Population: 1,306,313,812 (July 2005 est.)
Capital: Beijing
Languages: Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the Beijing
dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghaiese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority
languages (see Ethnic groups entry)
Religions: Daoist (Taoist), Buddhist, Muslim 1%-2%, Christian 3%-4%
officially atheist (2002 est.)
Government: Communist state
Climate: extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north
Terrain: mostly mountains, high plateaus, deserts in west; plains, deltas, and hills in east
Geography: world's fourth largest country (after Russia, Canada, and US); Mount Everest on the border with Nepal is the
world's tallest peak
Ethnic groups: Han Chinese 91.9%, Zhuang, Uygur, Hui, Yi, Tibetan, Miao, Manchu, Mongol, Buyi, Korean, and
other nationalities 8.1%
Economy: China's economy during the last quarter-century has changed from a centrally planned
system that was largely closed to international trade to a more market-oriented economy that has a rapidly growing private
sector and is a major player in the global economy. Reforms started in the late 1970s with the phasing out of collectivized
agriculture, and expanded to include the gradual liberalization of prices, fiscal decentralization, increased autonomy for
state enterprises, the foundation of a diversified banking system, the development of stock markets, the rapid growth of the
non-state sector, and the opening to foreign trade and investment. China has generally implemented reforms in a gradualist or
piecemeal fashion. The process continues with key moves in 2005 including the sale of equity in China's largest state banks
to foreign investors and refinements in foreign exchange and bond markets. The restructuring of the economy and resulting
efficiency gains have contributed to a more than ten-fold increase in GDP since 1978. Measured on a purchasing power parity
(PPP) basis, China in 2005 stood as the second-largest economy in the world after the US, although in per capita terms the
country is still lower middle-income and 150 million Chinese fall below international poverty lines. Economic development has
generally been more rapid in coastal provinces than in the interior and there are large disparities in per capita income
between regions. The government has struggled to (a) sustain adequate jobs growth for tens of millions of workers laid off
from state-owned enterprises, migrants, and new entrants to the work force; (b) reduce corruption and other economic crimes;
and (c) contain environmental damage and social strife related to the economy's rapid transformation. From 100 to 150 million
surplus rural workers are adrift between the villages and the cities, many subsisting through part-time, low-paying jobs. One
demographic consequence of the "one child" policy is that China is now one of the most rapidly aging countries in the world.
Another long-term threat to growth is the deterioration in the environment - notably air pollution, soil erosion, and the
steady fall of the water table especially in the north. China continues to lose arable land because of erosion and economic
development. China has benefited from a huge expansion in computer Internet use, with more than 100 million users at the end
of 2005. Foreign investment remains a strong element in China's remarkable expansion in world trade and has been an important
factor in growth of urban jobs. On 21 July 2005 China revalued its currency by 2.1 percent against the US dollar and moved to
an exchange rate system that references a basket of currencies. Reports of shortages of electric power in the summer of 2005
in southern China receded by September-October and did not have a substantial impact on China's economy. More power
generating capacity is scheduled to come on line in 2006 as large scale investments are completed. The Central Committee of
the Chinese Communist Party in October 2005 approved the draft 11th Five-Year Plan and the National People's Congress is
expected to give final approval in March 2006. The plan calls for a 20 percent reduction in energy consumption per unit of GDP
by 2010 and an estimated 45 percent increase in GDP by 2010. The plan states that conserving resources and protecting the
environment are basic goals but it lacks details on the policies and reforms necessary to achieve these goals.
GDP per capita: purchasing power parity - $6,200 (2005 est.)
GDP real growth: 9.2%
(official data) (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate: 4.2% official registered unemployment in urban areas in 2004; substantial
unemployment and underemployment in rural areas; an official Chinese journal estimated overall unemployment (including rural
areas) for 2003 at 20% (2004)
Internet country code: .cn
Dial code: +86