China

The People's Republic of China (PRC) is a sovereign state in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with about 1.4 billion people, and the fourth largest by land area, covering roughly 9.6 million square kilometers. The capital is Beijing, and Shanghai is its largest city; Hong Kong and Macau are Special Administrative Regions.

China is a unitary one-party state led by the Communist Party of China. The party sets policy through the Central Committee and Politburo, with the president as head of state and the premier as head of government. The National People’s Congress is the national legislature, though real power is concentrated within the party.

Geographically, China borders 14 countries and has a long eastern coastline on the Pacific. Its terrain ranges from the Tibetan Plateau and western deserts to fertile river basins in the east; the Yangtze and Yellow rivers are major waterways. Since reforms begun in 1978, China has developed a large economy and is among the world’s largest by nominal GDP, with strong manufacturing, technology, and export sectors.

China’s history includes ancient civilizations and dynasties, with notable periods such as the Qin, Han, Tang, and Qing. The modern state was established in 1949, and economic reforms starting in 1978 spurred rapid growth. Chinese culture encompasses philosophy, literature, art, cuisine, and festivals such as the Spring Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival. Mandarin Chinese is the official language, with many regional languages.

Internationally, China is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and participates in institutions such as the WTO and G20. It seeks broad influence in regional and global affairs while addressing environmental challenges and expanding investment in energy and infrastructure through initiatives like the Belt and Road.