What is China: Definition and 147 Discussions

China (Chinese: 中国; pinyin: Zhōngguó; lit. 'Central State; Middle Kingdom'), officially the People's Republic of China (Chinese: 中华人民共和国; pinyin: Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó; PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of more than 1.4 billion. It borders 14 countries, the second most of any country in the world, after Russia. Covering an area of approximately 9.6 million square kilometers (3.7 million mi2), it is the world's third or fourth-largest country.
The country is officially divided into 23 provinces, five autonomous regions, and four direct-controlled municipalities of Beijing (the capital city), Tianjin, Shanghai (the largest city), and Chongqing, as well as two special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau.
China emerged as one of the world's first civilizations, in the fertile basin of the Yellow River in the North China Plain. China was one of the world's foremost economic powers for most of the two millennia from the 1st until the 19th century. For millennia, China's political system was based on absolute hereditary monarchies, or dynasties, beginning with the Xia dynasty in 21st century BCE. Since then, China has expanded, fractured, and re-unified numerous times. In the 3rd century BCE, the Qin reunited core China and established the first Chinese empire. The succeeding Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE) saw some of the most advanced technology at that time, including papermaking and the compass, along with agricultural and medical improvements. The invention of gunpowder and movable type in the Tang dynasty (618–907) and Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127) completed the Four Great Inventions. Tang culture spread widely in Asia, as the new Silk Route brought traders to as far as Mesopotamia and the Horn of Africa. The Qing Empire, China's last dynasty, which formed the territorial basis for modern China suffered heavy losses to foreign imperialism. The Chinese monarchy collapsed in 1912 with the 1911 Revolution, when the Republic of China (ROC) replaced the Qing dynasty. China was invaded by the Empire of Japan during World War II. The Chinese Civil War resulted in a division of territory in 1949 when the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) led by Mao Zedong established the People's Republic of China on mainland China while the Kuomintang-led ROC government retreated to the island of Taiwan. Both the PRC and the ROC currently claim to be the sole legitimate government of China, resulting in an ongoing dispute even after the United Nations recognized the PRC as the government to represent China at all UN conferences in 1971.
China is nominally a unitary one-party socialist republic. The country is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and a founding member of several multilateral and regional cooperation organizations such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the Silk Road Fund, the New Development Bank, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and is a member of the BRICS, the G8+5, the G20, the APEC, and the East Asia Summit. It ranks among the lowest in international measurements of civil liberties, government transparency, freedom of the press, freedom of religion and ethnic minorities. Chinese authorities have been criticized by political dissidents and human rights activists for widespread human rights abuses, including political repression, mass censorship, mass surveillance of their citizens and violent suppression of protests.
After economic reforms in 1978, and its entry into the World Trade Organization in 2001, China's economy became the second-largest country by nominal GDP in 2010 and grew to the largest in the world by PPP in 2014. China is the world's fastest-growing major economy, the second-wealthiest nation in the world, and the world's largest manufacturer and exporter. The nation has the world's largest standing army — the People's Liberation Army — the second-largest defense budget and is a recognized nuclear-weapons state. China has been characterized as a potential superpower due to its large economy and powerful military.

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  1. janetjie

    Hello!

    Hello, I'm Janet from China. I'm new here. I'm glad to join this community.:smile:
  2. Astronuc

    M 5.9 - 37 km WNW of Linxia Chengguanzhen, China

    M 5.9 - 37 km WNW of Linxia Chengguanzhen, China https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us7000ljvg/region-info 2023-12-18 15:59:30 (UTC) 35.743°N 102.827°E 10.0 km depth https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us7000ljvg/executive News agencies report 100 or more people...
  3. S

    Advertised as "gold leaf" - but what material is it really?

    I've been importing this material from China for years. However, shipping is getting more and more expensive, slow and unreliable. It would be a great to have a local manufacturer/supplier but I don't even know what it is. It is advertised as "imitation gold leaf" but... Imitation gold leaf from...
  4. D

    Will China be the first country to return to the moon?

    I think so. What do you think?
  5. russ_watters

    End of "Zero COVID" in China

    It looks like backlash against China's ZERO COVID policy is finally causing its end. The upside is they succeeded in delaying mass infection until (presumably) everyone was vaccinated. The downside is now they're getting the organic mass infections they'd been largely able to prevent until...
  6. russ_watters

    Boeing China Eastern 737 Crash: What Caused the Unusual Cruise Phase Tragedy?

    On Monday, 3/21 a China Eastern Airlines 737-800 crashed, killing 132 people. What is unusual about this crash is that it happened from the cruise phase of flight. This is usually the safest phase, as the plane is flying straight and level most of the time and nothing is changing so there...
  7. Astronuc

    Yilan crater in Northeast China - 1.15-mile (1.85 km) wide

    https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/satellite-spots-massive-asteroid-impact-crater-in-china/ar-AAUqr3C
  8. berkeman

    COVID Options for Travel to China with Chinese-Made Vaccines

    I'm in a tough spot right now, and would appreciate learning about my options. I'm fully vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine, and reasonably good for travel options to most western countries for business trips now (modulo the Delta variant surge and its restrictions). I really need to travel...
  9. B

    COVID China should give reparations to the world for spreading Corona virus

    I firmly believe China should give financial reparations to the world for creating and spreading Corona virus.
  10. YoungPhysicist

    Insights An Introduction to the Traditional Abacus of China and Japan - Comments

    Greg Bernhardt submitted a new blog post An Introduction to the Traditional Abacus of China and Japan Continue reading the Original Blog Post.
  11. Auto-Didact

    News 'Chinese Navy ship seen carrying railgun'

    China says its navy is taking the lead in game-changing electromagnetic railguns Rest of the article is on the site. The news is available on multiple news outlets, including pictures on Twitter. I recall the US Navy was developing a railgun a few years ago, while Russia was still in the R&D...
  12. JTC

    Contributions to Dynamics - China

    Hello, To ensconce this question properly, we know that some of the major contributions to the discipline of rigid body and classical particle dynamics came from: Newton, Euler, Hamilton, Lagrange and so on... (no need to suggest other western names right now - I am aware of them). However I...
  13. Grands

    Toxic toys made in China, what should we do?

    Hi guys. I've recently seen a documentary that spoke about how toxic are toys which are made in China and sold in local shop. It' a great problem because they contains an amount of plastics that do not respect European standard ( in my case) but I suppose also USA standards. They have a terrible...
  14. SquidwardTentacles

    Schools Comparing the good and bad universities around the world.

    It goes without question that the top schools of most countries are pretty good, but how do we compare the average and bad universities from different countries? I often hear (especially on this forum) that bad and average universities in the US (and the west in general) are usually still...
  15. 1oldman2

    Medical China begins gene editing trial

    I came across this article, thought it was worth mentioning. http://www.nature.com/news/crispr-gene-editing-tested-in-a-person-for-the-first-time-1.20988 A Chinese group has become the first to inject a person with cells that contain genes edited using the revolutionary CRISPR-Cas9 technique...
  16. anorlunda

    China: Boldly Going Where No Grid Has Gone Before

    Here is an interesting item I would like to share. It seems that China has drastically pushed the boundaries of power transmission grid operations. They boldly go where no man has gone before. :wink: How and why? The combination of geography and demographics leads them to place large...
  17. A

    I China launches X-ray Pulsar NAVigation satellite

    China launched five small satellites Thursday, including the X-ray Pulsar Navigation satellite that eventually could help spacecraft headed for deep space navigate, the latest piece of China’s ambitious space program, NASA Spaceflight.com reported. The X-ray pulsar, developed by Aerospace...
  18. A

    B China launches quantum-enabled satellite Micius

    China has successfully launched the world's first quantum-enabled satellite, state media said. It was carried on a rocket which blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in China's north west early on Tuesday. The satellite is named after the ancient Chinese scientist and...
  19. Astronuc

    6.7 Mag Earthquake near Makurazaki, Japan (E. China Sea)

    Strong 7.0-magnitude quake hits off Japan coast: USGS http://news.yahoo.com/strong-7-0-magnitude-quake-hits-off-japan-211816995.html USGS apparently reports 6.7 Mag http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us10003y71#general_summary M6.7 - 144km WSW of Makurazaki, Japan 2015-11-13...
  20. Astronuc

    News Historic visit by presidents of Taiwan and China

    Taiwan, Chinese presidents to meet for first time since '49 http://news.yahoo.com/taiwan-chinese-presidents-meet-first-time-since-49-062130105.html [Broken] Let's see where this goes. Good time for China to recognize Taiwan as a separate nation - a situation like Great Britain and the US, or...
  21. D

    Is China a good place for research?

    Hi everyone I'm a Chinese American and I love doing science. I've been learning Chinese to reconnect with my original culture but I'm wondering if Mainland China is also a good place to do scientific research right now too. Specifically I'm interested in the field of bio-energy and stuff.
  22. P

    China aims to be first to land probe on moon's far side

    China aims to be first to land probe on moon's far side China's increasingly ambitious space program plans to attempt the first-ever landing of a lunar probe on the moon's far side, a leading engineer said. Continue reading...
  23. nsaspook

    News Large explosion in Tianjin China

    http://rammb.cira.colostate.edu/templates/loop_directory.asp?data_folder=dev/lindsey/loops/12aug15_ahi_band7&image_width=1020&image_height=720 http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/13/asia/china-tianjin-explosions/ That was BIG.
  24. Astronuc

    News China hacking US government emails

    Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/china-reading-top-obama-administration-emails-since-2010-2015-8#ixzz3iemYeAUS China Read Emails of Top U.S. Officials http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/china-read-emails-top-us-officials-n406046
  25. DEvens

    Hong Kong or south China jobs?

    I'm a nuclear physicist. 25 years experience in the Canadian nuclear power industry. I met somebody who lives in Shenzhen, China. For those not geographically oriented, that is the city immediately to the north of Hong Kong. Problem is, I live in Canada. And I do not speak any sort of Chinese...
  26. T

    What are the latest developments in mechanics and solid physics?

    hi all! I am Teng from China, a PhD candidate interested in mechanics and solid physics.
  27. Astronuc

    News When will China overtake the U.S, economically? - 2

    It was asked a few years ago - When will China overtake the U.S, economically? https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/when-will-china-overtake-the-u-s-economically.528114/ Well by one measure - now. http://finance.yahoo.com/news/official-america-now-no-2-150936444.html [Broken] As was pointed...
  28. M

    A question on China and Taiwan

    Why didn't Chinese comminists attacked and occupied the Formoza island after they had conquered the China mainland? Formal name of Taiwan is Republic of China, but it is strange that everbody understand big China from Republic of China. If formal name Republic of China is Taiwan informal? I know...
  29. interhacker

    Aeronautical Engineering in China

    I just received an acceptance letter from the Nanjing University of Aeronatics and Astronautics in China. They accepted me for their Bachelors in Aeronautical Engineering programme which is taught in English. However, I neither know anything about China nor the university. My first preference...
  30. K

    Why is the equation in China IL equal to anarchy?

    I'm not sure how many of you watch a show on Adult Swim called China IL but I have a question about it. The school wins the math competition and to celebrate they go out and destroy the town. Towards the end of the video someone spray paints an equation that is equal to anarchy and I'm not...
  31. O

    Are research papers published by universities in china available to us

    or vice versa? does the language barrier impede the exchange of knowledge?
  32. S

    News What are Your Thoughts on the Rise of China?

    When we think about first world nations and world leaders in politics, ethics, economics, and science, we think of Western nations that are built on democracy, human rights, and freedom. But now we are facing a new situation where the prospective new world leader will spread its influence while...
  33. DiracPool

    News China's Military Drone Program: What Now?

    Is this what the world really needs right now. China with thousands of military drones? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/03/china-drone-program_n_3207392.html [Broken]
  34. Evo

    News Quake in China may have killed scores

    Another earthquake. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57580556/quake-in-china-may-have-killed-scores/
  35. G

    Can genetics and neuroscience unlock the secrets of intelligence in China?

    Seems to be a real thing. http://blog.chron.com/sciguy/2011/07/china-at-work-on-finding-the-iq-genes-and-then-what/ This research is certainly interesting. I think it's about time someone started doing this kind of work. Personally, I think finding the "ingredients" for intelligence is...
  36. F

    China wants to raise the IQ of the next generation between 5-15 points

    I find it surprising that China has found a way to measure intelligence! Let's kill all diversity and raise a new generation that are good at taking IQ tests.
  37. rootX

    News The new leader of China, Xi Jinping

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-20322288 No surprise there. But, Xi Jinping doesn't seem to have as much power as the last leader.
  38. G

    Foreign exchange to China?

    I'm thinking of taking one of my semesters, autumn 2013, in China. I would need to take something equivalent to a statistical physics course while there, but most universities with a physics degree should have that. I'm a Norwegian and will be at the end of a bachelor if that has any relevance...
  39. T

    News Why is European Union so irrational in regards to trade with China?

    The trade balance between EU and China is -156.3€ billions, yet today EU agreed with China (http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/09/20/uk-eu-china-summit-idUKBRE88J0QR20120920) to avoid trade protectionist measures. They keep doing this because China keeps buying EU countries' bonds and has many...
  40. E

    China made swiss watches before the swiss

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1096959/Mystery-century-old-Swiss-watch-discovered-ancient-tomb-sealed-400-years.html Does this mean the swiss are making fake chinese watches?
  41. T

    News Another cold war ? China and U.S.

    Like the title, has another cold war begun between China and U.S.. There are some indications and developments or Am I stating the obvious ? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16423881 Appreciate comments and discussion on the topic.
  42. jtbell

    Chopsticks to China = coal to Newcastle?

    You be the judge... Georgia's hottest export: Chopsticks!
  43. DaveC426913

    China Building network in middle of desert

    What are these? http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/11/china-gigantic/?mbid=ob_ppc_dangerroom This must be a driving training ground. What's strange is the way the lines are cut. Some of the curves are highly acute, yet the points are carefully constructed, not all the way a bulldozer...
  44. P

    Examining the Shocking Cultural Response to China's Hit and Run Toddler Case

    http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/china-shocked-as-hit-run-toddler-ignored-by-18-passers-by/story-e6frg6so-1226169339307 [Broken] Scary that this sort of culture is rising as a world power...
  45. Y

    RF Engineer from China Give Advice

    Hello. Yangman here. I come here write an advice. Do not study digital field in EE. Every day I meet some digital circuit chump who call himself engineer because he understand AND NOR NAND NOR and verilog. Just because you can make LED blink on Arduino do not make you real engineer. I give...
  46. D

    News 3 Mil Jobs lost to China are returning to the U.S.

    Link to news article: http://news.yahoo.com/video/us-15749625/overseas-jobs-come-home-26850542.html [Broken] Out of an estimated 4.5 million jobs lost to China over the last few decades, upwards of 3 million are returning to the U.S. Cited factors include rapidly-rising Chinese wages...
  47. W

    News When will China overtake the U.S, economically?

    What are the estimates when this will roughly happen? Are countries preparing for this transition? http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-06/osama-bin-laden-fulfilled-his-one-true-ambition-noah-feldman.html" [Broken] article prompted this question. And the recession. One thing that makes...
  48. Topher925

    News China suspected of offering Kadafi weapons

    Does this worry anyone? Relationships with China seem to be getting worse and worse as time goes on.
  49. Ranger Mike

    Is China's New Aircraft Carrier Design Real or Just a Virtual Concept?

    I got this from a friend over the internet...is this design practical or just some virtual design?
  50. Loren Booda

    News Diplomatic resolution of U.S. - China proprietary debt

    The U.S. owes China around 2 trillion dollars. How might patent violations and industrial espionage by China (and the U.S.) figure in modifying this debt? In that regard it seems to me that China is undermining the U.S. economy by being the stealthiest of thieves. Can the debt be further...
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