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Revision as of 02:58, 12 August 2007 view sourceIlya1166 (talk | contribs)2,100 edits yes they're true but pop.+growing economy are the only 2 principal reasons why china is discussed as emerging superpower. see - Misplaced Pages:No original research, specifically WP:SYNTH← Previous edit Revision as of 16:47, 12 August 2007 view source 212.7.30.92 (talk)No edit summaryNext edit →
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Note 1: Before you edit this article to remove "中華人民共和國" from this article, please realize that traditional Chinese characters are official in the "Special Administrative Regions" of HONG KONG and MACAU, which are part of the PRC. Please also realize that the simplified and traditional characters indications in brackets are provided to avoid confusion and to provide an understanding of the difference between TC and SC characters.

Note 2: Arguments that the ROC does not include simplified Chinese characters, in their official writing system, are not relevant to this article.

Note 3: Arguments that other nations do not have their languages labeled in the infobox are not relevant as the scripts on the PRC's infobox are not individual languages but all part of one language, Chinese.
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{{refimprove}}
{{for|the Chinese civilization|China}}
{{redirect|PRC}}
{{dablink|Not to be confused with the {{flagicon|ROC}} ''']'''.}}
{{Infobox Country or territory
|native_name = 中华人民共和国 <br><small><small><small>(])</small></small></small><br>中華人民共和國<br><small><small><small>(])</small></small></small><br/>''Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó''
|conventional_long_name = People's Republic of China
|common_name = People's Republic of China
|image_flag = Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg
|image_coat = National Emblem of the People's Republic of China.png
|symbol_type = National Emblem
|national_motto =
|image_map = LocationPRChina.png
|national_anthem = '']''
|official_languages = ]<sup>1</sup> <br>(Pǔtōnghuà, also known as Mandarin)
|capital = ]
|latd=39 |latm=55 |latNS=N |longd=116 |longm=23 |longEW=E
|largest_city = ]
|demonym = Chinese
|government_type = ]<sup>2</sup>
|leader_title1 = ]
|leader_name1 = ]
|leader_title2 = ]
|leader_name2 = ]
|sovereignty_type = ]
|established_event1 = ] declared
|established_date1 = <br/>] ]
|area = 9,598,086 or 9,640,821<sup>*4</sup>
|areami² = 3,704,427<sup>3</sup> <!--Do not remove per ]-->
|area_rank = 3rd or 4th
|area_magnitude = 1 E12
|percent_water = 2.8<sup>3</sup>
|population_estimate = 1,321,851,888<sup>3</sup> <!--UN WPP-->
|population_estimate_year = 2007
|population_estimate_rank = 1st
|population_census = 1,242,612,226
|population_census_year = 2000
|population_density = 140
|population_densitymi² = 363<sup>3</sup> <!--Do not remove per ]-->
|population_density_rank = 72nd<sup>3</sup>
|GDP_nominal = $2.68 trillion
|GDP_nominal_rank = 4th
|GDP_nominal_year = 2006
|GDP_nominal_per_capita = $2,040
|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 108th
|GDP_PPP_year = 2006
|GDP_PPP = $10 trillion <!--CIA World Factbook 2007, Data are for the year 2006-->
|GDP_PPP_rank = 2nd
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $7,700
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 84th
|Gini = 44.7
|Gini_year = 2001
|Gini_category = <font color="#ffcc00">medium</font>
|HDI_year = 2004
|HDI = {{increase}} 0.768
|HDI_rank = 81st
|HDI_category = <font color="#ffcc00">medium</font>
|Gini = 44
|Gini_year = 2002
|Gini_category = <font color="#ffcc00">medium</font>
|currency = ]&nbsp;(RMB¥)<sup>3</sup>
|currency_code = CNY
|time_zone =
|utc_offset = +8
|time_zone_DST = not observed
|utc_offset_DST = +8
|cctld = ]<sup>3</sup>
|calling_code = 86<sup>3</sup>
|footnote1 = , ChinaToday. Retrieved ] ]. In addition to ] (Mandarin), ] is co-official in both ] and ]. ] is co-official in ] (SAR); correspondingly, ] in ] (SAR). Similarly, several minority languages are also co-official with Chinese (Mandarin) in minority areas, viz. ] in ], ] in ], ] in the classical alphabet in ], ] in ], and ] in ], ].
|footnote2 = , Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved on 21-02-2007.
|footnote3 = Information for mainland China only. The ] of the PRC: ], ] are excluded. In addition, the island territories under the control of the ], which includes the islands of (], ], and ]) are also excluded.
|footnote4 = 9,598,086km² Excludes all disputed territories.<br> 9,640,821km² Includes PRC-administered area (] and ], both territories claimed by ]), Taiwan is not included.
}}
The '''People's Republic of China''' ('''PRC'''; {{zh-stp|s={{linktext|中|华|人|民|共|和|国}}|t={{linktext|中|華|人|民|共|和|國}}|p=] Rénmín Gònghéguó}} {{Audio|Zh-Zhonghua renmin gongheguo.ogg|listen}}), commonly known as '''China''', is the largest ] in ]. With over 1.32 ] people, it has the ] of any country in the world and is the world's ] in terms of total area. <ref>Area rank is disputed with the United States and is either ranked third or fourth. See ] for more information.</ref> Its ] is ].

The ] (CPC) has led the PRC under a ] since the state's establishment in ]. The PRC is involved in a long-running dispute over the ]. The CPC's rival during ], the ] (KMT), retreated to ] and ] after ], and traditionally has claimed legitimacy over ] and ] while it was the ruling power of the ]. The PRC regards the ] claims as illegitimate. The term "]" is usually used to denote the areas under PRC rule, but sometimes excludes its two ]s: ] and ].

Due to its vast ] and its rapidly growing ], the PRC is often considered by commentators as an ]. It is the world's ] and ] at ], and ] as a permanent member of the ] ] and ].<ref></ref><ref> </ref><ref></ref><ref></ref> Market-based ] since 1978 have helped lift 400 million people out of poverty, bringing the poverty rate down from 53% of population in 1981 to 8% by 2001.<ref> (World Bank). Retrieved ] ].</ref> However, the PRC is now faced with a number of other economic problems, including a rapidly aging population and an increasing rural-urban ].

China plays a major role in ]. The country is the world's largest consumer of ] and ], using, respectively, a third and over a half of the world's supply of each,<ref> China’s Building Boom. Retrieved ] ],</ref> and it is also the second largest importer of ]. Globally it is the third largest ] in the world,<ref> An Energy Summary of China. Retrieved ] ].</ref> and the second largest ]<ref></ref> counting all products.

==History==
{{main|History of China|History of the People's Republic of China}}
{{for|China's history before 1949|History of China}}
] proclaiming the establishment of the People's Republic in 1949.]]

The ] ended in 1949 with the Communist Party of China in control of the mainland, and the ] (KMT) retreating to ] and some outlying islands of ]. On ], ] ] proclaimed the People's Republic of China, declaring "the Chinese people have stood up"<ref>. UCLA Center for East Asian Studies. Retrieved ] ].</ref> '''Red China''' was a ] (generally within the ]/]) used from the time of Communist ascendance until the mid-late ] with the ] between China and the West.<ref> ]. . ] ]. Accessed ] ].</ref>

Following a series of dramatic economic failures (coinciding with the ]), Mao stepped down from his position as chairman in 1959, with ] as successor. Mao still had much influence over the Party, but was removed from day-to-day management of economic affairs, which came under the control of Liu Shaoqi and ].

In 1966, Mao and his allies launched the ], which would last until Mao's death a decade later. The Cultural Revolution, motivated by power struggles within the Party and a fear of the ], led to a major upheaval in Chinese society. In 1972, at the peak of the ], Mao and ] met ] in Beijing to establish relations with the ]. In the same year, the PRC was admitted to the ], replacing the ] for ]'s membership of the ], and permanent membership of the ].

After Mao's death in 1976 and the arrest of the ], blamed for the excesses of the Cultural Revolution, Deng Xiaoping quickly wrestled power from Mao's anointed successor ]. Although Deng never became the head of the Party or State himself, his influence within the Party led the country to economic reforms of significant magnitude. The Communist Party subsequently loosened governmental control over citizens' personal lives and the ]s were disbanded with many peasants receiving multiple land leases, which greatly increased incentives and agricultural production. This turn of events marked China's transition from a planned economy to a ] with an increasingly open market environment, a system termed by many "]". The PRC adopted its current ] on ], ].

].]]

In 1989, the death of pro-reform official, ], helped to spark the ], during which students and others campaigned for several months for more ] rights and ]. However, they were eventually put down on ] when ] troops and vehicles entered and forcibly cleared the square by opening fire on protesters, resulting in numerous casualties. This event was widely reported and ], which brought worldwide condemnation and sanctions against the government.

].]]

President ] and Premier ], both former mayors of ], led post-Tiananmen China in the 1990s. Under Jiang Zemin's ten years of administration, China's economic performance pulled an estimated 150 million peasants out of poverty and sustained an average annual ] ] of 11.2%. The country formally joined the ] in 2001.<ref> (] ]). China Daily.</ref><ref> (] ]). People's Daily Online.</ref>

Although China needs economic growth to spur its development, the government has begun to worry that rapid economic growth has negatively impacted the country's resources and environment. Another concern is that certain sectors of society are not sufficiently benefiting from China's economic development. As a result, under current President ] and Premier ], the PRC have initiated policies to address these issues of equitable distribution of resources, but the outcome remains to be seen.<ref>. BBC. Accessed ]
].</ref> For much of China's population, ] have seen extremely large improvements, and freedom continues to expand, but political controls remain tight.

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

], on the west side of ], is China's congress building. There are 2,979 representatives in the annual ].]]

While the PRC is regarded as a ] by many ], simple characterizations of China's political ] since the 1980s are no longer possible.<ref>Boum, Aomar (1999). . Retrieved ] ].</ref> The PRC government has been variously described as ], ], and ], with heavy restrictions remaining in many areas, most notably in ] and in ], freedom of assembly, freedom of reproductive rights, and freedom of religion. However, compared to its ] policies until the mid-1970s, the liberalization of the PRC is such that the current administrative climate is much less restrictive than before, though the PRC is still far from the full-fledged ] as practised in ] and most of ].

The country is ruled under the ]. Its incumbent ] is President ] and ] is ] with people's congress and ].

], current ].]]

The country is run by the ] (CPC), who is guaranteed power by the Constitution.<ref>http://english.people.com.cn/constitution/constitution.html </ref> There are other political parties in the PRC, referred to in China as "democratic parties", which participate in the ] and the ], though they serve mainly to endorse CPC policies.{{Fact|date=July 2007}} There have been some moves toward political liberalisation, 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> and that legislatures have shown some assertiveness from time to time. However, the Party retains effective control over governmental appointments, as in the absence of meaningful opposition, the CPC wins by default in most of the time.<ref>. ] ]. USDA Economic Research Service. ''URL accessed ] ].''</ref> The CPC has attempted to reduce dissent by improving the economy and allowing public expression of personal grievances so long as they are not organized.{{Fact|date=July 2007}} Current political concerns in China include lessening the growing gap between rich and poor and fighting corruption within the government leadership.<ref>. Retrieved ] ].</ref> The support level that the Communist Party of China has among the Chinese population in general is unclear since there are no consistently contested national elections.<ref>. ] ]. HKU POP. ''URL accessed ] ].''</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}}

] with ]. ] are closely monitored by international observers.{{fact}}]]

The People's Republic of China maintains diplomatic relations with most major countries in the world. In 1971, the PRC replaced the ] as the sole representative of ] in the ] and as one of the five permanent members of the ].<ref>Eddy Chang (] ]). 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 ].

Under the ], the PRC has made it a precondition to establishing diplomatic relations that the other country acknowledges its claim to ] and sever official ties with the ] (ROC) government. The government opposes publicized foreign travels by former and present Taiwanese officials promoting ], such as ] and ], and other politically controversial figures, such as ], the current ] of ], in an official context.

China has been playing an increasing role in calling for ]s and security pacts amongst its Asia-Pacific neighbors. In 2004, China proposed an entirely new ] (EAS) framework as a forum for regional security issues that pointedly excluded the United States.<ref>Dillon, Dana and John Tkacik Jr, , ''Policy Review'', December 2005 and January 2006, Issue No. 134. Accessed ] ].</ref> The EAS, which includes ], ], ] and ], held its inaugural summit in 2005. China is also a founding member of the ] (SCO), with ] and the ]n republics.

Much of the current foreign policy is based on the concept of ]. Conflicts with foreign countries have occurred at times in its recent history, particularly with the ]; e.g., the ] in ] during the ] in May 1999 and the ] in April 2001. Its foreign relations with many Western nations suffered for a time following the Tiananmen Square Incident in 1989, though they have since recovered. The relationship between ] has been strained at times by Japan's refusal to acknowledge its ] past to the satisfaction of the PRC, e.g. ] comments made by prominent Japanese officials and in some ]. Another point of conflict between the two countries is the frequent visits by Japanese government officials to the ]. However, Sino-Japanese relations have warmed considerably since ] became the new Japanese Prime Minister in September 2006. A joint historical study to be completed by 2008 of WWII atrocities is currently being conducted by China and Japan.

Equally bordering the most countries in the world alongside ], the PRC was in a number of ]. China's territorial disputes have led to localized wars in the last 50 years, including the ] in 1962, the ] in 1969 and the ] in 1979. In 2001, the PRC and ] signed the ],<ref> (] ]). Retrieved ] ].</ref> which paved the way in 2004 for Russia to transfer ] as well as one-half of ] to China, ending a long-standing ] border dispute. Other territorial disputes include islands in the ] and ]s, and undefined or disputed borders with ], ] and ].

China's relationship with its two important neighbors, India and Japan have sometimes been marred by China's subtle, if not overt opposition to their bid to become permanent members of the ] ].{{Fact|date=July 2007}}

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 ]n nations for trade and bilateral co-operations.<ref>] ].</ref>
{{seealso|China and the United Nations}}

===Population policy===
{{main|One-child policy}}
With a population of over 1.3 billion, the PRC is very concerned about its ] and has attempted with mixed results to implement a strict ] policy. The government's goal is ], 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 current projections estimate a population of anywhere ranging from 1.4 billion to 1.6 billion by 2025.

The policy is resisted, particularly in rural areas, because of the need for ] labour and a traditional preference for boys. Families who breach the policy often lie during the ].{{Fact|date=July 2007}} Official government policy opposes forced ] or ], 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.{{Fact|date=July 2007}} Estimates by Chinese demographers of the ] vary from 1.5 to 2.0. The government is particularly concerned with the large imbalance in the ] at birth, apparently the result of a combination of traditional preference for boys, family planning pressure, and the wide availability of ], which led to its ban for the purpose of preventing ].

===Human rights===
{{main|Human rights in the People's Republic of China}}
The ] states that the "fundamental rights" of citizens include ], ], the ], ], ], and ]. However, ] of political speech and information is openly and routinely used to protect what the government considers national security interests.<ref name=right> (March 1995). Retrieved ] ].</ref> In particular, press control is notoriously tight: ] considers the PRC one of the least free countries in the world for the press.<ref>http://www.rsf.org/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=554</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 ]. 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>. Accessed ] ]</ref><ref>, Accessed ] ]</ref> China's leaders see expressions of public dissatisfaction as a catalyst for positive change.

At times, the PRC is faced with criticism from foreign governments and ]s concerning allegations of gross human rights violations. These criticisms allege that there existed a widespread practice of lengthy detentions without trial, forced confessions, torture, mistreatment of prisoners, as well as allegations of restrictions on freedoms of ], ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name=right> (March 1995).</ref> Furthermore, China leads the world in ], accounting for roughly 90% of total ] executions in 2004.<ref>http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0405-07.htm ] ]. Accessed ] ]. ''The Independent/UK'' article, republished.</ref> These issues remain one of the driving forces behind independence movements in ] and ]. The PRC government responds to these criticisms by arguing that the notion of human rights should factor in standards of living. It views the rise in China's standard of living as an indicator of improvement in the human rights issue.<ref>. ] ]. Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States. Accessed ] ].</ref>

In ]' Annual World Press Freedom Index of 2005,<ref>http://www.rsf.org/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=554</ref> the PRC ranked 159 out of 167 places. PRC journalist ] in her 2004 book Media Control in China<ref> 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 ] and other media in China.

==Political divisions==
{{main|Political divisions of China}}
The People's Republic of China has administrative control over twenty-two provinces (省) and considers ] (台湾) to be its twenty-third province.<ref>Gwillim Law (] ]). . Retrieved ] ].</ref> Apart from provinces, there are five ] (自治区), each with a designated minority group; four ] (直辖市); and two ]s (特别行政区) that enjoy considerable autonomy. The twenty-two provinces, five autonomous regions and four municipalities can be collectively referred to as "]", a term which usually excludes Hong Kong and Macau. The following are a list of administrative divisions of areas under the control of the People's Republic of China.

{{PRC provinces imagemap}}

{{columns |width=290px |gap=5px
|col1 =
'''Provinces''' （省）
*] (安徽)
*] (福建)
*] (甘肃)
*] (广东)
*] (贵州)
*] (海南)
*] (河北)
*] (黑龙江)
*] (河南)
*] (湖北)
*] (湖南)
*] (江苏)
*] (江西)
*] (吉林)
*] (辽宁)
*] (青海)
|col2 =
*] (陕西)
*] (山东)
*] (山西)
*] (四川)
*] (台湾, claimed but not administered by the PRC, ] is currently under the sovereignty of the {{flagicon|Taiwan}} ].)
*] (云南)
*] (浙江)

'''Autonomous regions''' （自治区）
*] (广西壮族自治区)
*] (内蒙古自治区)
*] (宁夏回族自治区)
*] (新疆维吾尔自治区)
*] (西藏自治区)
|col3 =
'''Municipalities''' （直辖市）
*] (北京市)
*] (重庆市)
*] (上海市)
*] (天津市)

'''Special Administrative Regions''' （特别行政区）
*{{HKG}} (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Xiānggǎng)) (香港特別行政區)
*{{MAC}} (Macau Special Administrative Region (Àomén)) (澳門特別行政區)

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

==Geography and climate==
<!--May contain many border inaccuracies: ]-->
{{main|Geography of China}}

], ], ].]]
].]]
] at ].]]

China is the second largest ] in ] by ] after Russia, and is considered the ]<ref> (] ]). Foreign & Commonwealth Office</ref> in the world by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency in respect to land-and-sea area. The uncertainty over size is due to both the validity of claims by the PRC on territories such as ] and ] (both territories also claimed by India), and a recent change in the method used by the ] to calculate its surface area.<ref> (] ]). CIA World Factbook.</ref> It borders 14 nations (counted clockwise from south): ], ], ] (Burma), ], ], ], ],<ref>China's border with Pakistan falls in the disputed ] province. The area under Pakistani-administration is claimed by India.</ref> ], ], ], ], ], ] and ].

The territory of the PRC contains a large variety of landscapes. In the east, along the shores of the ] and the ], there are extensive and densely populated ], while on the edges of the Inner Mongolian plateau in the north, grasslands can be seen. Southern China is dominated by hill country and low ]s. In the central-east are the ] of China's two major rivers, the ] and ] (Chang Jiang). Other major rivers include the ], ], ] and ].

To the west, major mountain ranges, notably the ]s, with China's highest point at the eastern half of ], and high ]s feature among the more arid landscapes such as the ] and the ].

A major issue is the continued expansion of deserts, particularly the ].<ref>. BBC news. Accessed ] ].</ref> Although barrier tree lines planted since the 1970s have reduced the frequency of ]s, prolonged ] and poor agricultural practices result in ]s plaguing northern China each spring, which then spread to other parts of East Asia, including ] and ]. Water, ], and pollution control have become important issues in China's relations with other countries.

China has some relevant environmental regulations: the 1979 Environmental Protection Law, which was largely modelled on U.S. legislation. But the environment continues to deteriorate.<ref>{{cite book |author=Ma Xiaoying |coauthors=Leonard Ortalano |title=Environmental Regulation in China |origyear=2000 |origmonth=May |year=2002 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishers}}</ref> While the regulations are fairly stringent, the are frequently disregarded by local communities while seeking economic development. Twelve years after the law, only one Chinese city was making an effort to clean up its water discharges.<ref>Sinkule, Barbara J., ''Implementing Environmental Policy in China'', Praeger Publishers, 1995, ISBN 0-275-94980-X</ref> This indicates that China is about twenty years behind the U.S. schedule of environmental regulation.

] has increased as an issue along with industrial production. The Chinese government has chosen a discharge standard measuring the concentration of a pollutant rather than the total pollutant load (as is done in the U.S. and many Western countries). As a result many industrial dischargers in China simply dilute the effluent with river water taken from the same source as the receiving waters. Consequently the outcome has been to create considerable water pollution in many of the country's rivers.

With regard to carbon emissions, China was exempted from the ]. Since the treaty was signed, China has become one of the world's top emitters of carbon gases and possibly a major contributor to ].

Part of the price China is paying for increased prosperity is damage to the environment. Leading Chinese environmental campaigner ] has warned that ] is one of the most serious threats facing China. According to Ma the drinking water of 300 million peasants is unsafe and water quality in one fifth of the cities is not up to standard. This makes the crisis of water shortages more pressing, with 400 out of 600 cities short of water.<ref name="water">{{cite web |url=http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/392-Tackling-China-s-water-crisis-online |title=Tackling China's Water Crisis Online |accessdate = 2007-02-18 |publisher=www.chinadialogue.net |year=2006 |author=Ma, Jun, Li, Naomi |format=Web}}</ref>

{{see also|Environment of China|Water resources of China|State Environmental Protection Administration}}

==Military==
{{main|Military of the People's Republic of China|People's Liberation Army|Military budget of the People's Republic of China}}

] recruit training. The PLA has been rapidly modernizing its military force.]]

With 2.25 million active troops, the ] (PLA) is currently the largest military in the world.<ref> (2006). Retrieved ] ].</ref> The PLA consists of an ], ], ], and strategic ] force. The official announced ] of the PLA for 2007 was $45 billion. However, the ] claims China does not report its real military spending. The ] 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 pg 25</ref>

The PRC, despite possession of ]s and delivery systems, is widely seen by military researchers both within and outside of China as having only limited ] capability; this is, among other things, due to the limited effectiveness of its navy. It is considered a major ] and possibly an ].<ref>Nolt, James H. . Asia Times. Retrieved ] ].</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 ]s, and has also produced its own modern fighters, specifically the Chinese ]s and the ]s.<ref>. Accessed ] ]</ref> It has also acquired and improved upon the Russian ] ] systems, which are considered to be among the best aircraft-intercepting systems in the world,<ref> (2006). Accessed ] ].</ref> albeit Russia has since produced the new generation ]. The PRC's armoured and rapid-reaction forces have been updated with enhanced electronics and targeting capabilities. In recent years, much attention has been focused on building a ] with ] capability.<ref> (2006). Accessed ] ]</ref>

==Economy==
{{main|Economy of the People's Republic of China|Economy of Hong Kong}}

] initiated China's market-oriented reforms.]]

Beginning in late 1978, the Chinese leadership has been ] from a ]-style centrally planned economy to a more ]-oriented economy that is still within a rigid political framework under Party control. The reforms replaced ] of ] with privatization of farmlands, increased the responsibility of local authorities and industry managers, allowed a wide variety of small-scale enterprises to flourish, and promoted foreign investment. Price controls were also relaxed. These changes resulted in mainland China's shift from a ] to a ].

], from 1952 to 2005.]]
]. China's ] index surged 130 percent in 2006.]]
]. Over 800 million Chinese still depend on the ] sector for their livelihood.]]

China became a member of the ] in 2001.<ref>, Legal Issues of Economic Integration, Kluwer Law International, Volume 33, Number 3, pp. 263–304, 2006. by </ref> China’s accession into the World Trade Organization (WTO) was a goal achieved after nearly fifteen years of exhausting negotiations carrying many legal, political and social implications for all parties. China was finally able to convince WTO members that without China, the WTO is only partially a worldwide trade organization. The road to the signature of the final agreement of accession was long, but these difficulties pale in comparison to the problems that have not yet been tackled in terms of achieving real implementation of its provisions throughout the territory of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). China’s accession surely presents the world trading system with opportunities, but also poses the challenge of integrating a market with strong structural, behavioural and cultural constraints.<ref></ref>

The government emphasizes personal income and consumption by introducing new management systems to help increase productivity. The government also focuses on foreign trade as a major vehicle for economic growth, which led to 5 ]s (SEZ: ], ], ], ], ]) where investment laws are relaxed so as to attract foreign capital. Since the 1990s, SEZs and similar concepts have been expanded to major Chinese cities, including Shanghai and Beijing. The result has been a 6-fold increase of ] since 1978. Chinese economic development is among the fastest in the world, and has been growing at an average annual GDP rate of 9.4% for the past 25 years.<ref>Malik, Khalid (] ]). . </ref> At the end of 2005, the PRC became the fourth largest economy in the world by exchange rate, and the second largest in the world after the ] by ] at US$8,158 trillion.<ref></ref> But with its large population this still gives an average GDP per person of only an estimated US$8,000 (2006), about 1/5th that of the United States.

Mainland China has a reputation as being a low-cost manufacturer, which caused notable disputes in global markets. This is largely because Chinese corporations can produce many products far more cheaply than other parts of Asia or Latin America, and because expensive products produced in ] like the United States are in large part uncompetitive compared to European or Asian goods. Another factor is the unfavorable ] between the ] and the ] to which it was ].

On ] ] the ] announced that it would move to a ], allowing its currency to move against the ] by 0.5% (effective 18-May-2007, which was earlier 0.3%) a day, while 3% a day against other currencies.<ref> (] ]). Retrieved ] ].</ref> Many high-tech American companies have difficulty exporting to China due to US federal government restrictions, which exacerbated the trade gap between the PRC and the US, widespread ] and illegal copying of ] (a major US export), and perceived low quality of US goods. On the other hand, China runs a trade deficit with Taiwan and South Korea, importing more from those nations than exports. China runs a large but diminishing trade surplus with Japan<ref name="Jtrade">{{cite web |url=http://www.customs.go.jp/toukei/info/index_e.htm |title=Trade Statistics of Japan |accessdate=2007-02-27 |publisher=Japan Ministry of Finance |year=2007 |format=Web}}</ref> (slight deficit if Hong Kong is included).<ref>.</ref><ref>.</ref>
<!-- too specific, move to PRC economy article: Preferential tax incentives are also given as a direct fiscal incentive to manufacture in China, whether for export or for domestic sales. China is attempting to harmonize the system of taxes and duties it imposes on enterprises, domestic and foreign alike. As a result, preferential tax and duty policies that benefit exporters in special economic zones and coastal cities have been targeted for revision. -->

There has been a significant rise in the Chinese standard of living in recent years. Today, a rapidly declining 10 percent of the Chinese population is below the poverty line. 90.9% of the population is literate,<ref>CIA - The World Fact Book, . Central Intelligence Agency</ref> compared to 20% in 1950.<ref>Plafker, Ted, International Herald Tribune</ref> The life expectancy in China is the third highest in East Asia, after Japan and South Korea. There is a large wealth disparity between the coastal regions and the remainder of the country. To counter this potentially destabilizing problem, the government has initiated the ] strategy (2000), the ] initiative (2003), and the ] policy (2004), which are all aimed at helping the ] of China to catch up.

China is currently undergoing major reforms in its financial sector, which has been plagued by nonperforming loans made in the 1980s and early 1990s to inefficient ]. The government has spent five years and more than US$400 billion cleaning bad loans off the books of the big four state-owned banks, helping prepare them to become shareholder corporations.<ref> David Barboza, ''International Herald Tribune''. Accessed: ] ].</ref> By the end of 2006, China had restructured three of its four largest banks and listed them publicly. China's largest bank, the ] (ICBC) in October 2006 raised US$21.6 billion in the world's largest ] (IPO) in history. ICBC is now the world's second largest bank in market value, after only ].<ref> Geoff Dyer, ''The Financial Times'', accessed ] ].</ref> These highly successful IPOs have helped ease the government's burden and spur further structural reforms in China's nascent banking industry.<ref> David Barboza, ''International Herald Tribune''. Accessed: ] ].</ref>

==Science and technology==
{{main|Science and technology in the People's Republic of China|List of Chinese inventions}}

] in ]. The Dabancheng project is Asia's largest wind power plant.]]

After the ], China started to develop its own indigenous ] and delivery systems, successfully detonating its first surface ] in 1964 at ]. A natural outgrowth of this was a satellite launching program, which culminated in 1970 with the launching of ], the first Chinese satellite. This made the PRC the fifth nation to independently launch a satellite. In 1992, the ] manned spaceflight program was authorized.<ref> (2003). Ministry of Culture. Retrieved ] ].</ref> After four tests, '']'' was launched on ], ], using a ] and carrying Chinese astronaut ], making the PRC the third country to put a human being into ] through its own endeavors.<ref>Wade, Mark. (] ]). Retrieved ] ].</ref> With the successful completion of the second manned mission, '']'' in October 2005, the country plans to build a ] in the near future and achieve a lunar landing in the next decade.<ref>Wade, Mark. (] ]). Retrieved ] ].</ref>

China has the world's second largest ] budget, and is expected to invest over $136 billion this year after growing more than 20% in the past year.<ref> ''Financial Times''. Accessed ] ].</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. ] and ], which some in the ] see as controversial, face minimal regulation in China. China has an estimated 926,000 researchers, second in number only to the 1.3 million in the United States.<ref> ''BusinessWeek''. Retrieved ] ].</ref>

China is also actively developing its ], ] and ] industries, including ] such as hydro, wind and solar power.<ref> Bruce Einhorn, ''Business Week'', ] ], accessed: ] ].</ref> In an effort to reduce pollution from coal-burning power plants, China has been pioneering the deployment of ], which run cooler and safer, and have potential applications for the ].<ref>Robert J. Saiget. ''DAGA''. ] ]. Accessed ] ]. </ref>

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

]. There are currently 45,000&nbsp;km (28,000&nbsp;mi) of expressways in China. This is the second-longest total in the world, and half that of the United States.]]

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 ] known as the ] (NTHS). The total length of expressway is 45,000&nbsp;km at the end of 2006, second only to the United States.

Private car ownership is increasing at an annual rate of 15%, though it is still uncommon due to government policies that make car ownership expensive, such as taxes and toll roads.<ref> (] ]). Earlywarning.</ref>

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

Cities such as ] and ] are building ] or ] systems. ] has one of the most developed transport systems in the world.
Shanghai already has a ] system connecting downtown Shanghai to ]
{{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}}

]. Chinese society has been rapidly modernizing in the last two decades, spawning the largest ] within a generation in human history.]]
]]]
]]]
]]]

] 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>. ] ]. ''URL accessed ] ].''</ref> The PRC officially recognizes 56 distinct ethnic groups, the largest of which are the ], who constitute about 91.9% of the total population.<ref> (] ]). Retrieved ] ].</ref> Large ethnic minorities include the ] (16 million), ] (10 million), ] (9 million), ] (8 million), ] (7 million), ] (7 million), ] (5.75 million), ]s (5 million), ]s (5 million), ] (3 million), and ]s (2 million).<ref>Stein, Justin J (Spring 2003). . Retrieved ] ].</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. , Chinanews.cn (中国新闻网), ] ]. Accessed ] ].</ref> 80 to 120 million ] work part-time in the major cities and return home to the countryside periodically with their earnings.<ref>, CBC Radio One, December 2004. Accessed: ] ]</ref>

Today, the People's Republic of China has dozens of major cities with one million or more long-term residents, including the three ] of ], ], and ].
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'', ] ].</ref> the figures below do not include the floating population, only long-term residents.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right; margin-right:60px;"
!rowspan="2"| Rank
!rowspan="2" align="center"| City urban area
!rowspan="2" align="center"| Type/location
!rowspan="2"| Population<br/><small>(2001 est)<ref>, compiled by Thomas Brinkhoff, data from official PRC estimates for 2001. Retrieved: ] ].</ref><br/>millions</small>
!rowspan="2"| Density<br/><small>(2001 est)<ref>, data from PRC estimates for 2001. Retrieved ] ].</ref></small><br/><small>per&nbsp;km²</small><br/>
!colspan="2" rowspan="1"| Municipality limits<br/><small>(2000 census)<ref>''Tabulation on the 2000 population census of the People's Republic of China'', compiled by the Population Census Office under the PRC State Council & Department of Population, Social, Science and Technology Statistics, Beijing: China National Bureau of Statistics Press, 2002. All data in column obtained from this reference except for Hong Kong, which uses the 2005 estimate from United Nations DESA.</ref></small>
!rowspan=";;2"| Region
|-
!rowspan="1"| <small>millions</small>
!rowspan="1"| <small>density (/km²)</small>
|-
|align="center"| 1 ||align="left"| ] ||align="left"| <small>municipality</small>
| '''9.838''' || 34,700 || 16.74 || 2,640
|align="center"| ]
|-
|align="center"| 2 ||align="left"| ] ||align="left"| <small>municipality</small>
| '''7.441''' || 29,800 || 13.82 || 822
|align="center"| ]
|-
|align="center"| 3 ||align="left"| ] ||align="left"| <small>SAR</small>
| '''6.112''' || 76,200 || 7.01 || 6,294
|align="center"| ]
|-
|align="center"| 4 ||align="left"| ] ||align="left"| <small>municipality</small>
| '''5.095''' || 10,500 || 10.01 || 803
|align="center"| ]
|-
|align="center"| 5 ||align="left"| ] ||align="left"| <small>]</small>
| '''4.489''' || 12,950 || 8.31 || 947
|align="center"| ]
|-
|align="center"| 6 ||align="left"| ] ||align="left"| <small>]</small>
| '''4.155''' || 11,600 || 10.15 || 1,337
|align="center"| ]
|-
|align="center"| 7 ||align="left"| ] ||align="left"| <small>]</small>
| '''3.981''' || 9,250 || 7.20 || 557
|align="center"| ]
|-
|align="center"| 8 ||align="left"| ] ||align="left"| <small>municipality</small>
| '''3.934''' || 23,500 || 30.90 || 378
|align="center"| ]
|-
|align="center"| 9 ||align="left"| ] ||align="left"| <small>]</small>
| '''2.822''' || 13,250 || 6.40 || 970
|align="center"| ]
|-
|align="center"| 10 ||align="left"| ] ||align="left"| <small>]</small>
| '''2.672''' || 11,350 || 9.35 || 174
|align="center"| ]
|-
|}
{{seealso|List of cities in the People's Republic of China by population}}

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

].]]

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> (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> (] ]). 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> (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></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) extra funding will be allocated from the central government in the next 5 years to improve the compulsory education in rural areas.<ref> (2007). Retrieved ] ].</ref>

The quality of ] varies considerably across the country. The consistently top-ranked universities in mainland China include ] and ] in Beijing, ] and ] in ], ] in ], the ] in ], ] and ] in ],and ] in ].<ref> (] ]). China Daily. Retrieved ] ].</ref><ref> (2003). Retrieved ] ].</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>. ] ]. BBC News. ''Accessed ] ]''.</ref>

==Public health==
{{main|Public health in mainland China}}
The ], together with its counterparts in the provincial health bureaus, oversees the health needs of the Chinese population.<ref>. 2003. China Aids Survey. Accessed ] ].</ref> An emphasis on ] and ] characterized health policy since the early 1950s. At that time, the ] started the ], which was aimed at improving ] and ], as well as attacking several ]. 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 due to 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, the Chinese public health system ranked 144 of the 191 UN member states ranked.

The country's ] jumped from about 32 years in 1950, from 41 years to almost 73 years in 2006,<ref>. ] ]. University of Chicago's East Asia Workshop. ''URL accessed ] ].''</ref> and ] went down from 300 per thousand in the 1950s to about 23 per thousand in 2006.<ref name=pop>. ] ]. ''URL accessed ] ].''</ref><ref>. ] ]. CHINA.ORG.CN. ''URL accessed ] ].''</ref> ] as of 2002 stood at 12 percent of the population according to ] ] 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>
<!--Recent health insurance initiatives like the Ningxia Cooperative Plan should be mentioned here-->

Despite significant improvements in health and the introduction of western style medical facilities, the PRC currently has several emerging ] problems, which include respiratory problems as a result of ]<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ft.com/cms/s/8f40e248-28c7-11dc-af78-000b5df10621.html|title= 750,000 a year killed by Chinese pollution|accessdate=2007-07-22 |publisher= '']''|date= 2007-07-02|author= McGregor, Richard}}</ref> and millions of ],<ref>. ] ]. Honolulu Community College. Accessed ] ].</ref> a possible future ], and an increase in ] among urban youths.<ref>). 1999. Bruce Kennedy. CNN. Accessed ] ].</ref><ref> ] ]. People's Daily. Accessed ] ].</ref> Estimates of excess deaths in China due to environmental pollution (apart from smoking) are placed at 760,000 people per annum due to air and water pollution (including ])<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 ] (a pneumonia-like disease) which has since been largely contained.<ref>. ] ]. World Health Organization. Accessed ] ].</ref>

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

].]]
] concert performance. The band combines ] and musical elements with ].]]

For centuries, opportunity for economic and social advancement in ] could be provided by high performance on ]. The literary emphasis of the exams affected the general perception of cultural refinement in China, such as the view that ] and literati painting were higher forms of art than dancing or drama. China's traditional values were derived from various versions of ] and ]. A number of more ] and ] strains of thought have also been influential, such as ]. There was often conflict between the philosophies, such as the ] ] ], who believed ] departed from the original spirit of Confucianism. ]s and a ] remain greatly valued in China today. In recent years, a number of ] have advocated that democratic ideals and human rights are quite compatible with traditional Confucian "Asian values."<ref>Bary, Theodore de. . Columbia University.</ref>

Today, the PRC government has accepted a great deal of traditional ] as an integral part of Chinese society, lauding it as an important achievement of the ] and emphasizing it as vital to a ]. Modern Chinese art, literature, music, film, fashion and architecture have become increasingly ready to incorporate various degrees of traditional Chinese culture into their works.

The first leaders of the People's Republic of China were born in the old society but were influenced by the ] 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 ] history, while others say that the CPC's rule has damaged the foundations of Chinese culture, especially through political movements such as the ], 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 ], ], literature, and performing arts like ], were altered to conform to government policies and propaganda. One example being ], since ] were blamed for the country's low literacy rate at the time.<ref name="Yen">Yen, Yuehping. (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" />.

===Religion===
{{main|Religion in China}}
{{seealso|Chinese folk religion|feng shui}}
Most Chinese — 59% of the population, or about 767 million people — identify themselves as non-religious.<ref>''World Desk Reference''. D K Publishing. ISBN 0-7566-1099-0</ref> However, rituals and religion — especially the traditional beliefs of ] and ] — play a significant part in the lives of many. About 33% of the population follow a mixture of beliefs usually referred to by statisticians as "Traditional Beliefs" or just "Other".

About 8% of the Chinese population are avowed ], with ] (大乘, ''Dacheng'') and its subsets ] (Amidism), ] and ] being the most widely practiced. With an estimated 100 million adherents, Buddhism is the country's largest organized religion. Other forms of Buddhism, such as ] and ], are practiced largely by ethnic minorities along the geographic fringes of the Chinese mainland.<ref>Macintosh, R. Scott. (March 09, 2006). Retrieved ] ].</ref> A government official recently suggested that there are 130 million Christians(See Religion in China article). <ref>http://hrwf.org/religiousfreedom/news/2007PDF/China%202007.doc</ref> Official figures indicate that there are currently about 20 million ].<ref>. 2004. International Religious Freedom Report 2004 — U.S. Department of State. ''URL accessed ] ].''</ref>

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

] game in a Beijing neighborhood.]]

China has one of the ] in the world, spanning the course of several millennia. There is, in fact, evidence that a form of ] was first played in ] around 1000 AD, leading many historians to believe that the popular sport originated from China.<ref>. 2000. Athleticscholarships.net. Accessed ] ].</ref> Besides soccer,<ref>. 2002. ESPN Soccernet. Accessed ] ]</ref> some of the most popular sports in the country include ], ], ], ], ], and more recently, ] and ]. ] such as ] (Weiqi), and ] (Chinese chess) and recently ] are also commonly played and have organised competitions.

] is widely emphasized in ]. Morning exercises are a common activity and often one can find the elderly practicing ] and ] in parks or students doing stretches on school campuses. Young people are especially keen on ], especially in urban centres with limited space and grass areas. The ] has a huge following among Chinese youths, with ] 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 ], officially known as the ''Games of the XXIX Olympiad'', will be held in ], and as a result the country has put even more emphasis on sports.

Many traditional sports are also played. The popular Chinese ] ] (龙舟) occurs during the ]. In ], sports such as Mongolian-style wrestling and ] are popular. In ], ] and ] are a part of traditional festivals.<ref>Qinfa, Ye. . About.com. Retrieved ] ].</ref>

{{seealso|Chinese art|Chinese architecture|Chinese clothing|Chinese cuisine|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}}

==See also==
{{portal}}
* ] (civilization)
* ]
* ]
* ], ], and ]
* ]
* ]
*]

==References and footnotes==
<!-- Please DO NOT use a scroll template or form/table for the reflink, please read warning on the scoll template page. Thank you -->
{{reflist|2}}

==Further reading==
{{sisterlinks|China}}
*{{cite book |last=Lynch |first=Michael |title=Peoples Republic Of China 1949–90 |year=1998 |publisher=] |isbn=0-340-68853-X}}
*{{cite book |last=Murphey |first=Rhoads |title=East Asia: A New History |year=1996 |publisher=] |isbn=0-321-07801-2 }}
*{{cite book |author=Sang Ye |title=China Candid: The People on the People's Republic |year=2006 |publisher=] |location= |isbn=0-520-24514-8}}
*{{cite book |last=Selden |first=Mark |title=The People's Republic of China: Documentary History of Revolutionary Change |year=1979 |publisher=Monthly Review Press |location=New York |isbn=0-853-45532-5}}
*{{cite book |last=Terrill |first=Ross |title=The New Chinese Empire, And What It Means For The United States |year=2003 |publisher=Basic Books |location=New York |isbn=0-465-08412-5}}
*{{cite book |last=Thurston |first=Anne F. |title=China Bound: A Guide to Academic Life and Work in the PRC |year=1994 |publisher=] |location=Washington |isbn=0-309-04932-6}}
*Farah, Paolo, ''Five Years of China’s WTO Membership. EU and US Perspectives on China’s Compliance with Transparency Commitments and the Transitional Review Mechanism'', Legal Issues of Economic Integration, Kluwer Law International, Volume 33, Number 3, pp. 263–304, 2006. .
{{clear}}

==External links==
'''Overviews'''
<div class="references-small">
*
*
*
*
* by Yiching Wu
</div>

'''Documentaries'''
<div class="references-small">
* PBS Online NewsHour. October 2005.
*'''' a documentary co-produced by ''The New York Times'', ''Discovery Times'', CBC, ZDF, France 5 and S4C. ]].
*, 1998–2001. PBS Frontline.
*'''' A documentary series co-produced by KQED Public Television and Granada Television.
</div>

'''Government'''
<div class="references-small">
*
*
</div>

'''Studies'''
<div class="references-small">
* ], ].
* Timeline of Key Events since 1949.
*
* by Peter Kwong, originally published in ] 2 oct 06.
</div>

'''Travel'''
<div class="references-small">
*{{wikitravel|China}}
</div>

'''Maps'''
<div class="references-small">
*
*
{{Wikiatlas|the People's Republic of China}}
</div>

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Revision as of 16:47, 12 August 2007