China

China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the second-most populous country after India, with a population of over 1.4 billion people. China borders fourteen countries by land and covers an area of 9.6 million square kilometers (3,700,000 sq mi), making it the third-largest country by area. The country has 33 main areas: 22 provinces, 5 autonomous regions, 4 municipalities, and 2 semi-autonomous special administrative regions. Beijing is the capital, and Shanghai is the most populous city by urban area and a big financial center.

People have lived in China since the Paleolithic era. By the second millennium BCE, early states formed near the Yellow River. Over time, many new ideas developed in areas like literature and philosophy. In 221 BCE, China became one country under an emperor. Important inventions from China include gunpowder, paper, printing, and the compass. China also built the famous Great Wall and helped create trade routes like the Silk Road. Chinese culture has had a big effect on nearby areas and the rest of the world.

Since 1949, China has been led by the Chinese Communist Party as its only ruling group. It is one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and belongs to many international groups. China has a very large economy and is one of the richest countries. It is the world's largest manufacturer and exporter. China is also known for its cuisine and its rich culture. The country has many different plants and animals and 60 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Etymology

Main article: Names of China

The word "China" has been used in English since the 1500s. It comes from many old languages. It started from Sanskrit in ancient India. Then it moved through Persian, Malay, and Portuguese before it reached English.

The official name today is the "People's Republic of China." A shorter name, "China," means "Middle Kingdom." People have used this name for a very long time, since ancient times.

History

Main article: History of China

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Chinese history.

Prehistory

Archaeological evidence shows that early hominids lived in China over 2 million years ago. Fossils of Peking Man, an ancient Homo erectus, are from between 680,000 and 780,000 years ago. Teeth from Homo sapiens found in Fuyan Cave are about 125,000 to 80,000 years old. Early writing appeared in places like Jiahu, Damaidi, Dadiwan, and Banpo thousands of years ago.

Early dynastic rules

Further information: Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, Xia dynasty, Shang dynasty, Zhou dynasty, Spring and Autumn period, and Warring States period

Traditional stories tell of the Xia dynasty beginning around 2000 BCE, though historians debate if it really existed. The Shang dynasty, which followed, is the earliest dynasty with clear proof, ruling around the Yellow River valley from about 1300 BCE. They used a special writing system on bones, known as the oracle bone script, which is the oldest form of written Chinese.

The Zhou dynasty took over from the Shang and ruled from 1046 to 256 BCE. During their time, the country split into many smaller states that fought each other, especially during the Warring States period.

Imperial China

Further information: Chinese Empire and History of China § Imperial China

Qin and Han

The Warring States period ended in 221 BCE when the state of Qin united China under its leader, Qin Shi Huang. He made many changes, like standardizing writing, measurements, and coins. The Qin dynasty didn’t last long, ending soon after Qin Shi Huang’s death.

The Han dynasty followed and ruled from 206 BCE to 220 CE. They expanded China’s lands far and wide and helped create the famous Silk Road trade route.

Three Kingdoms, Jin, Northern and Southern dynasties

After the Han dynasty ended, China went through a tough time with many battles. The Jin dynasty tried to bring peace but faced problems. Later, the Northern Wei and Liu Song ruled different parts of the land until the Sui brought them back together in 589.

Sui, Tang and Song

The Sui dynasty made big changes like building the Grand Canal and supporting Buddhism. They didn’t last long because of problems with their plans.

The Tang and Song dynasties were golden ages for China. They made advances in science, like using gunpowder and the compass, and in printing. Cities grew big and busy, and trade along the maritime Silk Road boomed.

Yuan, Ming and Qing

The Mongols took over China and started the Yuan dynasty in 1271. Later, the Ming dynasty brought back strong rule and built a powerful navy. In 1644, the Qing dynasty took over, which was the last imperial dynasty. They ruled until 1912.

Republic of China

Main article: Republic of China (1912–1949)

Further information: 1911 Revolution, Second Sino-Japanese War, Chinese Civil War, and Chinese Communist Revolution

In 1912, China became the Republic of China. There were many changes and challenges, including wars and political fights. Japan invaded parts of China in the 1930s, leading to big battles. After World War II, fighting between different groups continued until 1949.

People's Republic of China

Main article: History of the People's Republic of China

In 1949, the Communist Party took control of mainland China and started the People’s Republic of China. They made big changes in farming and industry. In the late 1970s, new leaders began modernizing the country. China grew very fast economically, becoming one of the world’s largest economies.

Geography

Main article: Geography of China

China has a big and changing landscape. It has deserts in the north and forests in the south. Major mountain ranges like the Himalaya separate China from South and Central Asia. The Yangtze and Yellow Rivers flow from the Tibetan Plateau to the eastern coast. China's coastline along the Pacific Ocean is very long.

The land of China lies between latitudes 18° and 54° N, and longitudes 73° and 135° E. The land changes a lot, with flat areas in the east, grassy areas in the north, and hilly and mountainous areas in the south and west. The highest point in China is Mount Everest on the border with Nepal. The lowest point is Ayding Lake in the Turpan Depression. Even though China is very wide, it uses one time zone, China Standard Time (UTC+8).

Climate

Main article: Climate of China

Further information: Great Green Wall (China)

China has dry seasons and wet monsoons. This makes the temperature change a lot between winter and summer. Northern winds are cold and dry in winter, and southern winds are warm and wet in summer.

A big problem is that deserts are growing, especially the Gobi Desert. Trees have helped reduce sandstorms, but dust storms still happen in northern China each spring. Water quality, erosion, and pollution are important issues for China and its neighbors. Melting glaciers in the Himalayas could cause water problems for many people.

Biodiversity

Main article: Wildlife of China

China has many different kinds of animals and plants. It is one of the world's megadiverse countries. However, many species are in danger because of loss of homes, pollution, and hunting. China has many nature reserves to protect wildlife.

China has many types of forests, from cold coniferous forests in the north to subtropical and tropical rainforests in the south. These forests are home to many plants and animals, including bamboo and rhododendrons.

Environment

Main articles: Environment of China and Environmental issues in China

See also: Renewable energy in China, Water resources of China, Energy policy of China, and Climate change in China

In the early 2000s, China had environmental problems because industries grew very fast. Although there are rules, they are sometimes not followed to help the economy. China has worked to reduce pollution, especially in the 2010s. In 2020, the government set goals to reach peak emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. China invests a lot in renewable energy and leads in making and using solar and wind power. In 2025, 42% of China's energy came from clean sources.

Political geography

Main articles: Borders of China, Coastline of China, and Territorial changes of the People's Republic of China

China is the second-largest country by land area after Russia. It has the longest land border in the world, and it borders 14 nations. China shares land with countries in Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, and Inner and Northeast Asia. It also has neighbors across the Pacific Ocean.

China has settled its land borders with 12 of its 14 neighboring countries, but it still has disagreements with India and Bhutan. It is also involved in disagreements over islands in the East and South China Seas, like the Senkaku Islands (called the Diaoyu Islands by China) and the South China Sea Islands.

Government and politics

Main article: Politics of China

See also: Party and state leaders and List of current Chinese provincial leaders

The People's Republic of China is a communist state led by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The CCP follows socialism with Chinese characteristics. The Chinese constitution says China is a socialist state led by the working class.

China says it is a democracy, but many people think it is an authoritarian state with limits on freedoms.

Chinese Communist Party

Main article: Chinese Communist Party

The CCP is the only ruling party in China. Its top leader is the general secretary, who is currently Xi Jinping. The CCP controls all levels of government.

Government

Main article: Government of China

See also: List of national leaders of the People's Republic of China

The National People's Congress (NPC) is China's highest government body. It elects the president, who is Xi Jinping, and the premier, who is Li Qiang. The NPC often follows decisions made by the CCP.

Administrative divisions

Main articles: Administrative divisions of China, Districts of Hong Kong, and Municipalities and parishes of Macau

China is divided into 23 provinces, five autonomous regions, four direct-administered municipalities, and two special administrative regions: Hong Kong and Macau. China also claims the island of Taiwan as part of its territory.

Foreign relations

Main article: Foreign relations of China

China has diplomatic ties with most countries and is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. China works with many countries and started the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013.

Military

Main articles: Military budget of China, People's Liberation Army, and Paramilitary forces of China

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) is China's military, controlled by the CCP. It includes the Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, and Rocket Force. The PLA is led by the Central Military Commission, chaired by the top leader.

Economy

Main article: Economy of China

China has the world's second-largest economy and the largest when measuring by purchasing power parity (PPP). Since 1978, China has grown very fast, usually more than 5 percent each year. Its economy grew from $150 billion in 1978 to over $18 trillion by 2024.

China has been a strong economy for much of history. Since 1978, it has become important in world trade and investment. The country uses a mix of market forces and government planning, with many state-owned enterprises playing big roles. Private businesses have also grown fast and now make up more than 60% of China's economy.

Wealth

See also: Income inequality in China

China holds about 18.6% of the world's total wealth, second only to the U.S. It has helped many people move out of extreme poverty since 1978. While big cities are very rich, rural areas are less prosperous, causing differences across the country.

Industry and services

China makes more things than any other country, producing over 30% of all global goods. It makes the most steel, rare earths, and electronics, and builds the most ships. China also has the biggest car market and leads in electric vehicles.

The country is strong in retail and finance, with three of the world's largest stock markets in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Shenzhen. China also leads in online shopping and has the world's largest banking sector.

China in the global economy

China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001 and became the world's largest trading nation by 2013. It keeps lots of foreign money and invests in many countries. China is working to use its own currency, the renminbi, more in world trade.

Tourism

Main articles: Tourism in China and List of World Heritage Sites in China

China welcomes many visitors from other countries and has billions of trips by its own people each year. It has many important historical places and is very popular with tourists.

Science and technology

Main articles: Science and technology in China, List of Chinese discoveries, and List of Chinese inventions

Historical

Main article: History of science and technology in China

Ancient China made important discoveries such as papermaking, printing, the compass, and gunpowder. Later, other countries passed China in science and technology.

Modern era

Since the late 1970s, China has spent a lot on science and now uses about 2.7% of its economy for research. It ranks high in innovation and creates many scientific papers. China leads in robotics and artificial intelligence.

Space program

China began its space program in 1958. In 2003, it became the third country to send a person into space. Since then, China has landed on the Moon, sent a rover to Mars, and built its own space station. China plans to send people to the Moon by 2030.

Infrastructure

China has built many impressive structures and systems. It has the world's largest high-speed rail network and the most very tall buildings. The biggest power plant is the Three Gorges Dam. China also has a big network for sending electricity and a satellite navigation system with many satellites.

China has the most people using cellphones, the internet, and broadband connections. Many people use 4G and 5G services. China made its own satellite navigation system called BeiDou.

China's transport system has many highways, railways, and airports. It has the longest highway system and the second-longest railway network. The high-speed rail system is the longest and busiest, with very fast trains. Many cities have busy public transportation. China has many airports and ports, including the world's busiest port.

Providing clean water and proper sanitation is a challenge because many people are moving to cities and there isn't enough water. Many homes in the countryside now have basic sanitation. The South–North Water Transfer Project helps bring water to areas that need it.

Main article: Telecommunications in China

Main article: Transport in China

Main article: Water supply and sanitation in China

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of China

The 2020 Chinese census counted about 1.4 billion people in China. Most people are between 15 and 59 years old. There are fewer children under 14 and adults over 60. The population is growing very slowly. Since 2022, more people have died than have been born. In 2023, the number of babies born was the smallest since 1949.

Population policies

Main article: Family planning policies of China

China once had strict rules about how many children a family could have, like the one-child policy. These rules have changed to allow two or three children per family. This change happened because of worries about aging populations. These policies may have affected the number of boys and girls born, but the balance has gotten better in recent years.

Urbanization

Main article: Urbanization in China

See also: List of cities in China, List of cities in China by population, and Megalopolises in China

More people in China now live in cities than in the countryside. By 2025, over 68% of the population lived in urban areas. China has many big cities, including Chongqing, Shanghai, and Beijing, some with populations over 20 million.

Ethnic groups

Main articles: List of ethnic groups in China, Ethnic minorities in China, and Ethnic groups in Chinese history

China has 56 recognized ethnic groups. The largest group is the Han Chinese, making up over 91% of the population. Other groups make up less than 10% and live in different parts of the country.

Languages

Main articles: Languages of China and List of endangered languages in China

China has many languages. The most common is Mandarin, spoken by 80% of people. Other languages include Cantonese, Wu, and many others spoken by different ethnic groups.

Religion

Main article: Religion in China

China has many religious traditions, including Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. The government does not believe in any religion, but many people practice folk religions or mix different beliefs. Some ethnic groups also follow religions like Tibetan Buddhism or Islam.

Education

Main articles: Education in China and Higher education in China

Education in China includes nine years of required schooling, followed by exams to enter university. China has a large education system with millions of students and teachers. Many universities in China are among the best in the world.

Health

Main article: Health in China

See also: Medicine in China and Pharmaceutical industry in China

China's health system has improved a lot since the 1950s, with better food and healthcare. Life expectancy is now over 79 years, and infant mortality has gone down. However, there are still challenges, such as air pollution, smoking, and obesity. China has faced health issues like SARS and COVID-19, which needed strong public health actions.

Culture

Main articles: Chinese culture and Culture of the People's Republic of China

Chinese culture has developed over thousands of years, with big ideas from Confucianism. This culture has spread to parts of East and Southeast Asia. For much of history, people could improve their lives by doing very well on important tests called imperial examinations, which began in the Han dynasty. These tests focused on literature and made people value arts like calligraphy, poetry, and painting.

Even though there was a time called the Cultural Revolution when old traditions were challenged, many traditional arts, music, and styles have returned. Today, people in China still respect these old ways and also enjoy new forms of culture.

Art

Main article: Chinese art

Architecture

Main articles: Chinese architecture and List of World Heritage Sites in China

Chinese architecture has developed over thousands of years and influenced buildings in Japan, Korea, and Mongolia. It is known for its balance and symmetry, using open spaces and following ideas like feng shui. Buildings look different depending on who they were built for—like emperors, regular people, or religious groups—and also where they are in China.

Literature

Main article: Chinese literature

Chinese literature goes back a very long time, with important books and poems that taught many lessons. Famous stories and novels from long ago are still loved today. After big changes in the early 1900s, new kinds of writing appeared, and China now has many different books and stories.

Music

Main articles: Music of China, C-pop, Chinese opera, Performance art in China, and Chinese dance

Music in China includes both old traditions and modern styles. Traditional instruments and operas have been part of Chinese life for thousands of years. Today, people also enjoy popular music, hip hop, and other new styles.

Fashion

Main articles: Chinese clothing and Hanfu

Traditional Chinese clothing, known as Hanfu, is still admired today. Modern fashion, including special dresses and fashion weeks, is also very popular in China.

Media

Main articles: Mass media in China and Cinema of China

China has many ways to share news and entertainment, like television, newspapers, radio, and magazines. Big government-controlled groups run most of these. China also makes many movies and has a large internet, although some foreign websites are blocked.

Cuisine

Main article: Chinese cuisine

Chinese food comes in many different styles from different parts of the country. It uses many cooking methods and ingredients. Rice and wheat foods are common, and pork is the most popular meat. There are also special foods for different cultures and religions.

Sports

China has a long history of sports, including archery and early forms of football. Today, basketball is very popular, and China has many cyclists and enjoys sports like martial arts, table tennis, and swimming. China has hosted several big sporting events, including the Summer and Winter Olympics.