PRCS

The People's Republic of China (PRC) is a sovereign state in East Asia; the plural PRCs is rarely used. It is the most populous country with over 1.4 billion people and a land area of about 9.6 million square kilometers. The capital is Beijing. It borders 14 nations and has a long coastline along the Pacific.

The PRC is a unitary socialist republic led by the Communist Party of China (CPC). The National People's Congress is the supreme state organ; the president is the ceremonial head of state; the prime minister heads the State Council. In practice, political power is centralized in the CPC's leadership, with the General Secretary acting as the top official.

The PRC was founded in 1949 following the Chinese Civil War. Economic reforms began in 1978 under Deng Xiaoping, transitioning from a planned economy to a mixed-socialist market economy. Since the late 20th century, the PRC has pursued rapid economic growth and expanded international engagement.

The PRC consists of 23 provinces, five autonomous regions, four direct-controlled municipalities (Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing), and two Special Administrative Regions (Hong Kong and Macau). The capital is Beijing; major cities include Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Chengdu.

The PRC has the second-largest nominal GDP globally and a major manufacturing and technology hub. It is a leading exporter and a global consumer market. The society is diverse, with multiple ethnic groups and rapid urbanization. Challenges include environmental concerns, aging demographics, and regional disparities.

The PRC is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a member of the WTO. It has pursued initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative. The PRC regards Taiwan as a province, and cross-strait relations remain a central issue in its foreign policy.