tibet)
municipalities: Beijing, Chongqing, Shanghai, Tianjin
note: China considers Taiwan its 23rd province; see separate entries for the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau

Independence

221 BC (unification under the Qin Dynasty); 1 January 1912 (Qing Dynasty replaced by the Republic of China); 1 October 1949 (People's Republic of China established)

National Holiday

Anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, 1 October (1949)

Constitution

most recent promulgation 4 December 1982 with amendments in 1988, 1993, 2004

Legal system

based on civil law system; derived from Soviet and continental civil code legal principles; legislature retains power to interpret statutes; constitution ambiguous on judicial review of legislation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

Chief of state: President HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003); Vice President XI Jinping (since 15 March 2008)
Head of government:Premier WEN Jiabao (since 16 March 2003); Executive Vice Premier LI Keqiang (17 March 2008), Vice Premier HUI Liangyu (since 17 March 2003), Vice Premier ZHANG Deijiang (since 17 March 2008), and Vice Premier WANG Qishan (since 17 March 2008)
Cabinet:State Council appointed by National People's Congress
(For more information visit the World Leaders website)
Elections:president and vice president elected by National People's Congress for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held on 15-17 March 2008 (next to be held in mid-March 2013); premier nominated by president, confirmed by National People's Congress
Election results:HU Jintao elected president by National People's Congress with a total of 2,963 votes; XI Jinping elected vice president with a total of 2,919 votes

Legislative branch

unicameral National People's Congress or Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui (2,987 seats; members elected by municipal, regional, and provincial people's congresses, and People's Liberation Army to serve five-year terms)
Elections: last held in December 2007-February 2008 (date of next election to be held in late 2012 to early 2013)
Election results:percent of vote - NA; seats - 2,987
note: only members of the CCP, its eight allied parties, and sympathetic independent candidates are elected

Judicial branch

Supreme People's Court (judges appointed by the National People's Congress); Local People's Courts (comprise higher, intermediate, and basic courts); Special People's Courts (primarily military, maritime, railway transportation, and forestry courts)

Political Parties and Leaders

Chinese Communist Party or CCP [HU Jintao]; eight registered small parties controlled by CCP

Political pressure groups and leaders

no substantial political opposition groups exist

International organization participation

ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS, CDB, CICA, EAS, FAO, FATF, G-20, G-24 (observer), G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SCO, SICA (observer), UN, UN Security Council, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US

Chief of mission:Ambassador ZHANG Yesui
Chancery:3505 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
Telephone:[1] (202) 495-2000
FAX:[1] (202) 495-2190
Consulate(s) general:Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US

Chief of mission:Ambassador Jon M. HUNTSMAN, Jr.
Embassy:55 An Jia Lou Lu, 100600 Beijing
Mailing address:PSC 461, Box 50, FPO AP 96521-0002
Telephone: [86] (10) 8531-3000
FAX:[86] (10) 8531-3300
consulate(s) general: Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang, Wuhan

Flag description

red with a large yellow five-pointed star and four smaller yellow five-pointed stars (arranged in a vertical arc toward the middle of the flag) in the upper hoist-side corner; the color red represents revolution, while the stars symbolize the four social classes - the working class, the peasantry, the urban petty bourgeoisie, and the national bourgeoisie (capitalists) - united under the Communist Party of China

Video

View Larger Map

Government - Government online Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Ministry of Education
Newspapers -  China Daily Shanghai Daily The Standard People's Daily XINHUANEWS
                              Overseas Chinese Web BJD News Dayoo Ming Pao News Sing Tao
Tourism -         Ministry of Tourism

Google News

Why China’s 4.3% growth is worrying its government | Explained - The HinduWhy China’s 4.3% growth is worrying its government | Explained  The Hindu China’s economy grows at 4.3%, one of its lowest rates on record - The GuardianChina’s economy grows at 4.3%, one of its lowest rates on record  The Guardian China’s trade gap is narrowing. And other surprises - The EconomistChina’s trade gap is narrowing. And other surprises  The Economist China detains US nuclear expert on spying charge, his family says - BBCChina detains US nuclear expert on spying charge, his family says  BBC China's New Enemy? Why Beijing Is Targeting Japan I South China Fight Escalates - The Times of IndiaChina's New Enemy? Why Beijing Is Targeting Japan I South China Fight Escalates  The Times of India Relief For India, China As US Lowers 500% Russian Oil Tariff Threat To 100% - NDTVRelief For India, China As US Lowers 500% Russian Oil Tariff Threat To 100%  NDTV Trump-Xi Summit to Take Stock of China Commitments, Greer Says - Bloomberg.comTrump-Xi Summit to Take Stock of China Commitments, Greer Says  Bloomberg.com Trump to accuse China of election interference in US, claim Beijing breached voter databases: Report - FirstpostTrump to accuse China of election interference in US, claim Beijing breached voter databases: Report  Firstpost People in Many Countries Now View China More Positively Than the U.S. - Pew Research CenterPeople in Many Countries Now View China More Positively Than the U.S.  Pew Research Center China Wants More Babies—So It’s Cracking Down on Chatbot Love Affairs - WSJChina Wants More Babies—So It’s Cracking Down on Chatbot Love Affairs  WSJ China’s DeepSeek Prepares to List Shares in Shanghai Next Year - WSJChina’s DeepSeek Prepares to List Shares in Shanghai Next Year  WSJ 'Like my lover': Chinese users bid farewell to AI companions - The Times of India'Like my lover': Chinese users bid farewell to AI companions  The Times of India Taiwan and Beyond: China's Multi-Front Maritime Lawfare - orfonline.orgTaiwan and Beyond: China's Multi-Front Maritime Lawfare  orfonline.org China grows at one of lowest rates on record; Thames Water has funds to survive to year end – as it happened - The GuardianChina grows at one of lowest rates on record; Thames Water has funds to survive to year end – as it happened  The Guardian Cruise ship hotel left listing in China port after high tides - Al JazeeraCruise ship hotel left listing in China port after high tides  Al Jazeera BHP wins higher quarterly iron ore prices, overcoming China's buying curbs - ReutersBHP wins higher quarterly iron ore prices, overcoming China's buying curbs  Reuters China has become more popular than U.S. in much of world, survey finds - The Washington PostChina has become more popular than U.S. in much of world, survey finds  The Washington Post China: All countries responsible for keeping global supply chain stable - chinadailyasia.comChina: All countries responsible for keeping global supply chain stable  chinadailyasia.com China’s Economy Grows at Slowest Pace in Years - The New York TimesChina’s Economy Grows at Slowest Pace in Years  The New York Times China and Xi favored over U.S. and Trump in many nations: Survey - NPRChina and Xi favored over U.S. and Trump in many nations: Survey  NPR Trump’s aides see China cheating on trade, but shun retaliation - The Japan TimesTrump’s aides see China cheating on trade, but shun retaliation  The Japan Times It AIn’t enough for China - The Times of IndiaIt AIn’t enough for China  The Times of India Apple Intelligence approved for launch in China with Alibaba’s Qwen AI - TechCrunchApple Intelligence approved for launch in China with Alibaba’s Qwen AI  TechCrunch China’s waiting game - The StatesmanChina’s waiting game  The Statesman China and Xi Jinping seen more favourably than the US and Trump in poll of major countries - The GuardianChina and Xi Jinping seen more favourably than the US and Trump in poll of major countries  The Guardian China’s Economy Grows at Weakest Pace Since 2022 - WSJChina’s Economy Grows at Weakest Pace Since 2022  WSJ China’s image in the Asia-Pacific region - Pew Research CenterChina’s image in the Asia-Pacific region  Pew Research Center After two years, China says 'yes' to allow Apple Intelligence on iPhones in the country; condition is it - The Times of IndiaAfter two years, China says 'yes' to allow Apple Intelligence on iPhones in the country; condition is it  The Times of India China sends robots out into the world to learn how to be human - The Japan TimesChina sends robots out into the world to learn how to be human  The Japan Times China’s Chip Champion to Raise Billions in Race for A.I. Control - The New York TimesChina’s Chip Champion to Raise Billions in Race for A.I. Control  The New York Times Views of China and Xi Are Improving Globally - Pew Research CenterViews of China and Xi Are Improving Globally  Pew Research Center Apple Intelligence AI service registered with Chinese cyberspace regulator - ReutersApple Intelligence AI service registered with Chinese cyberspace regulator  Reuters Why the West will struggle to beat China in pharmaceutical ingredients - South China Morning PostWhy the West will struggle to beat China in pharmaceutical ingredients  South China Morning Post Can China create the next Apple or Nvidia? - Lowy InstituteCan China create the next Apple or Nvidia?  Lowy Institute China's economy stumbles with growth below target: Report - The Times of IndiaChina's economy stumbles with growth below target: Report  The Times of India China’s economy grows 4.3% in Q2, slowest since late 2022 - NPRChina’s economy grows 4.3% in Q2, slowest since late 2022  NPR Trump era drives global opinion shift towards China as US favourability declines: Pew survey - livemint.comTrump era drives global opinion shift towards China as US favourability declines: Pew survey  livemint.com Global Investors Hunt For Creative Backdoors Into China’s Mega CXMT IPO - Bloomberg.comGlobal Investors Hunt For Creative Backdoors Into China’s Mega CXMT IPO  Bloomberg.com China posts slowest quarterly growth since 2022 as investment slumps, fanning stimulus calls - CNBCChina posts slowest quarterly growth since 2022 as investment slumps, fanning stimulus calls  CNBC Murati Knows OpenAI’s Secrets. Her New AI Signals She Prefers China’s. - ForbesMurati Knows OpenAI’s Secrets. Her New AI Signals She Prefers China’s.  Forbes China's H1 industrial output beats forecasts at 5.3% - Fibre2FashionChina's H1 industrial output beats forecasts at 5.3%  Fibre2Fashion FirstFT: China’s economy grows at one of lowest rates in years - Financial TimesFirstFT: China’s economy grows at one of lowest rates in years  Financial Times BRI network for trade spurs shared growth - chinadailyasia.comBRI network for trade spurs shared growth  chinadailyasia.com American AI is expensive. Some startups are turning to cheap Chinese models - NPRAmerican AI is expensive. Some startups are turning to cheap Chinese models  NPR India bets billions on breaking China’s grip on smartphone manufacturing - TechCrunchIndia bets billions on breaking China’s grip on smartphone manufacturing  TechCrunch India’s linguistic diversity emerges as key battleground in US-China AI race - Communications TodayIndia’s linguistic diversity emerges as key battleground in US-China AI race  Communications Today China Sends Robots Out Into the World to Learn How to Be Human - Bloomberg.comChina Sends Robots Out Into the World to Learn How to Be Human  Bloomberg.com China’s economy grows at one of lowest rates in decades - Financial TimesChina’s economy grows at one of lowest rates in decades  Financial Times As China’s global star rises, how is Washington planning to adjust? - The Christian Science MonitorAs China’s global star rises, how is Washington planning to adjust?  The Christian Science Monitor White House weighs releasing controversial intel on China and US elections, sources say - ReutersWhite House weighs releasing controversial intel on China and US elections, sources say  Reuters China Is Sabotaging the World That Enables Its Rise - Foreign AffairsChina Is Sabotaging the World That Enables Its Rise  Foreign Affairs China introduces rules to rein in AI companion bots amid emotional dependency concerns - news.cgtn.comChina introduces rules to rein in AI companion bots amid emotional dependency concerns  news.cgtn.com Project 18A: Inside India's ?1 Lakh Crore Plan To Match China's PLA Navy, Ship For Ship - The Times of IndiaProject 18A: Inside India's ?1 Lakh Crore Plan To Match China's PLA Navy, Ship For Ship  The Times of India China Turns Against an Australian Mining Giant It Helped Grow - Bloomberg.comChina Turns Against an Australian Mining Giant It Helped Grow  Bloomberg.com Pakistan's Libya peace push has a China connection and $4 billion price tag - The Times of IndiaPakistan's Libya peace push has a China connection and $4 billion price tag  The Times of India How to make AI safe—and free of America and China - The EconomistHow to make AI safe—and free of America and China  The Economist Chinese drugmakers with big ambitions struggle to recruit staff for global expansion - The Japan TimesChinese drugmakers with big ambitions struggle to recruit staff for global expansion  The Japan Times Mint Quick Edit | China’s economy is in slow gear—will it restrain its rise? - livemint.comMint Quick Edit | China’s economy is in slow gear—will it restrain its rise?  livemint.com China refineries seek less fuel oil as they opt for cheaper crude, sources say - TradingViewChina refineries seek less fuel oil as they opt for cheaper crude, sources say  TradingView EU readies crisis team for China rare earths stand-off - Financial TimesEU readies crisis team for China rare earths stand-off  Financial Times China’s Transnational Repression Is Being Met With a Deafening Silence - Council on Foreign RelationsChina’s Transnational Repression Is Being Met With a Deafening Silence  Council on Foreign Relations A New Law Heralds China’s Fraught Ethnic Future - Foreign PolicyA New Law Heralds China’s Fraught Ethnic Future  Foreign Policy China’s soft quarantine of Taiwan: What’s at stake for Europe - euractiv.comChina’s soft quarantine of Taiwan: What’s at stake for Europe  euractiv.com China Just Connected the World's Biggest Hybrid Solar Plant to the Grid - Crude Oil Prices Today | OilPrice.comChina Just Connected the World's Biggest Hybrid Solar Plant to the Grid  Crude Oil Prices Today | OilPrice.com Opinion | China’s economy on the right track despite polarised economic data - South China Morning PostOpinion | China’s economy on the right track despite polarised economic data  South China Morning Post Indonesia’s telling empty chair on the South China Sea - Asia TimesIndonesia’s telling empty chair on the South China Sea  Asia Times As US AI costs soar, global firms pivot to China’s cheap, open-weight models - South China Morning PostAs US AI costs soar, global firms pivot to China’s cheap, open-weight models  South China Morning Post When China’s open-source AI is a trap - The EconomistWhen China’s open-source AI is a trap  The Economist Bucking The Trend: China Overtakes US In Global Popularity—But India Still Backs Washington, Study Finds - News18Bucking The Trend: China Overtakes US In Global Popularity—But India Still Backs Washington, Study Finds  News18 China-backed copper mine threatens Pakistan shutdown over security risk - Financial TimesChina-backed copper mine threatens Pakistan shutdown over security risk  Financial Times People globally view China's Xi more favourably than Donald Trump, Pew poll finds - France 24People globally view China's Xi more favourably than Donald Trump, Pew poll finds  France 24 White House weighs releasing controversial intel on China and U.S. elections, sources say - The Japan TimesWhite House weighs releasing controversial intel on China and U.S. elections, sources say  The Japan Times China’s EV pirate ship is coming for Western carmakers - politico.euChina’s EV pirate ship is coming for Western carmakers  politico.eu How do views of China differ across high- and middle-income countries? - Pew Research CenterHow do views of China differ across high- and middle-income countries?  Pew Research Center China and the new era of critical minerals diplomacy - Financial TimesChina and the new era of critical minerals diplomacy  Financial Times Breakingviews - China’s local debt cleanup leaves a growth mess - ReutersBreakingviews - China’s local debt cleanup leaves a growth mess  Reuters US Senate Bill Seeks 100% Tariffs On India, China Over Russian Oil Purchases; 15 European Nations Exempt - News18US Senate Bill Seeks 100% Tariffs On India, China Over Russian Oil Purchases; 15 European Nations Exempt  News18 DeepSeek IPO lays bare China's shallow capital pool - BreakingviewsDeepSeek IPO lays bare China's shallow capital pool  Breakingviews China has detained US nuclear seismology expert since 2024, family reveals - The GuardianChina has detained US nuclear seismology expert since 2024, family reveals  The Guardian China Purges Top Official Over Corruption and Sex Charges - The New York TimesChina Purges Top Official Over Corruption and Sex Charges  The New York Times US expert on underground nuclear tests detained in China for 18 months - CNNUS expert on underground nuclear tests detained in China for 18 months  CNN China-Kazakhstan trade, logistics ties deepen via corridor expansion - China DailyChina-Kazakhstan trade, logistics ties deepen via corridor expansion  China Daily Taiwan hopes to fend off China’s threats with a ‘hornet’s nest’ of homegrown drones - NBC NewsTaiwan hopes to fend off China’s threats with a ‘hornet’s nest’ of homegrown drones  NBC News China and Korea stand out in Q2 telecom outlook - Asian Business ReviewChina and Korea stand out in Q2 telecom outlook  Asian Business Review Opinion | China’s consumption has a new, fast-growing driver: local tourists - South China Morning PostOpinion | China’s consumption has a new, fast-growing driver: local tourists  South China Morning Post China-CEEC trade rises 11% in first half, customs data shows - Yahoo FinanceChina-CEEC trade rises 11% in first half, customs data shows  Yahoo Finance Senior Chinese and North Korean officials hold talks in Pyongyang, KCNA reports - ReutersSenior Chinese and North Korean officials hold talks in Pyongyang, KCNA reports  Reuters China misses growth target for first time since Covid as Iran turmoil roils global trade - CNNChina misses growth target for first time since Covid as Iran turmoil roils global trade  CNN Police round up Hong Kong booksellers as China widens crackdown - The Washington PostPolice round up Hong Kong booksellers as China widens crackdown  The Washington Post Apple Intelligence finally gets the green light from Chinese authorities - GSMArena.com news - GSMArena.comApple Intelligence finally gets the green light from Chinese authorities - GSMArena.com news  GSMArena.com China's mega Brahmaputra dam project: What it means for India's water security - Moneycontrol.comChina's mega Brahmaputra dam project: What it means for India's water security  Moneycontrol.com World now views China more positively than U.S.: survey - Japan Wire by Kyodo NewsWorld now views China more positively than U.S.: survey  Japan Wire by Kyodo News Ukraine to buy Chinese drone parts with EU funds - Financial TimesUkraine to buy Chinese drone parts with EU funds  Financial Times Five Ways China Is Shielding Itself as the Hormuz Cease-Fire Collapses - Crude Oil Prices Today | OilPrice.comFive Ways China Is Shielding Itself as the Hormuz Cease-Fire Collapses  Crude Oil Prices Today | OilPrice.com Ties That Bind: China and North Korea's Strategic Embrace - DevdiscourseTies That Bind: China and North Korea's Strategic Embrace  Devdiscourse Apple's China breakthrough on AI provides another tailwind for its stock - CNBCApple's China breakthrough on AI provides another tailwind for its stock  CNBC China's Brahmaputra mega dam: Can it control river water flowing into India? - The Times of IndiaChina's Brahmaputra mega dam: Can it control river water flowing into India?  The Times of India US deploys Coast Guard cutters to Pacific as China tensions grow - NewsNationUS deploys Coast Guard cutters to Pacific as China tensions grow  NewsNation Chinese drugmakers with big ambitions struggle to recruit staff for global expansion - ReutersChinese drugmakers with big ambitions struggle to recruit staff for global expansion  Reuters Ember report highlights China battery potential - reNEWSEmber report highlights China battery potential  reNEWS China's $1.39T local debt cleanup slows growth, risking global market impact - PluangChina's $1.39T local debt cleanup slows growth, risking global market impact  Pluang Chipmaker CXMT seeks $10bn in largest China IPO since 2010 - Financial TimesChipmaker CXMT seeks $10bn in largest China IPO since 2010  Financial Times China Battery Storage Use Surges After Policy Shift, Ember Says - Bloomberg.comChina Battery Storage Use Surges After Policy Shift, Ember Says  Bloomberg.com This Graph Shows Why Europe, India, & China Should Adopt Cleantech ASAP - CleanTechnicaThis Graph Shows Why Europe, India, & China Should Adopt Cleantech ASAP  CleanTechnica Symphonic concert celebrates China-Vietnam friendship in Da Nang - China Daily - Global EditionSymphonic concert celebrates China-Vietnam friendship in Da Nang  China Daily - Global Edition