Overview
Historical Background:
China’s journey to the modern world began with a tumultuous 20th century. Once a thriving empire for millennia, the Qing Dynasty faced rebellions at home and exploitation by European powers abroad by the 19th century. This humiliation fueled a revolutionary spirit. The Xinhai Revolution in 1911 toppled the Qing, but China fragmented under warlords. Meanwhile, the Communist Party emerged, offering an alternative to the Nationalist government. War with Japan in the 1930s forced a temporary alliance, but a brutal civil war erupted after Japan’s defeat. The Communists emerged victorious in 1949, establishing the People’s Republic under Mao Zedong. Mao’s era of central planning and social change gave way to Deng Xiaoping’s reforms in 1978. China embraced markets and global trade, experiencing phenomenal economic growth. Today, China stands as a major world power, grappling with challenges like inequality and an aging population. Its future hinges on addressing these issues while navigating complex international relations. (354)
Country name:
People’s Republic of China
Country flag:
Geography
Beijing
Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) +8.
Area (see order: start with land area)
- Total area: 9.6 million square kilometres (960 million hectares)
- Position in world: 3
- Land surface: Mostly landlocked. Land surface is very close to the total area due to minimal bodies of water.
- Land use: Aarable land: 14.1% of its total land area is classified as arable, translating to roughly 1.35 million square kilometres (135 million hectares).
- Official Language/s: Mandarin
Climate:
- Subtropical climate: hot humid summers, and mild dry winters is typical in Southern China.
- Humid subtropical climate: characterised by hot, humid summers and mild, wet winters towards Eastern China.
- Continental climate: Hot summers and very cold, dry winters, exhibiting significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year, towards the North.
- Humid continental climate: features hot, humid summers and long, cold winters with substantial snowfall moving Northeast China.
- High-altitude alpine climate: cold temperatures, with short, cool summers and long, harsh winters typical of the Tibet Autonomous Region.
- Monsoon season: southern China witnesses more precipitation during summer monsoon season. Cold current are felt along the Eastern coasts and warm currents in the South, which impacts on regional climate patters.
States:
China exists as a unitary sovereign state, divide administratively into provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the central government, and special administrative regions.
Provinces
- Anhui
- Fujian
- Gansu
- Guangdong
- Guizhou
- Hainan
- Hebei
- Heilongjiang
- Henan
- Hubei
- Hunan
- Jiangsu
- Jiangxi
- Jilin
- Liaoning
- Qinghai
- Shaanxi
- Shandong
- Shanxi
- Sichuan
- Yunnan
- Zhejiang
Autonomous Regions
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
- Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
- Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region
- Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
- Tibet Autonomous Region
Municipalities directly under the central government
- Beijing
- Chongqing
- Shanghai
- Tianjin
- Special Administrative Regions
- Hong Kong
- Macau
Minerals/Resources:
- Coal, Rare Earth Elements (REEs), Iron Ore, Tungsten, Graphite, Antimony, other minerals, including copper, lead, zinc, gold, bauxite (aluminum ore), and fluorite.
Natural disaster susceptibility
- China faces high natural disaster risk due to its geography: mountains (landslides), active tectonic plates (earthquakes), and long coastlines (typhoons). Monsoons cause floods in the south and droughts in the north, while extreme temperatures threaten health and infrastructure. Vulnerability varies by region, with southern and eastern China most at risk. Dense population, rapid urbanisation, and uneven development worsen disaster impacts.
Border countries:
- Shares land borders with 14 countries, the most of any country in the world (tied with Russia)
- North Korea, Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam.
Maritime claims:
- China claims most of the South China Sea (nine-dash line) based on history and proximity. UNCLOS and an international tribunal rejected these claims, sparking tensions with neighbors. The resource-rich sea is vital for trade and China’s military, making peaceful resolution crucial
Political landscape:
Government type:
Officially, China describes its government as a “people’s democratic dictatorship” or “socialist consultative democracy”. In reality: It functions as a one-party state with the Communist Party of China (CPC) at the centre of power. The CPC controls all aspects of government and society.
President (head of state):
XI Jinping (since 14 March 2013).
Vice President:
Han Zheng )since 10 March 2023).
General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC):
Xi Jinping
Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC):
Xi Jinping
Premier/head of government (of State Council – China’s cabinet and chief administrative authority):
Li Qiang
Top 3 political parties and their popularity:
China is a one-party state, with the Communist Party of China (CPC) being the dominant and sole ruling party. There are eight other officially recognized minor parties, but they hold no real political power and largely function to support the CPC agenda. Therefore, there isn’t a meaningful way to measure popularity for these minor parties.
Elections and how long they’ve been in power:
The CPC has governed over China since its establishment in 1949. Elections in the People’s Republic of China occur under a one-party authoritarian political system controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).Elections are not pluralistic as no opposition is allowed. president and vice president indirectly elected by National People’s Congress; election last held on 10 March 2023 (next to be held in March 2028); premier nominated by president, confirmed by National People’s Congress
Elections:
the 14th NPC convened on 5 March 2023; the 15th NPC will convene in March 2028.
Foreign policies:
- Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity: This is paramount, including claims over Taiwan, the South China Sea, and disputed Himalayan borders. China is sensitive to any perceived challenges and reacts strongly to actions seen as undermining its territorial claims.
- Economic Growth and Stability: China prioritizes a peaceful international environment to facilitate continued economic development. This translates into building partnerships to secure access to resources and markets.
- Communist Party Rule: The party’s continued leadership is a core interest, shaping China’s approach to foreign criticism and internal dissent.
Key Principles:
- Non-Intervention: China emphasizes respecting other nations’ sovereignty, often criticizing Western interventionism.
- Peaceful Development: China positions itself as a peaceful actor on the world stage, promoting economic cooperation and multilateralism. However, this is sometimes seen as a way to advance its own interests.
- Shifting Stance: From Defensive to Expansive – China’s foreign policy has become more assertive in recent years, reflecting its growing global influence. This shift is observed in its actions in the South China Sea and its Belt and Road Initiative.
Geopolitical landscape
- Economy: China has a complex web of partnerships for economic gain and influence. Belt and Road Initiative boosts trade with many nations. Free Trade Agreements solidify China as a major trading partner.
- Security: Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) counters US-led alliances.
- Military: Strong ties with Pakistan. Growing partnership with Russia.
Considerations and Challenges:
- Interests over Alliances: China prioritises its own strategic interests over rigid alliances. Its partnerships are often transactional, based on mutual benefit.
- South China Sea Disputes: Territorial claims in the South China Sea strain relations with some Southeast Asian neighbours, despite economic cooperation.
- US Rivalry: The growing competition between China and the US creates a complex geopolitical landscape, where countries may have economic ties with China but security ties with the US.
- Result: China’s web of partnerships is extensive, focused on economic gain, regional influence, and countering US dominance. However, territorial disputes and its own strategic focus limit the formation of formal alliances.
Social Landscape
Population and age (population pyramid)
- a graph with age groups on the x-axis (horizontal) and population numbers on the y-axis (vertical). Two bars are drawn back-to-back, one for males and one for females. Ideally, you’d use different colors for each.
- Base: This is the widest part of the pyramid, representing the youngest age groups (0-14 years old). In China, due to the one-child policy, this base might be narrower than in countries with higher birth rates.
- Body: As age groups progress (15-64 years old), the pyramid narrows, reflecting a smaller working-age population compared to the young.
- Peak: The top of the pyramid represents the oldest age groups (65+ years old). Due to increasing life expectancy, this section might be wider in recent China pyramids compared to historical ones.
Language:
- Mandarin Reigns Supreme: Official language & most spoken worldwide (880 million!)
- Other Languages Exist:
- Cantonese (Hong Kong, Macau, Guangdong).
- Wu dialects (eastern China).
- Min dialects (southern China).
Ethnicities:
- Han Chinese: 91.6% of the population.
- Minority Groups: 55 recognised ethnic minorities: Zhuang, Uyghur, Hui, Yi, Tibetans, Mongols, Koreans, Miao
Religion:
- Folk Religions (80%) – Ancestor veneration, nature worship
- Buddhism (13-16%) – Mahayana, mostly Han & Tibetan
- Other (6.3%) – Confucianism, Taoism, Islam, Christianity (growing)
Interesting fact/ Business etiquette
- Ancient Inventions: China is credited with inventing gunpowder, paper, and the printing press, which have had a profound impact on world history.
- Speak indirectly (build relationships, not demands).
- Gift-giving (small, symbolic).
BRICS background
- China’s involvement with BRICS is a strategic move born out of its recent history and economic ambitions. After a turbulent 20th century that saw the collapse of the Qing Dynasty and the rise of the Communist Party, China emerged focused on internal development. By the late 20th century, however, China’s economic boom propelled it onto the world stage. Seeking greater influence and a partnership to challenge the established economic order dominated by Western nations, China joined the BRICS grouping in 2009.
- China, by far the largest member in terms of economic size, plays a crucial role in shaping the BRICS agenda. It leverages its economic clout to promote cooperation on issues like global governance reform, advocating for a greater say for developing nations in international institutions. Additionally, China actively pushes for increased trade and infrastructure development within the BRICS bloc, potentially creating a new economic landscape less reliant on traditional Western powers.
- Thus far, China has been a proactive member in BRICS highlighted through:
- Trade Facilitation: China has pushed for measures like simplifying customs procedures and promoting trade financing within BRICS countries to boost trade among members. New Development Bank (NDB): China played a key role in establishing the NDB, a BRICS development bank that provides loans for infrastructure projects in developing countries. China is the largest contributor to the NDB’s capital. Currency Swap Arrangements: China has established currency swap arrangements with other BRICS members. This allows them to use each other’s currencies for international transactions, reducing reliance on US dollars. Infrastructure Development: Alignment with Belt and Road Initiative (BRI): China’s massive BRI infrastructure development project overlaps with some BRICS members’ needs. This allows for potential collaboration on infrastructure projects in these countries. Global Governance: Reform of International Institutions: China, along with other BRICS members, has advocated for reforms in international institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to give developing countries a greater say. China has hosted the BRICS summit three times: 2011: The 3rd BRICS summit was held in China, 2017: China hosted the 9th BRICS summit, 2022: Most recently, China virtually hosted the 14th BRICS summit.
BRICS impact policies:
China’s role within BRICS is significant and it leverages the bloc to achieve its foreign policy goals in a few ways:
- Economic Cooperation and Trade:
- China pushes for increased trade and investment between BRICS members. This strengthens economic ties, expands China’s markets, and creates a strong combined economic voice.
- The BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) is a key example. China heavily contributed to its creation, providing much-needed financing for infrastructure projects in developing countries, often aligned with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
- Global Governance Reform:
- China advocates for reforming international institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to reflect the growing importance of emerging economies like BRICS members. This could give China more influence in the global economic order.
- Leadership and Image:
- China positions itself as a leader within BRICS, promoting itself as a champion for developing countries. This strengthens China’s image as a global power with a stake in the global south’s development.
BRICS economic impact:
- Expanded Market and Trade: BRICS membership has connected China with large, growing economies like India and Brazil. This creates a vast market for Chinese exports and opens doors for further trade diversification.
- Increased Investment: Collaboration on BRICS development projects like the New Development Bank (NDB) facilitates access to financing for Chinese infrastructure projects abroad, particularly those aligned with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
- Global Influence: BRICS provides China with a platform to champion the interests of developing economies and project itself as a global leader. This can enhance China’s bargaining power in international economic institutions.
Social Landscape
Population and age (population pyramid)
Language:
Ethnicities:
Religion:
Interesting fact/ Business etiquette
BRICS background
BRICS impact policies:
China’s role within BRICS is significant and it leverages the bloc to achieve its foreign policy goals in a few ways:
BRICS economic impact: