# Library

# Main Content

East Asia/Southeast Asia :: China Print
Page last updated on December 31, 2018
The World Factbook Country/Location Flag Modal
East Asia/Southeast Asia :: China Print
Flag Description
red with a large yellow five-pointed star and four smaller yellow five-pointed stars (arranged in a vertical arc toward the middle of the flag) in the upper hoist-side corner; the color red represents revolution, while the stars symbolize the four social classes - the working class, the peasantry, the urban petty bourgeoisie, and the national bourgeoisie (capitalists) - united under the Communist Party of China
The World Factbook Country/Location Locator Map Modal
East Asia/Southeast Asia :: China Print
The World Factbook Country/Location Photo Gallery Modal
East Asia/Southeast Asia :: China
All Landscapes
1 / 84
Caption
A dust plume arose over China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and on 9 April 2012, began its eastward journey over the Sea of Japan. New research shows that dust accounts for most of the 64 million tons of foreign aerosol imports that arrive in the air over North America each year. Credit: NASA Earth Observatory/Jeff Schmaltz.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
946x710
99.9 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
2 / 84
Caption
In this dramatic false-color satellite image, a vast alluvial fan blossoms across the Taklimakan Desert between the Kunlun and Altun mountains in Xinjiang Province. The left side of the fan in blue is the active side and displays glacial run-off from the Molcha River; the green side on the right consists of older stream paths no longer in use. Image courtesy of USGS.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1392x1500
459 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
3 / 84
Caption
This false-color, high-resolution satellite photo shows the Turpan Depression, nestled at the foot of China's Bogda Mountains, south of the oasis city of Turpan. A strange mix of salt lakes and sand dunes, this fault-bounded trough is the lowest exposed surface in China. At the center of the basin lies Ayding Lake (bottom left), which is the third lowest exposed point on the earth's surface at -154 m (-505 ft). Image courtesy of USGS.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1392x1500
576 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
4 / 84
Caption
Soaring, snow-capped peaks and ridges of the eastern Himalaya Mountains create an irregular white-on-red patchwork between major rivers in southwestern China in this enhanced satellite image. The Himalayas are made up of three parallel mountain ranges that together extend more than 2,900 km (1,800 mi) and are the youngest mountain range on the planet. Some of the world's major rivers rise in these mountains and their combined drainage basin is home to almost half of the world's entire population. Image courtesy of USGS.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1392x1500
514 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
5 / 84
Caption
The Ming Dynasty Tombs are located some 50 km (30 mi) north of Beijing. The archway leading to the Sacred Way and the tombs dates to 1540; it is the earliest and largest stone archway in China.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1024x768
114 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
6 / 84
Caption
Approaching the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square in Beijing. The building was constructed in 1959; it is the home of the National People's Congress.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1015x757
109 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
7 / 84
Caption
In front of the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square in Beijing.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
995x732
83.4 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
8 / 84
Caption
The Monument to the People's Heroes in Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Constructed in 1958, it commemorates those who fought in revolutions from 1840 to 1949.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
727x764
40.1 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
9 / 84
Caption
The Mao Zedong Mausoleum (or Chairman Mao Memorial Hall) was constructed in 1977 on Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Mao's body lies in a crystal casket for public viewing.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1024x768
114 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
10 / 84
Caption
The National Museum of China on Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Completed in 1959, the museum's mission is to educate about the arts and history of China.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1004x738
78.8 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
11 / 84
Caption
Built in 1420, the Gate of Heavenly Peace leads to the former Imperial City. The gate has been reconstructed several times, most recently in 1969-70.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
999x735
115 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
12 / 84
Caption
The Meridian Gate - the largest gate in the Forbidden City with five arches - is the southern entrance to the Forbidden City in Beijing. Built from 1406 to 1420, the Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty, which began in 1368, to the end of the Qing Dynasty in 1912.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
979x738
103 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
13 / 84
Caption
The Hall of Supreme Harmony as seen from the Inner Courtyard of the Forbidden City in Beijing. The Hall was destroyed by fire seven times and was last rebuilt in 1695-97. Many of the buildings of the Forbidden City were built from precious woods and marble; golden bricks were used for floors.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1500x897
184 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
14 / 84
Caption
A gilded lion sits before the Palace of Tranquil Longevity in the Inner Court of the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1125x1500
294 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
15 / 84
Caption
The Palace of Heavenly Purity is the largest of three halls in the Inner Court of the Forbidden City in Beijing. It served as the audience hall during the Qing Dynasty (1644 to 1912).
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1006x741
116 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
16 / 84
Caption
Roof charms decorate a building in the Forbidden City. The more important the structure, the more decorative charms were used - in this case eleven: a man riding a phoenix heads a procession of nine mythical beasts that are followed by an imperial dragon.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1500x892
141 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
17 / 84
Caption
A section of the Forbidden City in Beijing at sunset. Built between 1406 and 1420, the palace complex served as the Chinese imperial palace until 1912. Today it is the Palace Museum showing artifacts from the Ming to the Qing Dynasties (14th to 20th centuries). The complex - on the World Heritage Site list since 1987 - consists of 980 surviving buildings on 72 hectares (178 acres) and is the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1125x1500
94.5 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
18 / 84
Caption
Hutongs are traditional Chinese neighborhoods composed of narrow streets or alleys, running from siheyuan, or courtyard residences. Since the mid-20th century, these types of neighborhoods have become increasingly rare. This is a hutong in Beijing.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1125x1500
336 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
19 / 84
Caption
The Tower of Buddhist Incense rises over the Temple of Buddhist Virtue at the Summer Palace in Beijing. The Palace - termed the Gardens of Nurtured Harmony in Chinese - was a summer resort for the imperial family. It consists of palaces, gardens, a lake, and a hill. Gardens have been at the site since the 12th century; construction of the Summer Palace began in 1750.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
991x724
75.2 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
20 / 84
Caption
The Tower of Buddhist Incense at the Summer Palace in Beijing.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
999x739
94.1 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
21 / 84
Caption
Section of the Long Corridor, a covered walkway of the Summer Palace in Beijing. Erected in the middle of the 18th century, the corridor is famous for its great length (728 m) as well as its elaborate decoration (more than 14,000 paintings).
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1200x1500
454 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
22 / 84
Caption
Close up of one of the Long Corridor murals at the Summer Palace in Beijing.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1500x1200
325 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
23 / 84
Caption
Throne hall in the emperor's administrative area close to the East Gate of the Summer Palace in Beijing.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1024x768
124 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
24 / 84
Caption
The Marble Boat at the Summer Palace in Beijing. The wooden structure was built in 1755 on a stone base and rebuilt in 1893 as a wooden lakeside pavilion in the shape of a paddle steamer. The structure is faux painted to imitate marble.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1024x768
144 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
25 / 84
Caption
The Lama Temple in Beijing was originally built in 1694 to house court eunuchs. Sometimes called the Palace of Peace and Harmony, it now serves as a Buddhist monastery. This pavilion and the incense burner in the foreground are part of the Temple complex.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1125x1500
296 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
26 / 84
Caption
The Drum Tower in Beijing was built in 1272 and rebuilt twice after two fires. It originally contained one large drum and 24 smaller drums that were used to keep track of time. The Drum Tower is 47 m high and located to the north of the Forbidden City.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1125x1500
185 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
27 / 84
Caption
A close-up of the colorful architecture at the Temple of Confucius in Beijing. Initially built in 1302, the temple was used by imperial officials to pay homage to the ancient philosopher and educator.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1500x1125
354 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
28 / 84
Caption
The concentric street patterns of Beijing are clearly visible in this photo taken from the International Space Station. The rectangular area in the center is the Palace Museum also known as the Forbidden City. The area of buildings north of the Forbidden City contains a number of universities. Beijing is surrounded by six ring roads or beltways, four of which may be seen in this photo. The 1st Ring Road no longer functions as an expressway. Image courtesy of NASA.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
639x423
74.4 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
29 / 84
Caption
The Juyongguan section of the Great Wall is closest to Beijing and is therefore its most visited portion. Most of the existing Great Wall was built during the Ming Dynasty (14th to 17th centuries) to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire. The Manchus conquered the Empire in the mid-17th century and established the Qing Dynasty; they added so much more territory to the Empire beyond the Great Wall that the structure was no longer needed to protect the Empire from outside invaders.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1125x1500
220 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
30 / 84
Caption
A crenellated walkway on top of the Great Wall. The Wall stretched for many thousands of miles linking fortresses. Signal towers were used for communication.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1125x1500
248 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
31 / 84
Caption
A walkway on top of the Great Wall leading to a fortification at Juyongguan Pass.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1125x1500
261 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
32 / 84
Caption
Multiple watchtowers along a section of the Great Wall.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1500x998
338 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
33 / 84
Caption
The Gezhouba Dam locks on the Yangtze River. The dam - completed in 1988 - is 38 km downstream (east) of the Three Gorges Dam. Here the water level in the locks has been lowered to receive vessels.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1024x768
91.5 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
34 / 84
Caption
The Gezhouba Dam locks on the Yangtze River. Here the locks have been flooded.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1024x768
66.1 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
35 / 84
Caption
Construction of the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in central China. On 15 May 2006, Chinese engineers were pouring the last of the concrete to finish the construction of the massive dam, which is designed to provide flood control and to be the largest electricity-generating plant in the world. By 15 May 2006, the dam spanned the entire river, and a large reservoir had filled behind it to the northwest. White spray shoots through gates in the center portion of the dam. The former locks are much less prominent, and the new ones to the north appear as a linear arrangement of thin, blue rectangles. Photos courtesy of NASA.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
540x704
73 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
36 / 84
Caption
An image from 15 April 2009 showing the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River and the flooding upriver from the dam. The main purposes for the dam are twofold: to supply water for the largest hydroelectric plant in the world and to help control the devastating floods that plague the lowlands downstream from the dam. The epic scale of the dam project is matched by the level of controversy it continues to generate. Concerns about major environmental impacts, the relocation of 1.3 million people, and the flooding of 13 cities, more than 1,300 villages, archeological locations, and hazardous waste dumps were raised throughout the planning and implementation. Environmental concerns include increased seismicity from the loading of the water, landslides, changed ecosystems, accumulated pollution, increased chances for waterborne diseases, and salinity changes in the Yangtze estuary. Photo courtesy of NASA.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
720x540
112 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
37 / 84
Caption
The Three Gorges Dam at Sandouping is the largest hydroelectric power station in the world. It provides power and controls water flow to prevent floods and to supply water downstream during times of drought. Its construction forced the relocation of 1.3 million people and the flooding of thousands of cities, towns, and historical sites. This is a view of the reservoir behind the dam.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1024x768
69.4 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
38 / 84
Caption
The five-stage locks at the Three Gorges Dam at Sandouping. The locks were constructed to increase river shipping by up to 10 times and to cut transportation costs by one third.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1024x768
119 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
39 / 84
Caption
The spillway of the Three Gorges Dam at Sandouping.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1024x768
77 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
40 / 84
Caption
The Huangling Temple in Sandouping - site of the Three Gorges Dam - dates back to 1618.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1024x768
124 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
41 / 84
Caption
Wushan on the Yangtze is an example of a major city flooded by the rising waters of the Three Gorges Dam and moved to higher ground.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1024x768
103 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
42 / 84
Caption
The Dragon Gate Gorge is one of the Three Lesser Gorges near Wushan on the Daning River, a tributary of the Yangtze River.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1024x768
69 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
43 / 84
Caption
Tour boat on the Daning River, a tributary of the Yangtze River.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1024x768
116 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
44 / 84
Caption
Shibaozhai is a steep, rocky, and craggy hill on the bank of the Yangtze River, in Zhong county, Chongqing. A temple at the crest of the 220 m (722 ft) hill was built in the 18th century. A nine-story wooden pagoda was constructed in the 1819 to aid pilgrims in getting to the top of the hill. In 1956, three more stories were added. A coffer dam protects the site from higher river waters - the result of the Three Gorges Dam.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1024x768
80.1 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
45 / 84
Caption
Entranceway to the Shibaozhai complex via a swinging foot bridge.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1024x768
95.9 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
46 / 84
Caption
The 12-story wooden pagoda at Shibaozhai. The first nine-stories were constructed in the 1819; three more stories were added in 1956.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
567x761
74.6 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
47 / 84
Caption
The decorated and walled entrance at the base of the Shibaozhai Pagoda.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1024x768
158 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
48 / 84
Caption
A lifelike group of figures on one of the landings in the pagoda.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1024x768
138 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
49 / 84
Caption
The entrance to the Shibaozhai Temple.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1024x768
126 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
50 / 84
Caption
Imposing statue in the Shibaozhai Temple.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1024x768
88.5 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
51 / 84
Caption
Very realistic figure on display at the Shibaozhai Temple.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1024x768
120 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
52 / 84
Caption
The Grand Theater in Shanghai, the largest city in China with over 20 million citizens. Shanghai was a multinational hub of finance and business in the 1930's before its development and prosperity were set back by half a century of Communism. Economic reforms of the 1990s revitalized the city. Today it is the largest center of commerce and investment in China, as well as a popular tourist destination. The distinctive tall building in the background, Tomorrow Square, houses a hotel and apartment units.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1500x1125
172 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
53 / 84
Caption
The Shanghai Museum of Ancient Art was founded in 1952 in the club house of the former Shanghai Racecourse. A new building - constructed in the form of an ancient bronze cooking vessel called a ding - was opened in 1996 on People's Square. It houses some 120,000 items including bronzes, ceramics, paintings, calligraphy, furniture, jades, ancient coins, seals, and sculptures.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1500x1125
240 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
54 / 84
Caption
View of the Pudong area in Shanghai from across the Huongpu River. The Pudong is a rapidly developing business district in the city.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1024x768
94.5 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
55 / 84
Caption
View of The Bund area in Shanghai. Most of the buildings were built in the early 20th century in a Neoclassical style by European and American businesses.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1024x768
103 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
56 / 84
Caption
View of The Bund area in Shanghai from across the Huongpu River. "Bund" is an Anglo-Indian word for an embankment of a muddy waterfront.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1024x768
86.8 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
57 / 84
Caption
The Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai overlooks the Huangpu River. Designed by a local architectural company and completed in 1995, it is 468 m (1,535 ft) tall and has a revolving restaurant, exhibition facilities, restaurants, a shopping mall, and the Space Hotel. The antenna for TV and radio broadcasting adds 118 m (387 ft) to the total height.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1236x1500
167 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
58 / 84
Caption
The Huxinting Teahouse (Mid-Lake Pavilion Teahouse) in Shanghai was built as a pavilion in the middle of an artificial lake in 1784, but converted to a teahouse in 1855. It can accommodate 200 patrons at a time and is visited by people from all over the world.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1125x1500
296 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
59 / 84
Caption
Yuyuan Garden in Shanghai, which dates to the Ming Dynasty (14th-17th centuries), contains two hectares (five acres) of delicate pavilions and winding paths.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1024x768
202 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
60 / 84
Caption
Yuyuan Garden in Shanghai dates to the Ming Dynasty (14th-17th centuries). Its two hectares (five acres) display a variety of sights including caves, grottoes, and a 14 m (46 ft) artificial mountain.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1024x768
216 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
61 / 84
Caption
Panda munching bamboo stalks at the Chongqing Zoo.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
882x768
121 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
62 / 84
Caption
Panda munching bamboo stalks at the Chongqing Zoo.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
840x714
109 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
63 / 84
Caption
Lesser pandas at the Chongqing Zoo.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
961x765
146 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
64 / 84
Caption
The mosque in downtown Urumqi, Xinjiang Province was built in 1919. One of the most beautiful parts of the structure is its prayer hall, decorated with glazed tiles in colorful patterns of flowers and plants.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1500x1125
175 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
65 / 84
Caption
The ruins of Jiaohe in the Yarnaz Valley 10 km (6 mi) west of Turpan. An important site along the Silk Road, the city was situated on an islet in the middle of a river, which served as a natural barrier and enabled the city to be built without walls. From 108 B.C. to A.D. 450 it was the capital of the Anterior Jushi Kingdom; later, it became a prefecture capital until it was destroyed by the Mongols in the 13th century.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1500x1125
229 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
66 / 84
Caption
Camels outside of Gaochang, the ruins of an ancient city 30 km (18 mi) southeast of Turpan. Built in the first century B.C., it was an important hub along the Silk Road. The city was burnt and destroyed in wars of the 14th century, but many impressive temple and palace ruins remain.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1500x969
177 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
67 / 84
Caption
Crescent Moon Lake is an oasis in the Singing Sands Mountains, six kilometers south of Dunhuang. The lake gets its name from its shape. Activities in this area include camel riding, dune paragliding, and sand sledding. Most tourists visit in the evening to avoid the heat.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1500x1125
95.8 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
68 / 84
Caption
Approaching the Emin Mosque and Minaret in Turpan, an oasis city in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Province. The Emin Minaret was begun in 1777 and completed in only one year. It is the tallest minaret in China (44 m, 144 ft) and is named in honor of Emin Khoja, a heroic Turpan general.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1500x1125
151 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
69 / 84
Caption
Gardens surround the Emin Mosque and Minaret in Turpan. A statue of Emin Khoja stands before the minaret.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1500x1125
221 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
70 / 84
Caption
Some of the terra cotta warriors found in the mausoleum of the first Chinese Emperor Qin Shi Huang (221-210 B.C.) in Xi'an. The tomb, under an earthen pyramid, was discovered in 1974 and excavations are ongoing. The ceramic army that accompanied the ruler into the afterlife is estimated to consist of over 8,000 soldiers (each with a unique face), 100 chariots with 400 horses, and 300 cavalry horses.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1500x1125
219 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
71 / 84
Caption
The Forest of Stone Stelae museum in Xi'an is located in what was formerly a Confucian temple. Some 3,000 inscribed stelae and stone carvings are housed at this site that has been called the "Cradle of Calligraphy."
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1500x1125
297 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
72 / 84
Caption
Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the world's deepest river canyons, is located on the Yangtze River near Lijiang City, Yunnan. A local legend of a tiger that leapt across the narrowest point of the gorge gives the site its name.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1500x997
104 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
73 / 84
Caption
Elephant Trunk Hill, located on the western bank of the Li River, is the symbol of Guilin city.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1500x1053
294 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
74 / 84
Caption
The Main Hall of the Longting (Dragon) Pavilion in Kaifeng, Henan province, dates to 1734.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1500x1070
165 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
75 / 84
Caption
A view of Southern China and the Gulf of Tonkin. Additionally, parts of several Southeast Asian countries may be seen. Thailand appears in the bottom left hand corner, with Burma to the north, and Laos to the northeast. Also visible in this image is Vietnam, which is northeast of Laos, and the expanse of southeastern China dominates the rest of the image. At the center-right of the image, circled in a black outline, is the island of Hong Kong. Hong Kong sits on the South China Sea, which is mostly under cloud cover in this image. West of the South China Sea is the island of Hainan, seen at bottom-center, which separates the sea from the Gulf of Tonkin to the west. In this image, the Gulf of Tonkin is saturated with what seems to be a mixture of sediment and phytoplankton. Photo courtesy of NASA.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1500x1147
377 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
76 / 84
Caption
An area in northern Shanxi Province imaged on 9 January 2001. The low sun angle and light snow cover highlight a section of the Great Wall, visible as a black line snaking diagonally through the image from lower left to upper right. The Great Wall (actually a series of walls) is over 2,000 years old and was built over a period of 1,000 years. Stretching 8,850 km (5,500 mi) from Korea to the Gobi Desert, it was built to protect China from northern marauders. Click on photo for higher resolution. Image courtesy of NASA.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
768x768
197 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
77 / 84
Caption
The rugged texture of the Altun Mountains (upper left) that forms part of the northern boundary of the Tibetan Plateau contrasts dramatically with the Takla Makan Desert of western China. Immediately north (to the right) of the mountains are large alluvial fans, gradually sloping downward in elevation. Sand dunes and sand ridges are visible along the northern (lower right) margin of the image. Click on photo for higher resolution. Image courtesy of NASA.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
639x640
68.4 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
78 / 84
Caption
Snow-covered deserts are rare, but that is exactly what NASA's Aqua satellite observed as it passed over the Takla Makan Desert in the Xinjian Uygyr autonomous region of western China on 2 January 2013. The Takla Makan is one of the world's largest and hottest sandy deserts. Water flowing into the Tarim Basin has no outlet so, over the years, sediments have steadily accumulated. In parts of the desert, sand can pile up to 300 m (roughly 1,000 ft) high. The mountains that enclose the sea of sand - the Tien Shan in the north and the Kunlun Shan in the south - are also covered with what appears to be a significantly thicker layer of snow. Image courtesy of NASA.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
946x728
143 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
79 / 84
Caption
The Brahmaputra River carves a narrow west-east valley between the Tibetan Plateau to the north and the Himalaya Mountains to the south, as it rushes eastward for more than 1,500 km (940 mi) in southwestern China. This 15-km (9-mi) stretch is situated about 35 km (22 mi) south of the ancient Tibetan capital of Lhasa where the river flow becomes intricately braided as it works and reworks its way through extensive deposits of erosional material. Click on photo for higher resolution. Image courtesy of NASA.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
640x437
61.7 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
80 / 84
Caption
An oblique view of the Himalayas as seen from the International Space Station, 360 km (225 mi) up. The view looks south over the Tibetan Plateau and features Mt. Everest and Makalu (the 1st and 5th highest mountains in the world respectively). The image almost looks like a picture taken from an airplane until you remember that the summits of Makalu [left (8,462 m: 27,765 ft)] and Everest [center (8,850 m; 29,035 ft)] are at the heights typically flown by commercial aircraft, and could never be seen this way from an airplane. Click on photo for higher resolution. Image courtesy of NASA.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
639x423
66.5 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
81 / 84
Caption
This detailed photograph taken from the International Space Station highlights the northern approach to Mount Everest from Tibet. Known as the northeast ridge route, climbers travel along the East Rongbuk Glacier (top right) to camp at the base of Changtse Mountain. From this point at approximately 6,100 m (20,000 ft) above sea level, the North Col - a sharp-edged pass carved by glaciers, center - is ascended to reach a series of progressively higher camps along the North Face of Everest, culminating in Camp VI at 8,230 m (27,000 ft) above sea level. Climbers make their final push to the summit (not visible, just off the bottom edge of the image) from this altitude. Image courtesy of NASA.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
640x438
75.2 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
82 / 84
Caption
Besides the world's tallest peaks, the Himalayan Mountain Range holds thousands of glaciers. In southern China, just north of the border with Nepal, one unnamed Himalayan glacier flows from southwest to northeast, creeping down a valley terminating in a glacial lake. Shown in this natural-color satellite image, mountains on either side of the glacier cast long shadows to the northwest. From a bowl-shaped cirque, the glacier flows downhill. Where the ice passes over especially steep terrain, ripple marks on the glacier surface indicate the icefall. Northeast of the icefall, the glacier's surface is mostly smooth for several kilometers until a network of crevasses mark the surface. At the end of the glacier's deeply crevassed snout sits a glacial lake, coated with ice in this wintertime picture. Just as nearby mountains cast shadows, the crevassed glacier casts small shadows onto the lake's icy surface. This glacial lake is bound by the glacier snout on one end, and a moraine - a mound formed by the accumulation of sediments and rocks moved by the glacier - on the other. Image courtesy of NASA.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
720x720
138 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
83 / 84
Caption
Glaciers in the Qilian Mountain range of central China as viewed from the International Space Station at an altitude of about 400 km (250 mi). The icy tongues extend to the left from the higher elevations at the right. Image courtesy of NASA.
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1041x694
136 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
84 / 84
Caption
Namco Lake, meaning Heavenly Lake, is north of Lhasa in Tibet. It is the highest and largest salt water lake in the world (4,718 m (15,475 ft) above sea level; 1,940 sq km (750 sq mi) in area).
Dimensions
File Size
Download
1500x517
116 KB
Download
Usage
Factbook photos - obtained from a variety of sources - are in the public domain and are copyright free.
Agency Copyright Notice
Previous Next

- Introduction :: China
- Background: This entry usually highlights major historic events and current issues and may include a statement about one or two key future trends.

  China's historical civilization dates from at least 1200 B.C.; from the 3rd century B.C. and for the next two millennia, China alternated between periods of unity and disunity under a succession of imperial dynasties. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the country was beset by civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. After World War II, the Chinese Communist Party under MAO Zedong established an autocratic socialist system that, while ensuring China's sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life and cost the lives of tens of millions of people. After 1978, MAO's successor DENG Xiaoping and other leaders focused on market-oriented economic development and by 2000 output had quadrupled. For much of the population, living standards have improved dramatically but political controls remain tight. Since the early 1990s, China has increased its global outreach and participation in international organizations.

  CHINA SUMMARY: PDF
- Geography :: China
- Location: This entry identifies the country's regional location, neighboring countries, and adjacent bodies of water.
  Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam
  Geographic coordinates: This entry includes rounded latitude and longitude figures for the centroid or center point of a country expressed in degrees and minutes; it is based on the locations provided in the Geographic Names Server (GNS), maintained by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency on behalf of the US Board on Geographic Names.
  35 00 N, 105 00 E
  Map references: This entry includes the name of the Factbook reference map on which a country may be found. Note that boundary representations on these maps are not necessarily authoritative. The entry on Geographic coordinates may be helpful in finding some smaller countries.
  Asia
  Area: This entry includes three subfields. Total area is the sum of all land and water areas delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines. Land area is the aggregate of all surfaces delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines, excluding inland water bodies (lakes, reservoirs, rivers). Water area is the sum of the surfaces of all inland water bodies, such as lakes, reservoirs, or rivers, as delimited by international boundaries and/or coastlines.
  total: 9,596,960 sq km
  land: 9,326,410 sq km
  water: 270,550 sq km
  country comparison to the world: 5
  Area - comparative: This entry provides an area comparison based on total area equivalents. Most entities are compared with the entire US or one of the 50 states based on area measurements (1990 revised) provided by the US Bureau of the Census. The smaller entities are compared with Washington, DC (178 sq km, 69 sq mi) or The Mall in Washington, DC (0.59 sq km, 0.23 sq mi, 146 acres).
  slightly smaller than the US
  Area comparison map:
  The World Factbook Field Image Modal
  East Asia/Southeast Asia :: China Print
  Image Description

  slightly smaller than the US

  Land boundaries: This entry contains the total length of all land boundaries and the individual lengths for each of the contiguous border countries. When available, official lengths published by national statistical agencies are used. Because surveying methods may differ, country border lengths reported by contiguous countries may differ.
  total: 22,457 km
  border countries (15): Afghanistan 91 km, Bhutan 477 km, Burma 2129 km, India 2659 km, Kazakhstan 1765 km, North Korea 1352 km, Kyrgyzstan 1063 km, Laos 475 km, Mongolia 4630 km, Nepal 1389 km, Pakistan 438 km, Russia (northeast) 4133 km, Russia (northwest) 46 km, Tajikistan 477 km, Vietnam 1297 km
  Coastline: This entry gives the total length of the boundary between the land area (including islands) and the sea.
  14,500 km
  Maritime claims: This entry includes the following claims, the definitions of which are excerpted from the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which alone contains the full and definitive descriptions: territorial sea - the sovereignty of a coastal state extends beyond its land territory and internal waters to an adjacent belt of sea, described as the territorial sea in the UNCLOS (Part II); this sovereignty extends to the air space over the territorial sea as well as its . . . more
  territorial sea: 12 nm
  exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
  contiguous zone: 24 nm
  continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
  Climate: This entry includes a brief description of typical weather regimes throughout the year.
  extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north
  Terrain: This entry contains a brief description of the topography.
  mostly mountains, high plateaus, deserts in west; plains, deltas, and hills in east
  Elevation: This entry includes both the mean elevation and the elevation extremes.
  mean elevation: 1,840 m
  elevation extremes: -154 m lowest point: Turpan Pendi
  8848 highest point: Mount Everest (highest peak in Asia and highest point on earth above sea level)
  Natural resources: This entry lists a country's mineral, petroleum, hydropower, and other resources of commercial importance, such as rare earth elements (REEs). In general, products appear only if they make a significant contribution to the economy, or are likely to do so in the future.
  coal, iron ore, petroleum, natural gas, mercury, tin, tungsten, antimony, manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, magnetite, aluminum, lead, zinc, rare earth elements, uranium, hydropower potential (world's largest), arable land
  Land use: This entry contains the percentage shares of total land area for three different types of land use: agricultural land, forest, and other; agricultural land is further divided into arable land - land cultivated for crops like wheat, maize, and rice that are replanted after each harvest, permanent crops - land cultivated for crops like citrus, coffee, and rubber that are not replanted after each harvest, and includes land under flowering shrubs, fruit trees, nut trees, and vines, and permane . . . more
  agricultural land: 54.7% (2011 est.)
  arable land: 11.3% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 1.6% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 41.8% (2011 est.)
  forest: 22.3% (2011 est.)
  other: 23% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land: This entry gives the number of square kilometers of land area that is artificially supplied with water.
  690,070 sq km (2012)
  Population distribution: This entry provides a summary description of the population dispersion within a country. While it may suggest population density, it does not provide density figures.
  overwhelming majority of the population is found in the eastern half of the country; the west, with its vast mountainous and desert areas, remains sparsely populated; though ranked first in the world in total population, overall density is less than that of many other countries in Asia and Europe; high population density is found along the Yangtze and Yellow River valleys, the Xi Jiang River delta, the Sichuan Basin (around Chengdu), in and around Beijing, and the industrial area around Shenyang
  Natural hazards: This entry lists potential natural disasters. For countries where volcanic activity is common, a volcanism subfield highlights historically active volcanoes.

  frequent typhoons (about five per year along southern and eastern coasts); damaging floods; tsunamis; earthquakes; droughts; land subsidence

  volcanism: China contains some historically active volcanoes including Changbaishan (also known as Baitoushan, Baegdu, or P'aektu-san), Hainan Dao, and Kunlun although most have been relatively inactive in recent centuries

  Environment - current issues: This entry lists the most pressing and important environmental problems. The following terms and abbreviations are used throughout the entry: Acidification - the lowering of soil and water pH due to acid precipitation and deposition usually through precipitation; this process disrupts ecosystem nutrient flows and may kill freshwater fish and plants dependent on more neutral or alkaline conditions (see acid rain). Acid rain - characterized as containing harmful levels of sulfur dioxi . . . more
  air pollution (greenhouse gases, sulfur dioxide particulates) from reliance on coal produces acid rain; China is the world's largest single emitter of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels; water shortages, particularly in the north; water pollution from untreated wastes; coastal destruction due to land reclamation, industrial development, and aquaculture; deforestation and habitat destruction; poor land management leads to soil erosion, landslides, floods, droughts, dust storms, and desertification; trade in endangered species
  Environment - international agreements: This entry separates country participation in international environmental agreements into two levels - party to and signed, but not ratified. Agreements are listed in alphabetical order by the abbreviated form of the full name.
  party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
  signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
  Geography - note: This entry includes miscellaneous geographic information of significance not included elsewhere.
  world's fourth largest country (after Russia, Canada, and US) and largest country situated entirely in Asia; Mount Everest on the border with Nepal is the world's tallest peak above sea level
- People and Society :: China
- Population: This entry gives an estimate from the US Bureau of the Census based on statistics from population censuses, vital statistics registration systems, or sample surveys pertaining to the recent past and on assumptions about future trends. The total population presents one overall measure of the potential impact of the country on the world and within its region. Note: Starting with the 1993 Factbook, demographic estimates for some countries (mostly African) have explicitly taken into account t . . . more
  1,384,688,986 (July 2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 1
  Nationality: This entry provides the identifying terms for citizens - noun and adjective.
  noun: Chinese (singular and plural)
  adjective: Chinese
  Ethnic groups: This entry provides an ordered listing of ethnic groups starting with the largest and normally includes the percent of total population.
  Han Chinese 91.6%, Zhuang 1.3%, other (includes Hui, Manchu, Uighur, Miao, Yi, Tujia, Tibetan, Mongol, Dong, Buyei, Yao, Bai, Korean, Hani, Li, Kazakh, Dai, and other nationalities) 7.1% (2010 est.)

  note: the Chinese Government officially recognizes 56 ethnic groups

  Languages: This entry provides a listing of languages spoken in each country and specifies any that are official national or regional languages. When data is available, the languages spoken in each country are broken down according to the percent of the total population speaking each language as a first language. For those countries without available data, languages are listed in rank order based on prevalence, starting with the most-spoken language.
  Standard Chinese or Mandarin (official; Putonghua, based on the Beijing dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghainese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages (see Ethnic groups entry)

  note: Zhuang is official in Guangxi Zhuang, Yue is official in Guangdong, Mongolian is official in Nei Mongol, Uighur is official in Xinjiang Uygur, Kyrgyz is official in Xinjiang Uygur, and Tibetan is official in Xizang (Tibet)

  Religions: This entry is an ordered listing of religions by adherents starting with the largest group and sometimes includes the percent of total population. The core characteristics and beliefs of the world's major religions are described below. Baha'i - Founded by Mirza Husayn-Ali (known as Baha'u'llah) in Iran in 1852, Baha'i faith emphasizes monotheism and believes in one eternal transcendent God. Its guiding focus is to encourage the unity of all peoples on the earth so that justice and peace m . . . more
  Buddhist 18.2%, Christian 5.1%, Muslim 1.8%, folk religion 21.9%, Hindu < 0.1%, Jewish < 0.1%, other 0.7% (includes Daoist (Taoist)), unaffiliated 52.2% (2010 est.)

  note: officially atheist

  Age structure: This entry provides the distribution of the population according to age. Information is included by sex and age group as follows: 0-14 years (children), 15-24 years (early working age), 25-54 years (prime working age), 55-64 years (mature working age), 65 years and over (elderly). The age structure of a population affects a nation's key socioeconomic issues. Countries with young populations (high percentage under age 15) need to invest more in schools, while countries with older population . . . more
  0-14 years: 17.22% (male 128,270,371 /female 110,120,535)
  15-24 years: 12.32% (male 91,443,139 /female 79,181,726)
  25-54 years: 47.84% (male 338,189,015 /female 324,180,103)
  55-64 years: 11.35% (male 79,340,391 /female 77,857,806)
  65 years and over: 11.27% (male 74,277,631 /female 81,828,269) (2018 est.)
  population pyramid:
  The World Factbook Field Image Modal
  East Asia/Southeast Asia :: China Print
  Image Description
  This is the population pyramid for China. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends.
  For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.
  Dependency ratios: Dependency ratios are a measure of the age structure of a population. They relate the number of individuals that are likely to be economically "dependent" on the support of others. Dependency ratios contrast the ratio of youths (ages 0-14) and the elderly (ages 65+) to the number of those in the working-age group (ages 15-64). Changes in the dependency ratio provide an indication of potential social support requirements resulting from changes in population age structures. As fertility lev . . . more
  total dependency ratio: 37.7 (2015 est.)
  youth dependency ratio: 24.3 (2015 est.)
  elderly dependency ratio: 13.3 (2015 est.)
  potential support ratio: 7.5 (2015 est.)
  data do not include Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan
  Median age: This entry is the age that divides a population into two numerically equal groups; that is, half the people are younger than this age and half are older. It is a single index that summarizes the age distribution of a population. Currently, the median age ranges from a low of about 15 in Niger and Uganda to 40 or more in several European countries and Japan. See the entry for "Age structure" for the importance of a young versus an older age structure and, by implication, a low versus a high . . . more
  total: 37.7 years
  male: 36.8 years
  female: 38.8 years (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 64
  Population growth rate: The average annual percent change in the population, resulting from a surplus (or deficit) of births over deaths and the balance of migrants entering and leaving a country. The rate may be positive or negative. The growth rate is a factor in determining how great a burden would be imposed on a country by the changing needs of its people for infrastructure (e.g., schools, hospitals, housing, roads), resources (e.g., food, water, electricity), and jobs. Rapid population growth can be seen as . . . more
  0.37% (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 165
  Birth rate: This entry gives the average annual number of births during a year per 1,000 persons in the population at midyear; also known as crude birth rate. The birth rate is usually the dominant factor in determining the rate of population growth. It depends on both the level of fertility and the age structure of the population.
  12.1 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 161
  Death rate: This entry gives the average annual number of deaths during a year per 1,000 population at midyear; also known as crude death rate. The death rate, while only a rough indicator of the mortality situation in a country, accurately indicates the current mortality impact on population growth. This indicator is significantly affected by age distribution, and most countries will eventually show a rise in the overall death rate, in spite of continued decline in mortality at all ages, as declining . . . more
  8 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 89
  Net migration rate: This entry includes the figure for the difference between the number of persons entering and leaving a country during the year per 1,000 persons (based on midyear population). An excess of persons entering the country is referred to as net immigration (e.g., 3.56 migrants/1,000 population); an excess of persons leaving the country as net emigration (e.g., -9.26 migrants/1,000 population). The net migration rate indicates the contribution of migration to the overall level of population chan . . . more
  -0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 119
  Population distribution: This entry provides a summary description of the population dispersion within a country. While it may suggest population density, it does not provide density figures.
  overwhelming majority of the population is found in the eastern half of the country; the west, with its vast mountainous and desert areas, remains sparsely populated; though ranked first in the world in total population, overall density is less than that of many other countries in Asia and Europe; high population density is found along the Yangtze and Yellow River valleys, the Xi Jiang River delta, the Sichuan Basin (around Chengdu), in and around Beijing, and the industrial area around Shenyang
  Urbanization: This entry provides two measures of the degree of urbanization of a population. The first, urban population, describes the percentage of the total population living in urban areas, as defined by the country. The second, rate of urbanization, describes the projected average rate of change of the size of the urban population over the given period of time. Additionally, the World entry includes a list of the ten largest urban agglomerations. An urban agglomeration is defined as comprising th . . . more
  urban population: 59.2% of total population (2018)
  rate of urbanization: 2.42% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

  note: data do not include Hong Kong and Macau

  Major urban areas - population: This entry provides the population of the capital and up to six major cities defined as urban agglomerations with populations of at least 750,000 people. An urban agglomeration is defined as comprising the city or town proper and also the suburban fringe or thickly settled territory lying outside of, but adjacent to, the boundaries of the city. For smaller countries, lacking urban centers of 750,000 or more, only the population of the capital is presented.
  25.582 million Shanghai, 19.618 million BEIJING (capital), 14.838 million Chongqing, 12.683 million Guangdong, 13.215 million Tianjin, 11.908 million Shenzhen (2018)
  Sex ratio: This entry includes the number of males for each female in five age groups - at birth, under 15 years, 15-64 years, 65 years and over, and for the total population. Sex ratio at birth has recently emerged as an indicator of certain kinds of sex discrimination in some countries. For instance, high sex ratios at birth in some Asian countries are now attributed to sex-selective abortion and infanticide due to a strong preference for sons. This will affect future marriage patterns and fertilit . . . more
  at birth: 1.14 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  0-14 years: 1.17 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  15-24 years: 1.14 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  55-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  Maternal mortality rate: The maternal mortality rate (MMR) is the annual number of female deaths per 100,000 live births from any cause related to or aggravated by pregnancy or its management (excluding accidental or incidental causes). The MMR includes deaths during pregnancy, childbirth, or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy, for a specified year.
  27 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 118
  Infant mortality rate: This entry gives the number of deaths of infants under one year old in a given year per 1,000 live births in the same year. This rate is often used as an indicator of the level of health in a country.
  total: 11.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
  male: 12.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
  female: 11.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 118
  Life expectancy at birth: This entry contains the average number of years to be lived by a group of people born in the same year, if mortality at each age remains constant in the future. Life expectancy at birth is also a measure of overall quality of life in a country and summarizes the mortality at all ages. It can also be thought of as indicating the potential return on investment in human capital and is necessary for the calculation of various actuarial measures.
  total population: 75.8 years (2018 est.)
  male: 73.7 years (2018 est.)
  female: 78.1 years (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 100
  Total fertility rate: This entry gives a figure for the average number of children that would be born per woman if all women lived to the end of their childbearing years and bore children according to a given fertility rate at each age. The total fertility rate (TFR) is a more direct measure of the level of fertility than the crude birth rate, since it refers to births per woman. This indicator shows the potential for population change in the country. A rate of two children per woman is considered the replaceme . . . more
  1.6 children born/woman (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 181
  Health expenditures: This entry provides the total expenditure on health as a percentage of GDP. Health expenditures are broadly defined as activities performed either by institutions or individuals through the application of medical, paramedical, and/or nursing knowledge and technology, the primary purpose of which is to promote, restore, or maintain health.
  5.5% of GDP (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 125
  Physicians density: This entry gives the number of medical doctors (physicians), including generalist and specialist medical practitioners, per 1,000 of the population. Medical doctors are defined as doctors that study, diagnose, treat, and prevent illness, disease, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in humans through the application of modern medicine. They also plan, supervise, and evaluate care and treatment plans by other health care providers. The World Health Organization estimates that f . . . more
  3.63 physicians/1,000 population (2015)
  Hospital bed density: This entry provides the number of hospital beds per 1,000 people; it serves as a general measure of inpatient service availability. Hospital beds include inpatient beds available in public, private, general, and specialized hospitals and rehabilitation centers. In most cases, beds for both acute and chronic care are included. Because the level of inpatient services required for individual countries depends on several factors - such as demographic issues and the burden of disease - there is . . . more
  4.2 beds/1,000 population (2012)
  Drinking water source: This entry provides information about access to improved or unimproved drinking water sources available to segments of the population of a country. Improved drinking water - use of any of the following sources: piped water into dwelling, yard, or plot; public tap or standpipe; tubewell or borehole; protected dug well; protected spring; or rainwater collection. Unimproved drinking water - use of any of the following sources: unprotected dug well; unprotected spring; cart with small tank or . . . more
  improved: urban: 97.5% of population
  rural: 93% of population
  total: 95.5% of population
  unimproved: urban: 2.5% of population
  rural: 7% of population
  total: 4.5% of population (2015 est.)
  Sanitation facility access: This entry provides information about access to improved or unimproved sanitation facilities available to segments of the population of a country. Improved sanitation - use of any of the following facilities: flush or pour-flush to a piped sewer system, septic tank or pit latrine; ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrine; pit latrine with slab; or a composting toilet. Unimproved sanitation - use of any of the following facilities: flush or pour-flush not piped to a sewer system, septic tank . . . more
  improved: urban: 86.6% of population (2015 est.)
  rural: 63.7% of population (2015 est.)
  total: 76.5% of population (2015 est.)
  unimproved: urban: 13.4% of population (2015 est.)
  rural: 36.3% of population (2015 est.)
  total: 23.5% of population (2015 est.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: This entry gives an estimate of the percentage of adults (aged 15-49) living with HIV/AIDS. The adult prevalence rate is calculated by dividing the estimated number of adults living with HIV/AIDS at yearend by the total adult population at yearend.
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: This entry gives an estimate of all people (adults and children) alive at yearend with HIV infection, whether or not they have developed symptoms of AIDS.
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - deaths: This entry gives an estimate of the number of adults and children who died of AIDS during a given calendar year.
  NA
  Major infectious diseases: This entry lists major infectious diseases likely to be encountered in countries where the risk of such diseases is assessed to be very high as compared to the United States. These infectious diseases represent risks to US government personnel traveling to the specified country for a period of less than three years. The degree of risk is assessed by considering the foreign nature of these infectious diseases, their severity, and the probability of being affected by the diseases present. Th . . . more
  degree of risk: intermediate (2016)
  food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever (2016)
  vectorborne diseases: Japanese encephalitis (2016)
  soil contact diseases: hantaviral hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) (2016)
  Obesity - adult prevalence rate: This entry gives the percent of a country's population considered to be obese. Obesity is defined as an adult having a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater to or equal to 30.0. BMI is calculated by taking a person's weight in kg and dividing it by the person's squared height in meters.
  6.2% (2016)
  country comparison to the world: 169
  Children under the age of 5 years underweight: This entry gives the percent of children under five considered to be underweight. Underweight means weight-for-age is approximately 2 kg below for standard at age one, 3 kg below standard for ages two and three, and 4 kg below standard for ages four and five. This statistic is an indicator of the nutritional status of a community. Children who suffer from growth retardation as a result of poor diets and/or recurrent infections tend to have a greater risk of suffering illness and death.
  2.4% (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 107
  Education expenditures: This entry provides the public expenditure on education as a percent of GDP.
  NA
  Literacy: This entry includes a definition of literacy and Census Bureau percentages for the total population, males, and females. There are no universal definitions and standards of literacy. Unless otherwise specified, all rates are based on the most common definition - the ability to read and write at a specified age. Detailing the standards that individual countries use to assess the ability to read and write is beyond the scope of the Factbook. Information on literacy, while not a perfect measu . . . more
  definition: age 15 and over can read and write (2015 est.)
  total population: 96.4% (2015 est.)
  male: 98.2% (2015 est.)
  female: 94.5% (2015 est.)
  School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): School life expectancy (SLE) is the total number of years of schooling (primary to tertiary) that a child can expect to receive, assuming that the probability of his or her being enrolled in school at any particular future age is equal to the current enrollment ratio at that age. Caution must be maintained when utilizing this indicator in international comparisons. For example, a year or grade completed in one country is not necessarily the same in terms of educational content or qualit . . . more
  total: 14 years (2015)
  male: 14 years (2015)
  female: 14 years (2015)
  People - note: This entry includes miscellaneous demographic information of significance not included elsewhere.
  in October 2015, the Chinese Government announced that it would change its rules to allow all couples to have two children, loosening a 1979 mandate that restricted many couples to one child; the new policy was implemented on 1 January 2016 to address China’s rapidly aging population and economic needs
- Government :: China
- Country name: This entry includes all forms of the country's name approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (Italy is used as an example): conventional long form (Italian Republic), conventional short form (Italy), local long form (Repubblica Italiana), local short form (Italia), former (Kingdom of Italy), as well as the abbreviation. Also see the Terminology note.
  conventional long form: People's Republic of China
  conventional short form: China
  local long form: Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo
  local short form: Zhongguo
  abbreviation: PRC
  etymology: English name derives from the Qin (Chin) rulers of the 3rd century B.C., who comprised the first imperial dynasty of ancient China; the Chinese name Zhongguo translates as "Central Nation" or "Middle Kingdom"
  Government type: This entry gives the basic form of government. Definitions of the major governmental terms are as follows. (Note that for some countries more than one definition applies.): Absolute monarchy - a form of government where the monarch rules unhindered, i.e., without any laws, constitution, or legally organized opposition. Anarchy - a condition of lawlessness or political disorder brought about by the absence of governmental authority. Authoritarian - a form of government in whic . . . more
  communist party-led state
  Capital: This entry gives the name of the seat of government, its geographic coordinates, the time difference relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the time observed in Washington, DC, and, if applicable, information on daylight saving time (DST). Where appropriate, a special note has been added to highlight those countries that have multiple time zones.
  geographic coordinates: 39 55 N, 116 23 E
  time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
  capital: Beijing

  note: despite its size, all of China falls within one time zone

  Administrative divisions: This entry generally gives the numbers, designatory terms, and first-order administrative divisions as approved by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN). Changes that have been reported but not yet acted on by the BGN are noted. Geographic names conform to spellings approved by the BGN with the exception of the omission of diacritical marks and special characters.

  23 provinces (sheng, singular and plural), 5 autonomous regions (zizhiqu, singular and plural), and 4 municipalities (shi, singular and plural)

  provinces: Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang; (see note on Taiwan);

  autonomous regions: Guangxi, Nei Mongol (Inner Mongolia), Ningxia, Xinjiang Uygur, Xizang (Tibet);

  municipalities: Beijing, Chongqing, Shanghai, Tianjin

  note: China considers Taiwan its 23rd province; see separate entries for the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau

  Independence: For most countries, this entry gives the date that sovereignty was achieved and from which nation, empire, or trusteeship. For the other countries, the date given may not represent "independence" in the strict sense, but rather some significant nationhood event such as the traditional founding date or the date of unification, federation, confederation, establishment, fundamental change in the form of government, or state succession. For a number of countries, the establishment of statehood . . . more
  1 October 1949 (People's Republic of China established); notable earlier dates: 221 B.C. (unification under the Qin Dynasty); 1 January 1912 (Qing Dynasty replaced by the Republic of China)
  National holiday: This entry gives the primary national day of celebration - usually independence day.
  National Day (anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949)
  Constitution: This entry provides information on a country’s constitution and includes two subfields. The history subfield includes the dates of previous constitutions and the main steps and dates in formulating and implementing the latest constitution. For countries with 1-3 previous constitutions, the years are listed; for those with 4-9 previous, the entry is listed as “several previous,” and for those with 10 or more, the entry is “many previous.” The amendments subfield summarizes the process of am . . . more
  history: several previous; latest promulgated 4 December 1982 (2018)
  amendments: proposed by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress or supported by more than one-fifth of the National People’s Congress membership; passage requires more than two-thirds majority vote of the Congress membership; amended several times, last in 2018 (2018)
  Legal system: This entry provides the description of a country's legal system. A statement on judicial review of legislative acts is also included for a number of countries. The legal systems of nearly all countries are generally modeled upon elements of five main types: civil law (including French law, the Napoleonic Code, Roman law, Roman-Dutch law, and Spanish law); common law (including United State law); customary law; mixed or pluralistic law; and religious law (including Islamic law). An addition . . . more
  civil law influenced by Soviet and continental European civil law systems; legislature retains power to interpret statutes; note - in early 2017, the National People's Congress took the first step in adopting a new civil code by passing the General Provisions of the Civil Law
  International law organization participation: This entry includes information on a country's acceptance of jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and of the International Criminal Court (ICCt); 59 countries have accepted ICJ jurisdiction with reservations and 11 have accepted ICJ jurisdiction without reservations; 122 countries have accepted ICCt jurisdiction. Appendix B: International Organizations and Groups explains the differing mandates of the ICJ and ICCt.
  has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
  Citizenship: This entry provides information related to the acquisition and exercise of citizenship; it includes four subfields: citizenship by birth describes the acquisition of citizenship based on place of birth, known as Jus soli, regardless of the citizenship of parents. citizenship by descent only describes the acquisition of citizenship based on the principle of Jus sanguinis, or by descent, where at least one parent is a citizen of the state and being born within the territorial limits of the . . . more
  citizenship by birth: no
  citizenship by descent only: least one parent must be a citizen of China
  dual citizenship recognized: no
  residency requirement for naturalization: while naturalization is theoretically possible, in practical terms it is extremely difficult; residency is required but not specified
  Suffrage: This entry gives the age at enfranchisement and whether the right to vote is universal or restricted.
  18 years of age; universal
  Judicial branch: This entry includes three subfields. The highest court(s) subfield includes the name(s) of a country's highest level court(s), the number and titles of the judges, and the types of cases heard by the court, which commonly are based on civil, criminal, administrative, and constitutional law. A number of countries have separate constitutional courts. The judge selection and term of office subfield includes the organizations and associated officials responsible for nominating and appointing j . . . more
  highest courts: Supreme People's Court (consists of over 340 judges including the chief justice, 13 grand justices organized into a civil committee and tribunals for civil, economic, administrative, complaint and appeal, and communication and transportation cases); note - in late December 2016, the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth circuit courts of the Supreme People's Court began operation
  judge selection and term of office: chief justice appointed by the People's National Congress (NPC); limited to 2 consecutive 5-year-terms; other justices and judges nominated by the chief justice and appointed by the Standing Committee of the NPC; term of other justices and judges determined by the NPC
  subordinate courts: Higher People's Courts; Intermediate People's Courts; District and County People's Courts; Autonomous Region People's Courts; International Commercial Courts; Special People's Courts for military, maritime, transportation, and forestry issues

  note: in late 2014, China unveiled planned judicial reforms

  Executive branch: This entry includes five subentries: chief of state; head of government; cabinet; elections/appointments; election results. Chief of state includes the name, title, and beginning date in office of the titular leader of the country who represents the state at official and ceremonial functions but may not be involved with the day-to-day activities of the government. Head of government includes the name, title of the top executive designated to manage the executive branch of the government, a . . . more
  head of government: Premier LI Keqiang (since 16 March 2013); Executive Vice Premiers HAN Zheng (since 19 March 2018), SUN Chunlan (since 19 March 2018), LIU He (since 19 March 2018), HU Chunhua (since 19 March 2018)
  cabinet: State Council appointed by National People's Congress
  elections/appointments: president and vice president indirectly elected by National People's Congress for a 5-year term (unlimited terms); election last held on 17 March 2018 (next to be held in March 2023); premier nominated by president, confirmed by National People's Congress
  election results: XI Jinping reelected president; National People's Congress vote - 2,970 (unanimously); WANG Qishan elected vice president with 2,969 votes
  President XI Jinping (since 14 March 2013); Vice President WANG Qishan (since 17 March 2018)
  Legislative branch: This entry has three subfields. The description subfield provides the legislative structure (unicameral – single house; bicameral – an upper and a lower house); formal name(s); number of member seats; types of constituencies or voting districts (single seat, multi-seat, nationwide); electoral voting system(s); and member term of office. The elections subfield includes the dates of the last election and next election. The election results subfield lists percent of vote by party/coalition an . . . more
  description: unicameral National People's Congress or Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui (maximum of 3,000 seats; members indirectly elected by municipal, regional, and provincial people's congresses, and the People's Liberation Army; members serve 5-year terms); note - in practice, only members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), its 8 allied independent parties, and CCP-approved independent candidates are elected
  elections: last held in December 2017-February 2018 (next to be held in late 2022 to early 2023)
  election results: percent of vote - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 2,238, women 742, percent of women 24.9%
  Political parties and leaders: This entry includes a listing of significant political parties, coalitions, and electoral lists as of each country's last legislative election, unless otherwise noted.
  Chinese Communist Party or CCP [XI Jinping]

  note: China has 8 nominally independent small parties controlled by the CCP

  International organization participation: This entry lists in alphabetical order by abbreviation those international organizations in which the subject country is a member or participates in some other way.
  ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, Arctic Council (observer), ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS, BRICS, CDB, CICA, EAS, FAO, FATF, G-20, G-24 (observer), G-5, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SCO, SICA (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UN Security Council (permanent), UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
  Diplomatic representation in the US: This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery address, telephone, FAX, consulate general locations, and consulate locations. The use of the annotated title Appointed Ambassador refers to a new ambassador who has presented his/her credentials to the secretary of state but not the US president. Such ambassadors fulfill all diplomatic functions except meeting with or appearing at functions attended by the president until such time as they formally present their credentials at a White Hou . . . more
  chief of mission: Ambassador CUI Tiankai (since 3 April 2013)
  chancery: 3505 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
  telephone: [1] (202) 495-2266
  FAX: [1] (202) 495-2138
  consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco
  Diplomatic representation from the US: This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations.
  chief of mission: Ambassador Terry BRANSTAD (since 12 July 2017)
  embassy: 55 An Jia Lou Lu, 100600 Beijing
  mailing address: PSC 461, Box 50, FPO AP 96521-0002
  telephone: [86] (10) 8531-3000
  FAX: [86] (10) 8531-3300
  consulate(s) general: Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang, Wuhan
  Flag description: This entry provides a written flag description produced from actual flags or the best information available at the time the entry was written. The flags of independent states are used by their dependencies unless there is an officially recognized local flag. Some disputed and other areas do not have flags.
  red with a large yellow five-pointed star and four smaller yellow five-pointed stars (arranged in a vertical arc toward the middle of the flag) in the upper hoist-side corner; the color red represents revolution, while the stars symbolize the four social classes - the working class, the peasantry, the urban petty bourgeoisie, and the national bourgeoisie (capitalists) - united under the Communist Party of China
  National symbol(s): A national symbol is a faunal, floral, or other abstract representation - or some distinctive object - that over time has come to be closely identified with a country or entity. Not all countries have national symbols; a few countries have more than one.
  dragon, giant panda; national colors: red, yellow
  National anthem: A generally patriotic musical composition - usually in the form of a song or hymn of praise - that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions, or struggles of a nation or its people. National anthems can be officially recognized as a national song by a country's constitution or by an enacted law, or simply by tradition. Although most anthems contain lyrics, some do not.
  name: "Yiyongjun Jinxingqu" (The March of the Volunteers)
  lyrics/music: TIAN Han/NIE Er

  note: adopted 1949; the anthem, though banned during the Cultural Revolution, is more commonly known as "Zhongguo Guoge" (Chinese National Song); it was originally the theme song to the 1935 Chinese movie, "Sons and Daughters in a Time of Storm"

- Economy :: China
- Economy - overview: This entry briefly describes the type of economy, including the degree of market orientation, the level of economic development, the most important natural resources, and the unique areas of specialization. It also characterizes major economic events and policy changes in the most recent 12 months and may include a statement about one or two key future macroeconomic trends.

  Since the late 1970s, China has moved from a closed, centrally planned system to a more market-oriented one that plays a major global role. China has implemented reforms in a gradualist fashion, resulting in efficiency gains that have contributed to a more than tenfold increase in GDP since 1978. Reforms began with the phaseout of collectivized agriculture, and expanded to include the gradual liberalization of prices, fiscal decentralization, increased autonomy for state enterprises, growth of the private sector, development of stock markets and a modern banking system, and opening to foreign trade and investment. China continues to pursue an industrial policy, state support of key sectors, and a restrictive investment regime. From 2013 to 2017, China had one of the fastest growing economies in the world, averaging slightly more than 7% real growth per year. Measured on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis that adjusts for price differences, China in 2017 stood as the largest economy in the world, surpassing the US in 2014 for the first time in modern history. China became the world's largest exporter in 2010, and the largest trading nation in 2013. Still, China's per capita income is below the world average.

  In July 2005 moved to an exchange rate system that references a basket of currencies. From mid-2005 to late 2008, the renminbi (RMB) appreciated more than 20% against the US dollar, but the exchange rate remained virtually pegged to the dollar from the onset of the global financial crisis until June 2010, when Beijing announced it would resume a gradual appreciation. From 2013 until early 2015, the renminbi held steady against the dollar, but it depreciated 13% from mid-2015 until end-2016 amid strong capital outflows; in 2017 the RMB resumed appreciating against the dollar – roughly 7% from end-of-2016 to end-of-2017. In 2015, the People’s Bank of China announced it would continue to carefully push for full convertibility of the renminbi, after the currency was accepted as part of the IMF’s special drawing rights basket. However, since late 2015 the Chinese Government has strengthened capital controls and oversight of overseas investments to better manage the exchange rate and maintain financial stability.

  The Chinese Government faces numerous economic challenges including: (a) reducing its high domestic savings rate and correspondingly low domestic household consumption; (b) managing its high corporate debt burden to maintain financial stability; (c) controlling off-balance sheet local government debt used to finance infrastructure stimulus; (d) facilitating higher-wage job opportunities for the aspiring middle class, including rural migrants and college graduates, while maintaining competitiveness; (e) dampening speculative investment in the real estate sector without sharply slowing the economy; (f) reducing industrial overcapacity; and (g) raising productivity growth rates through the more efficient allocation of capital and state-support for innovation. Economic development has progressed further in coastal provinces than in the interior, and by 2016 more than 169.3 million migrant workers and their dependents had relocated to urban areas to find work. One consequence of China’s population control policy known as the "one-child policy" - which was relaxed in 2016 to permit all families to have two children - is that China is now one of the most rapidly aging countries in the world. Deterioration in the environment - notably air pollution, soil erosion, and the steady fall of the water table, especially in the North - is another long-term problem. China continues to lose arable land because of erosion and urbanization. The Chinese Government is seeking to add energy production capacity from sources other than coal and oil, focusing on natural gas, nuclear, and clean energy development. In 2016, China ratified the Paris Agreement, a multilateral agreement to combat climate change, and committed to peak its carbon dioxide emissions between 2025 and 2030.

  The government's 13th Five-Year Plan, unveiled in March 2016, emphasizes the need to increase innovation and boost domestic consumption to make the economy less dependent on government investment, exports, and heavy industry. However, China has made more progress on subsidizing innovation than rebalancing the economy. Beijing has committed to giving the market a more decisive role in allocating resources, but the Chinese Government’s policies continue to favor state-owned enterprises and emphasize stability. Chinese leaders in 2010 pledged to double China’s GDP by 2020, and the 13th Five Year Plan includes annual economic growth targets of at least 6.5% through 2020 to achieve that goal. In recent years, China has renewed its support for state-owned enterprises in sectors considered important to "economic security," explicitly looking to foster globally competitive industries. Chinese leaders also have undermined some market-oriented reforms by reaffirming the "dominant" role of the state in the economy, a stance that threatens to discourage private initiative and make the economy less efficient over time. The slight acceleration in economic growth in 2017—the first such uptick since 2010—gives Beijing more latitude to pursue its economic reforms, focusing on financial sector deleveraging and its Supply-Side Structural Reform agenda, first announced in late 2015.

  GDP (purchasing power parity): This entry gives the gross domestic product (GDP) or value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year. A nation's GDP at purchasing power parity (PPP) exchange rates is the sum value of all goods and services produced in the country valued at prices prevailing in the United States in the year noted. This is the measure most economists prefer when looking at per-capita welfare and when comparing living conditions or use of resources across countries. The measur . . . more
  $23.21 trillion (2017 est.)
  $21.72 trillion (2016 est.)
  $20.35 trillion (2015 est.)

  note: data are in 2017 dollars

  country comparison to the world: 1
  GDP (official exchange rate): This entry gives the gross domestic product (GDP) or value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year. A nation's GDP at official exchange rates (OER) is the home-currency-denominated annual GDP figure divided by the bilateral average US exchange rate with that country in that year. The measure is simple to compute and gives a precise measure of the value of output. Many economists prefer this measure when gauging the economic power an economy maintains vis- . . . more
  $12.01 trillion (2017 est.) (2017 est.)

  note: because China's exchange rate is determined by fiat rather than by market forces, the official exchange rate measure of GDP is not an accurate measure of China's output; GDP at the official exchange rate substantially understates the actual level of China's output vis-a-vis the rest of the world; in China's situation, GDP at purchasing power parity provides the best measure for comparing output across countries

  GDP - real growth rate: This entry gives GDP growth on an annual basis adjusted for inflation and expressed as a percent. The growth rates are year-over-year, and not compounded.
  6.9% (2017 est.)
  6.7% (2016 est.)
  6.9% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 21
  GDP - per capita (PPP): This entry shows GDP on a purchasing power parity basis divided by population as of 1 July for the same year.
  $16,700 (2017 est.)
  $15,700 (2016 est.)
  $14,800 (2015 est.)

  note: data are in 2017 dollars

  country comparison to the world: 105
  Gross national saving: Gross national saving is derived by deducting final consumption expenditure (household plus government) from Gross national disposable income, and consists of personal saving, plus business saving (the sum of the capital consumption allowance and retained business profits), plus government saving (the excess of tax revenues over expenditures), but excludes foreign saving (the excess of imports of goods and services over exports). The figures are presented as a percent of GDP. A negative . . . more
  45.8% of GDP (2017 est.)
  45.9% of GDP (2016 est.)
  47.5% of GDP (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 6
  GDP - composition, by end use: This entry shows who does the spending in an economy: consumers, businesses, government, and foreigners. The distribution gives the percentage contribution to total GDP of household consumption, government consumption, investment in fixed capital, investment in inventories, exports of goods and services, and imports of goods and services, and will total 100 percent of GDP if the data are complete. household consumption consists of expenditures by resident households, and by nonprofit insti . . . more
  household consumption: 39.1% (2017 est.)
  government consumption: 14.5% (2017 est.)
  investment in fixed capital: 42.7% (2017 est.)
  investment in inventories: 1.7% (2017 est.)
  exports of goods and services: 20.4% (2017 est.)
  imports of goods and services: -18.4% (2017 est.)
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin: This entry shows where production takes place in an economy. The distribution gives the percentage contribution of agriculture, industry, and services to total GDP, and will total 100 percent of GDP if the data are complete. Agriculture includes farming, fishing, and forestry. Industry includes mining, manufacturing, energy production, and construction. Services cover government activities, communications, transportation, finance, and all other private economic activities that do not prod . . . more
  agriculture: 7.9% (2017 est.)
  industry: 40.5% (2017 est.)
  services: 51.6% (2017 est.)
  Agriculture - products: This entry is an ordered listing of major crops and products starting with the most important.
  world leader in gross value of agricultural output; rice, wheat, potatoes, corn, tobacco, peanuts, tea, apples, cotton, pork, mutton, eggs; fish, shrimp
  Industries: This entry provides a rank ordering of industries starting with the largest by value of annual output.
  world leader in gross value of industrial output; mining and ore processing, iron, steel, aluminum, and other metals, coal; machine building; armaments; textiles and apparel; petroleum; cement; chemicals; fertilizer; consumer products (including footwear, toys, and electronics); food processing; transportation equipment, including automobiles, railcars and locomotives, ships, aircraft; telecommunications equipment, commercial space launch vehicles, satellites
  Industrial production growth rate: This entry gives the annual percentage increase in industrial production (includes manufacturing, mining, and construction).
  6.1% (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 40
  Labor force: This entry contains the total labor force figure.
  806.7 million (2017 est.)

  note: by the end of 2012, China's working age population (15-64 years) was 1.004 billion

  country comparison to the world: 1
  Labor force - by occupation: This entry lists the percentage distribution of the labor force by sector of occupation. Agriculture includes farming, fishing, and forestry. Industry includes mining, manufacturing, energy production, and construction. Services cover government activities, communications, transportation, finance, and all other economic activities that do not produce material goods. The distribution will total less than 100 percent if the data are incomplete and may range from 99-101 percent due to rounding. more
  agriculture: 27.7%
  industry: 28.8%
  services: 43.5% (2016 est.)
  Unemployment rate: This entry contains the percent of the labor force that is without jobs. Substantial underemployment might be noted.
  3.9% (2017 est.)
  4% (2016 est.)

  note: data are for registered urban unemployment, which excludes private enterprises and migrants

  country comparison to the world: 48
  Population below poverty line: National estimates of the percentage of the population falling below the poverty line are based on surveys of sub-groups, with the results weighted by the number of people in each group. Definitions of poverty vary considerably among nations. For example, rich nations generally employ more generous standards of poverty than poor nations.
  3.3% (2016 est.)

  note: in 2011, China set a new poverty line at RMB 2300 (approximately US $400)

  Household income or consumption by percentage share: Data on household income or consumption come from household surveys, the results adjusted for household size. Nations use different standards and procedures in collecting and adjusting the data. Surveys based on income will normally show a more unequal distribution than surveys based on consumption. The quality of surveys is improving with time, yet caution is still necessary in making inter-country comparisons.
  lowest 10%: 31.4% (2012)
  highest 10%: 31.4% (2012)

  note: data are for urban households only

  Distribution of family income - Gini index: This index measures the degree of inequality in the distribution of family income in a country. The index is calculated from the Lorenz curve, in which cumulative family income is plotted against the number of families arranged from the poorest to the richest. The index is the ratio of (a) the area between a country's Lorenz curve and the 45 degree helping line to (b) the entire triangular area under the 45 degree line. The more nearly equal a country's income distribution, the closer its . . . more
  46.5 (2016 est.)
  46.2 (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 31
  Budget: This entry includes revenues, expenditures, and capital expenditures. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms.
  revenues: 2.553 trillion (2017 est.)
  expenditures: 3.008 trillion (2017 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues: This entry records total taxes and other revenues received by the national government during the time period indicated, expressed as a percent of GDP. Taxes include personal and corporate income taxes, value added taxes, excise taxes, and tariffs. Other revenues include social contributions - such as payments for social security and hospital insurance - grants, and net revenues from public enterprises. Normalizing the data, by dividing total revenues by GDP, enables easy comparisons acr . . . more
  21.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 141
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): This entry records the difference between national government revenues and expenditures, expressed as a percent of GDP. A positive (+) number indicates that revenues exceeded expenditures (a budget surplus), while a negative (-) number indicates the reverse (a budget deficit). Normalizing the data, by dividing the budget balance by GDP, enables easy comparisons across countries and indicates whether a national government saves or borrows money. Countries with high budget deficits (relat . . . more
  -3.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 152
  Public debt: This entry records the cumulative total of all government borrowings less repayments that are denominated in a country's home currency. Public debt should not be confused with external debt, which reflects the foreign currency liabilities of both the private and public sector and must be financed out of foreign exchange earnings.
  47% of GDP (2017 est.)
  44.2% of GDP (2016 est.)

  note: official data; data cover both central and local government debt, including debt officially recognized by China's National Audit Office report in 2011; data exclude policy bank bonds, Ministry of Railway debt, and China Asset Management Company debt

  country comparison to the world: 111
  Fiscal year: This entry identifies the beginning and ending months for a country's accounting period of 12 months, which often is the calendar year but which may begin in any month. All yearly references are for the calendar year (CY) unless indicated as a noncalendar fiscal year (FY).
  calendar year
  Inflation rate (consumer prices): This entry furnishes the annual percent change in consumer prices compared with the previous year's consumer prices.
  1.6% (2017 est.)
  2% (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 88
  Central bank discount rate: This entry provides the annualized interest rate a country's central bank charges commercial, depository banks for loans to meet temporary shortages of funds.
  2.25% (5 December 2017 est.)
  2.25% (31 December 2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 117
  Commercial bank prime lending rate: This entry provides a simple average of annualized interest rates commercial banks charge on new loans, denominated in the national currency, to their most credit-worthy customers.
  4.35% (31 December 2017 est.)
  4.35% (31 December 2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 160
  Stock of narrow money: This entry, also known as "M1," comprises the total quantity of currency in circulation (notes and coins) plus demand deposits denominated in the national currency held by nonbank financial institutions, state and local governments, nonfinancial public enterprises, and the private sector of the economy, measured at a specific point in time. National currency units have been converted to US dollars at the closing exchange rate for the date of the information. Because of exchange rate moveme . . . more
  $8.351 trillion (31 December 2017 est.)
  $7.001 trillion (31 December 2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 1
  Stock of broad money: This entry covers all of "Narrow money," plus the total quantity of time and savings deposits, credit union deposits, institutional money market funds, short-term repurchase agreements between the central bank and commercial deposit banks, and other large liquid assets held by nonbank financial institutions, state and local governments, nonfinancial public enterprises, and the private sector of the economy. National currency units have been converted to US dollars at the closing exchange r . . . more
  $8.351 trillion (31 December 2017 est.)
  $7.001 trillion (31 December 2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 1
  Stock of domestic credit: This entry is the total quantity of credit, denominated in the domestic currency, provided by financial institutions to the central bank, state and local governments, public non-financial corporations, and the private sector. The national currency units have been converted to US dollars at the closing exchange rate on the date of the information.
  $27.34 trillion (31 December 2017 est.)
  $23.02 trillion (31 December 2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 1
  Market value of publicly traded shares: This entry gives the value of shares issued by publicly traded companies at a price determined in the national stock markets on the final day of the period indicated. It is simply the latest price per share multiplied by the total number of outstanding shares, cumulated over all companies listed on the particular exchange.
  $7.335 trillion (December 2016 est.)
  $8.234 trillion (December 2015 est.)
  $8.518 trillion (31 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 2
  Current account balance: This entry records a country's net trade in goods and services, plus net earnings from rents, interest, profits, and dividends, and net transfer payments (such as pension funds and worker remittances) to and from the rest of the world during the period specified. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms.
  $164.9 billion (2017 est.)
  $202.2 billion (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 3
  Exports: This entry provides the total US dollar amount of merchandise exports on an f.o.b. (free on board) basis. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms.
  $2.216 trillion (2017 est.)
  $1.99 trillion (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 1
  Exports - partners: This entry provides a rank ordering of trading partners starting with the most important; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value.
  US 19%, Hong Kong 12.4%, Japan 6%, South Korea 4.5% (2017)
  Exports - commodities: This entry provides a listing of the highest-valued exported products; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value.
  electrical and other machinery, including computers and telecommunications equipment, apparel, furniture, textiles
  Imports: This entry provides the total US dollar amount of merchandise imports on a c.i.f. (cost, insurance, and freight) or f.o.b. (free on board) basis. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms.
  $1.74 trillion (2017 est.)
  $1.501 trillion (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 2
  Imports - commodities: This entry provides a listing of the highest-valued imported products; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value.
  electrical and other machinery, including integrated circuits and other computer components, oil and mineral fuels; optical and medical equipment, metal ores, motor vehicles; soybeans
  Imports - partners: This entry provides a rank ordering of trading partners starting with the most important; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value.
  South Korea 9.7%, Japan 9.1%, US 8.5%, Germany 5.3%, Australia 5.1% (2017)
  Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: This entry gives the dollar value for the stock of all financial assets that are available to the central monetary authority for use in meeting a country's balance of payments needs as of the end-date of the period specified. This category includes not only foreign currency and gold, but also a country's holdings of Special Drawing Rights in the International Monetary Fund, and its reserve position in the Fund.
  $3.236 trillion (31 December 2017 est.)
  $3.098 trillion (31 December 2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 1
  Debt - external: This entry gives the total public and private debt owed to nonresidents repayable in internationally accepted currencies, goods, or services. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms.
  $1.598 trillion (31 December 2017 est.)
  $1.429 trillion (31 December 2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 14
  Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: This entry gives the cumulative US dollar value of all investments in the home country made directly by residents - primarily companies - of other countries as of the end of the time period indicated. Direct investment excludes investment through purchase of shares.
  $1.523 trillion (31 December 2017 est.)
  $1.391 trillion (31 December 2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 7
  Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: This entry gives the cumulative US dollar value of all investments in foreign countries made directly by residents - primarily companies - of the home country, as of the end of the time period indicated. Direct investment excludes investment through purchase of shares.
  $1.383 trillion (31 December 2017 est.)
  $1.227 trillion (31 December 2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 10
  Exchange rates: This entry provides the average annual price of a country's monetary unit for the time period specified, expressed in units of local currency per US dollar, as determined by international market forces or by official fiat. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 4217 alphabetic currency code for the national medium of exchange is presented in parenthesis. Closing daily exchange rates are not presented in The World Factbook, but are used to convert stock values - e.g., the . . . more
  Renminbi yuan (RMB) per US dollar -
  7.76 (2017 est.)
  6.6446 (2016 est.)
  6.2275 (2015 est.)
  6.1434 (2014 est.)
  6.1958 (2013 est.)
- Energy :: China
- Electricity access: This entry provides information on access to electricity. Electrification data – collected from industry reports, national surveys, and international sources – consists of four subfields. Population without electricity provides an estimate of the number of citizens that do not have access to electricity. Electrification – total population is the percent of a country’s total population with access to electricity, electrification – urban areas is the percent of a country’s urban population w . . . more
  population without electricity: 1.2 million (2016)
  electrification - total population: 99.9% (2016)
  electrification - urban areas: 100% (2016)
  electrification - rural areas: 99.8% (2016)
  Electricity - production: This entry is the annual electricity generated expressed in kilowatt-hours. The discrepancy between the amount of electricity generated and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is accounted for as loss in transmission and distribution.
  5.883 trillion kWh (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 1
  Electricity - consumption: This entry consists of total electricity generated annually plus imports and minus exports, expressed in kilowatt-hours. The discrepancy between the amount of electricity generated and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is accounted for as loss in transmission and distribution.
  5.564 trillion kWh (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 1
  Electricity - exports: This entry is the total exported electricity in kilowatt-hours.
  18.91 billion kWh (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 10
  Electricity - imports: This entry is the total imported electricity in kilowatt-hours.
  6.185 billion kWh (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 33
  Electricity - installed generating capacity: This entry is the total capacity of currently installed generators, expressed in kilowatts (kW), to produce electricity. A 10-kilowatt (kW) generator will produce 10 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, if it runs continuously for one hour.
  1.653 billion kW (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 1
  Electricity - from fossil fuels: This entry measures the capacity of plants that generate electricity by burning fossil fuels (such as coal, petroleum products, and natural gas), expressed as a share of the country's total generating capacity.
  62% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 124
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels: This entry measures the capacity of plants that generate electricity through radioactive decay of nuclear fuel, expressed as a share of the country's total generating capacity.
  2% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 25
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants: This entry measures the capacity of plants that generate electricity by water-driven turbines, expressed as a share of the country's total generating capacity.
  18% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 93
  Electricity - from other renewable sources: This entry measures the capacity of plants that generate electricity by using renewable energy sources other than hydroelectric (including, for example, wind, waves, solar, and geothermal), expressed as a share of the country's total generating capacity.
  18% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 47
  Crude oil - production: This entry is the total amount of crude oil produced, in barrels per day (bbl/day).
  3.838 million bbl/day (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 7
  Crude oil - exports: This entry is the total amount of crude oil exported, in barrels per day (bbl/day).
  57,310 bbl/day (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 40
  Crude oil - imports: This entry is the total amount of crude oil imported, in barrels per day (bbl/day).
  6.71 million bbl/day (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 2
  Crude oil - proved reserves: This entry is the stock of proved reserves of crude oil, in barrels (bbl). Proved reserves are those quantities of petroleum which, by analysis of geological and engineering data, can be estimated with a high degree of confidence to be commercially recoverable from a given date forward, from known reservoirs and under current economic conditions.
  25.63 billion bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 12
  Refined petroleum products - production: This entry is the country's total output of refined petroleum products, in barrels per day (bbl/day). The discrepancy between the amount of refined petroleum products produced and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is due to the omission of stock changes, refinery gains, and other complicating factors.
  11.51 million bbl/day (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 2
  Refined petroleum products - consumption: This entry is the country's total consumption of refined petroleum products, in barrels per day (bbl/day). The discrepancy between the amount of refined petroleum products produced and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is due to the omission of stock changes, refinery gains, and other complicating factors.
  12.47 million bbl/day (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 2
  Refined petroleum products - exports: This entry is the country's total exports of refined petroleum products, in barrels per day (bbl/day).
  848,400 bbl/day (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 9
  Refined petroleum products - imports: This entry is the country's total imports of refined petroleum products, in barrels per day (bbl/day).
  1.16 million bbl/day (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 4
  Natural gas - production: This entry is the total natural gas produced in cubic meters (cu m). The discrepancy between the amount of natural gas produced and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is due to the omission of stock changes and other complicating factors.
  145.9 billion cu m (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 6
  Natural gas - consumption: This entry is the total natural gas consumed in cubic meters (cu m). The discrepancy between the amount of natural gas produced and/or imported and the amount consumed and/or exported is due to the omission of stock changes and other complicating factors.
  238.6 billion cu m (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 3
  Natural gas - exports: This entry is the total natural gas exported in cubic meters (cu m).
  3.37 billion cu m (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 35
  Natural gas - imports: This entry is the total natural gas imported in cubic meters (cu m).
  97.63 billion cu m (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 3
  Natural gas - proved reserves: This entry is the stock of proved reserves of natural gas in cubic meters (cu m). Proved reserves are those quantities of natural gas, which, by analysis of geological and engineering data, can be estimated with a high degree of confidence to be commercially recoverable from a given date forward, from known reservoirs and under current economic conditions.
  5.44 trillion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 9
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy: This entry is the total amount of carbon dioxide, measured in metric tons, released by burning fossil fuels in the process of producing and consuming energy.
  11.67 billion Mt (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 1
- Communications :: China
- Telephones - fixed lines: This entry gives the total number of fixed telephone lines in use, as well as the number of subscriptions per 100 inhabitants.
  total subscriptions: 193.762 million (2017 est.)
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14 (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 1
  Telephones - mobile cellular: This entry gives the total number of mobile cellular telephone subscribers, as well as the number of subscriptions per 100 inhabitants. Note that because of the ubiquity of mobile phone use in developed countries, the number of subscriptions per 100 inhabitants can exceed 100.
  total subscriptions: 1,474,097,000 (2017 est.)
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 107 (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 1
  Telephone system: This entry includes a brief general assessment of the system with details on the domestic and international components. The following terms and abbreviations are used throughout the entry: Arabsat - Arab Satellite Communications Organization (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia). Autodin - Automatic Digital Network (US Department of Defense). CB - citizen's band mobile radio communications. Cellular telephone system - the telephones in this system are radio transceivers, with each instrument having its o . . . more
  general assessment: China has become the largest Internet market in the world, with the majority of users accessing the Internet through mobile devices; moderate growth is predicted over the next five years in the fixed broadband segment; one of the biggest drivers of commercial growth is its increasing urbanisation rate as rural residents move to cities; 80% of China's Internet users access the Internet through mobile devices; by 2015 China will be the world's largest 5G market (2017)
  domestic: 14 per 100 fixed line and 107 per 100 moblie-cellular; a domestic satellite system with several earth stations is in place in 2018 (2017)
  international: country code - 86; a number of submarine cables provide connectivity to Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the US; satellite earth stations - 7 (5 Intelsat - 4 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean; 1 Intersputnik - Indian Ocean region; and 1 Inmarsat - Pacific and Indian Ocean regions) (2017)
  Broadcast media: This entry provides information on the approximate number of public and private TV and radio stations in a country, as well as basic information on the availability of satellite and cable TV services.
  all broadcast media are owned by, or affiliated with, the Communist Party of China or a government agency; no privately owned TV or radio stations; state-run Chinese Central TV, provincial, and municipal stations offer more than 2,000 channels; the Central Propaganda Department sends directives to all domestic media outlets to guide its reporting with the government maintaining authority to approve all programming; foreign-made TV programs must be approved prior to broadcast; increasingly, Chinese turn to online and satellite television to access Chinese and international films and television shows (2017)
  Internet country code: This entry includes the two-letter codes maintained by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in the ISO 3166 Alpha-2 list and used by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) to establish country-coded top-level domains (ccTLDs).
  .cn
  Internet users: This entry gives the total number of individuals within a country who can access the Internet at home, via any device type (computer or mobile) and connection. The percent of population with Internet access (i.e., the penetration rate) helps gauge how widespread Internet use is within a country. Statistics vary from country to country and may include users who access the Internet at least several times a week to those who access it only once within a period of several months.
  total: 730,723,960 (July 2016 est.)
  percent of population: 53.2% (July 2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 1
  Broadband - fixed subscriptions: This entry gives the total number of fixed-broadband subscriptions, as well as the number of subscriptions per 100 inhabitants. Fixed broadband is a physical wired connection to the Internet (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber) at speeds equal to or greater than 256 kilobits/second (256 kbit/s).
  total: 378.54 million (2017 est.)
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 27 (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 1
- Transportation :: China
- National air transport system: This entry includes four subfields describing the air transport system of a given country in terms of both structure and performance. The first subfield, number of registered air carriers, indicates the total number of air carriers registered with the country’s national aviation authority and issued an air operator certificate as required by the Convention on International Civil Aviation. The second subfield, inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers, lists the total number . . . more
  number of registered air carriers: 56 (2015)
  inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 2,890 (2015)
  annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 436,183,969 (2015)
  annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 19.806 billion mt-km (2015)
  Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: This entry provides the one- or two-character alphanumeric code indicating the nationality of civil aircraft. Article 20 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention), signed in 1944, requires that all aircraft engaged in international air navigation bear appropriate nationality marks. The aircraft registration number consists of two parts: a prefix consisting of a one- or two-character alphanumeric code indicating nationality and a registration suffix of one to fi . . . more
  B (2016)
  Airports: This entry gives the total number of airports or airfields recognizable from the air. The runway(s) may be paved (concrete or asphalt surfaces) or unpaved (grass, earth, sand, or gravel surfaces) and may include closed or abandoned installations. Airports or airfields that are no longer recognizable (overgrown, no facilities, etc.) are not included. Note that not all airports have accommodations for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control.
  507 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 14
  Airports - with paved runways: This entry gives the total number of airports with paved runways (concrete or asphalt surfaces) by length. For airports with more than one runway, only the longest runway is included according to the following five groups - (1) over 3,047 m (over 10,000 ft), (2) 2,438 to 3,047 m (8,000 to 10,000 ft), (3) 1,524 to 2,437 m (5,000 to 8,000 ft), (4) 914 to 1,523 m (3,000 to 5,000 ft), and (5) under 914 m (under 3,000 ft). Only airports with usable runways are included in this listing. Not all . . . more
  total: 463 (2017)
  over 3,047 m: 71 (2017)
  2,438 to 3,047 m: 158 (2017)
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 123 (2017)
  914 to 1,523 m: 25 (2017)
  under 914 m: 86 (2017)
  Airports - with unpaved runways: This entry gives the total number of airports with unpaved runways (grass, dirt, sand, or gravel surfaces) by length. For airports with more than one runway, only the longest runway is included according to the following five groups - (1) over 3,047 m (over 10,000 ft), (2) 2,438 to 3,047 m (8,000 to 10,000 ft), (3) 1,524 to 2,437 m (5,000 to 8,000 ft), (4) 914 to 1,523 m (3,000 to 5,000 ft), and (5) under 914 m (under 3,000 ft). Only airports with usable runways are included in this listin . . . more
  total: 44 (2013)
  over 3,047 m: 4 (2013)
  2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 (2013)
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 (2013)
  914 to 1,523 m: 9 (2013)
  under 914 m: 18 (2013)
  Heliports: This entry gives the total number of heliports with hard-surface runways, helipads, or landing areas that support routine sustained helicopter operations exclusively and have support facilities including one or more of the following facilities: lighting, fuel, passenger handling, or maintenance. It includes former airports used exclusively for helicopter operations but excludes heliports limited to day operations and natural clearings that could support helicopter landings and takeoffs.
  47 (2013)
  Pipelines: This entry gives the lengths and types of pipelines for transporting products like natural gas, crude oil, or petroleum products.
  70000 km gas, 22900 km crude oil, 25500 km refined petroleum products, 710206 km water (2015)
  Railways: This entry states the total route length of the railway network and of its component parts by gauge, which is the measure of the distance between the inner sides of the load-bearing rails. The four typical types of gauges are: broad, standard, narrow, and dual. Other gauges are listed under note. Some 60% of the world's railways use the standard gauge of 1.4 m (4.7 ft). Gauges vary by country and sometimes within countries. The choice of gauge during initial construction was mainly in resp . . . more
  total: 124,000 km (2017)
  standard gauge: 124,000 km 1.435-m gauge (80,000 km electrified); 102,000 traditional, 22,000 high-speed (2017)
  country comparison to the world: 2
  Roadways: This entry gives the total length of the road network and includes the length of the paved and unpaved portions.
  total: 4,577,300 km (2015)
  paved: 4,046,300 km (includes 123,500 km of expressways) (2015)
  unpaved: 531,000 km (2015)
  country comparison to the world: 3
  Waterways: This entry gives the total length of navigable rivers, canals, and other inland bodies of water.
  110,000 km (navigable waterways) (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 1
  Merchant marine: Merchant marine may be defined as all ships engaged in the carriage of goods; or all commercial vessels (as opposed to all nonmilitary ships), which excludes tugs, fishing vessels, offshore oil rigs, etc. This entry contains information in four fields - total, ships by type, foreign-owned, and registered in other countries. Total includes the number of ships (1,000 GRT or over), total DWT for those ships, and total GRT for those ships. DWT or dead weight tonnage is the total weight of ca . . . more
  total: 4,287 (2017)
  by type: bulk carrier 1069, container ship 198, general cargo 697, oil tanker 480, other 1843 (2017)
  country comparison to the world: 4
  Ports and terminals: This entry lists major ports and terminals primarily on the basis of the amount of cargo tonnage shipped through the facilities on an annual basis. In some instances, the number of containers handled or ship visits were also considered. Most ports service multiple classes of vessels including bulk carriers (dry and liquid), break bulk cargoes (goods loaded individually in bags, boxes, crates, or drums; sometimes palletized), containers, roll-on/roll-off, and passenger ships. The listing le . . . more
  major seaport(s): Dalian, Ningbo, Qingdao, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tianjin
  container port(s) (TEUs): Dalian (9,614,000), Guangzhou (18,857,700), Ningbo (21,560,000), Qingdao (18,010,000), Shanghai (37,133,000), Shenzhen (23,979,300), Tianjin (14,490,000) (2016)
  LNG terminal(s) (import): Fujian, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Shandong, Shanghai, Tangshan, Zhejiang
  river port(s): Guangzhou (Pearl)
  Transportation - note: This entry includes miscellaneous transportation information of significance not included elsewhere.
  seven of the world’s ten largest container ports are in China
- Military and Security :: China
- Military expenditures: This entry gives spending on defense programs for the most recent year available as a percent of gross domestic product (GDP); the GDP is calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP). For countries with no military forces, this figure can include expenditures on public security and police.
  2% of GDP (2017)
  1.9% of GDP (2016)
  1.95% of GDP (2015)
  1.9% of GDP (2014)
  1.85% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 50
  Military branches: This entry lists the service branches subordinate to defense ministries or the equivalent (typically ground, naval, air, and marine forces).
  People's Liberation Army (PLA): Army, Navy (PLAN, includes marines and naval aviation), Air Force (PLAAF, includes airborne forces), Rocket Force (strategic missile force), and Strategic Support Force (space and cyber forces); People's Armed Police (PAP); PLA Reserve Force (2018)
  Military service age and obligation: This entry gives the required ages for voluntary or conscript military service and the length of service obligation.
  18-22 years of age for selective compulsory military service, with a 2-year service obligation; no minimum age for voluntary service (all officers are volunteers); 18-19 years of age for women high school graduates who meet requirements for specific military jobs (2018)
- Transnational Issues :: China
- Disputes - international: This entry includes a wide variety of situations that range from traditional bilateral boundary disputes to unilateral claims of one sort or another. Information regarding disputes over international terrestrial and maritime boundaries has been reviewed by the US Department of State. References to other situations involving borders or frontiers may also be included, such as resource disputes, geopolitical questions, or irredentist issues; however, inclusion does not necessarily constitute . . . more

  continuing talks and confidence-building measures work toward reducing tensions over Kashmir that nonetheless remains militarized with portions under the de facto administration of China (Aksai Chin), India (Jammu and Kashmir), and Pakistan (Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas)India does not recognize Pakistan's ceding historic Kashmir lands to China in 1964China and India continue their security and foreign policy dialogue started in 2005 related to the dispute over most of their rugged, militarized boundary, regional nuclear proliferation, and other mattersChina claims most of India's Arunachal Pradesh to the base of the Himalayaslacking any treaty describing the boundary, Bhutan and China continue negotiations to establish a common boundary alignment to resolve territorial disputes arising from substantial cartographic discrepancies, the most contentious of which lie in Bhutan's west along China's Chumbi salientBurmese forces attempting to dig in to the largely autonomous Shan State to rout local militias tied to the drug trade, prompts local residents to periodically flee into neighboring Yunnan Province in ChinaChinese maps show an international boundary symbol off the coasts of the littoral states of the South China Seas, where China has interrupted Vietnamese hydrocarbon explorationChina asserts sovereignty over Scarborough Reef along with the Philippines and Taiwan, and over the Spratly Islands together with Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Bruneithe 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea eased tensions in the Spratlys but is not the legally binding code of conduct sought by some partiesVietnam and China continue to expand construction of facilities in the Spratlys and in March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord on marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands;China and ASEAN began formal South China Sea Code of Conduct negotiations in March 2018, but it remains unclear the timeline for a final agreement and how it would be enforced;

  China occupies some of the Paracel Islands also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwanthe Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands are also claimed by China and Taiwancertain islands in the Yalu and Tumen Rivers are in dispute with North KoreaNorth Korea and China seek to stem illegal migration to China by North Koreans, fleeing privations and oppression, by building a fence along portions of the border and imprisoning North Koreans deported by ChinaChina and Russia have demarcated the once disputed islands at the Amur and Ussuri confluence and in the Argun River in accordance with their 2004 AgreementChina and Tajikistan have begun demarcating the revised boundary agreed to in the delimitation of 2002the decade-long demarcation of the China-Vietnam land boundary was completed in 2009citing environmental, cultural, and social concerns, China has reconsidered construction of 13 dams on the Salween River, but, as of 2016, energy-starved Burma, with backing from Thailand, remained intent on building seven hydro-electric dams downstream despite regional and international protests

  Chinese and Hong Kong authorities met in March 2008 to resolve ownership and use of lands recovered in Shenzhen River channelization, including 96-hectare Lok Ma Chau Loop

  Refugees and internally displaced persons: This entry includes those persons residing in a country as refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), or stateless persons. Each country's refugee entry includes only countries of origin that are the source of refugee populations of 5,000 or more. The definition of a refugee according to a UN Convention is "a person who is outside his/her country of nationality or habitual residence; has a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a . . . more
  refugees (country of origin): 321,502 (Vietnam), undetermined (North Korea) (2017)
  IDPs: undetermined (2014)
  Trafficking in persons: Trafficking in persons is modern-day slavery, involving victims who are forced, defrauded, or coerced into labor or sexual exploitation. The International Labor Organization (ILO), the UN agency charged with addressing labor standards, employment, and social protection issues, estimated in 2011 that 20.9 million people worldwide were victims of forced labor, bonded labor, forced child labor, sexual servitude, and involuntary servitude. Human trafficking is a multi-dimensional threat, depri . . . more
  current situation: China is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor; Chinese adults and children are forced into prostitution and various forms of forced labor, including begging and working in brick kilns, coal mines, and factories; women and children are recruited from rural areas and taken to urban centers for sexual exploitation, often lured by criminal syndicates or gangs with fraudulent job offers; state-sponsored forced labor, where detainees work for up to four years often with no remuneration, continues to be a serious concern; Chinese men, women, and children also may be subjected to conditions of sex trafficking and forced labor worldwide, particularly in overseas Chinese communities; women and children are trafficked to China from neighboring countries, as well as Africa and the Americas, for forced labor and prostitution
  tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - China does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; official data for 2014 states that 194 alleged traffickers were arrested and at least 35 were convicted, but the government’s conflation of human trafficking with other crimes makes it difficult to assess law enforcement efforts to investigate and to prosecute trafficking offenses according to international law; despite reports of complicity, no government officials were investigated, prosecuted, or convicted for their roles in trafficking offenses; authorities did not adequately protect victims and did not provide the data needed to ascertain the number of victims identified or assisted or the services provided; the National People’s Congress ratified a decision to abolish "reform through labor" in 2013, but some continued to operate as state-sponsored drug detention or "custody and education" centers that force inmates to perform manual labor; some North Korean refugees continued to be forcibly repatriated as illegal economic migrants, despite reports that some were trafficking victims (2015)
  Illicit drugs: This entry gives information on the five categories of illicit drugs - narcotics, stimulants, depressants (sedatives), hallucinogens, and cannabis. These categories include many drugs legally produced and prescribed by doctors as well as those illegally produced and sold outside of medical channels. Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) is the common hemp plant, which provides hallucinogens with some sedative properties, and includes marijuana (pot, Acapulco gold, grass, reefer), tetrahydroca . . . more
  major transshipment point for heroin produced in the Golden Triangle region of Southeast Asia; growing domestic consumption of synthetic drugs, and heroin from Southeast and Southwest Asia; source country for methamphetamine and heroin chemical precursors, despite new regulations on its large chemical industry; more people believed to be convicted and executed for drug offences than anywhere else in the world, according to NGOs

GO TOP