Country Name: People’s Republic of China
Country Flag:
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)
Beijing
Time China Standard Time (CST)
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).
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.
China exists as a unitary sovereign state, divide administratively into provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the central government, and special administrative regions.
Earthquake Tremors: China’s position along active tectonic plates means earthquakes are a frequent and significant threat, especially in mountainous and densely populated regions.
Landslide Peril: Steep terrains in western and southwestern China are highly prone to landslides, particularly during heavy rains or seismic activity.
Typhoon Threat: Long coastlines in the east are vulnerable to powerful typhoons, bringing heavy rains, flooding, and storm surges, with coastal cities often bearing the brunt.
Monsoon Floods: Seasonal monsoons frequently inundate southern China, where floods disrupt lives, infrastructure, and local economies.
Drought’s Grip: Northern China faces recurring droughts, severely impacting agriculture and water resources in arid regions.
Extreme Temperatures: Both scorching summers and harsh winters threaten health, agriculture, and infrastructure, especially in urban and underdeveloped areas.
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
Leadership and Party Hierarchy: The CPC’s leadership revolves around its highest-ranking body, the Politburo Standing Committee, followed by the Politburo and the Central Committee. At the top is the General Secretary, currently Xi Jinping, who also holds the roles of President of China and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, solidifying his authority across the state, party, and military sectors.
National People’s Congress (NPC): As the legislative branch, the NPC is the largest parliamentary body globally, but it largely functions as a formal ratifier of policies decided by the CPC leadership. Although the NPC theoretically holds significant legislative power, it rarely challenges CPC decisions.
Consultative Democracy: Officially termed a “socialist consultative democracy,” China’s system emphasises consultation over competition, with the CPC engaging with selected interest groups and think tanks. Mechanisms like the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) allow non-party experts and representatives limited input into policy discussions, though the ultimate decision-making rests with the CPC.
Centralised Local Governance: While provincial and local governments in China possess administrative power, they operate under the close supervision of CPC-appointed leaders, who implement the party’s directives. This structure ensures national consistency in policy application, although recent decentralisation has allowed some local-level policy experimentation.
President (head of state): XI Jinping (since 14 March 2013).
Vice President: Han Zheng (10 March 2023 – current)
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: the 14th NPC convened on 5 March 2023; the 15th NPC will convene in March 2028
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.
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.
Size in world: 2nd
GDP: $19.5 trillion USD
GDP per capita: $13 800 USD
Currency: Renminbi (RMB), Yuan (¥) – Unit
Dominant Economic Sector: Services
Market type: Mixed Economy
Social Landscape
Population: 1.41 billion
Position: Class distribution
Upper : 7.2%
Middle: 34.5%
Lower : 58.3%
Gini Coefficient:
46 (where 0 = perfect inequality and 100 = perfect equality)
Language
Official Language: Mandarin
Other Languages: Sino-Tibetan, Cantonese,Altaic, Tai-Kadai, Austroastic, Turkic
Religion
Dominant Religion: Buddhism
Other Religion: Taoism, Confuciansim, Islam, Christianity