People's Republic of China - Country Profile
China is the world's most populous country, with a continuous culture stretching back nearly 4,000 years. Many of the elements that make up the foundation of the modern world originated in China, including paper, gunpowder, credit banking, the compass and paper money. After stagnating for more than two decades under the rigid authoritarianism of early communist rule under its late leader, Chairman Mao, China now has the world's fastest-growing economy and is undergoing what has been described as a second industrial revolution. Read moreabout People's Republic of China...
Facts
| Full name | People's Republic of China |
|---|---|
| Population | 1.33 billion (UN, 2007) |
| Capital | Beijing |
| Largest city | Shanghai |
| Area | 9.6 million sq km (3.7 million sq miles) |
| Major language | Mandarin Chinese |
| Major religions | Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism |
| Life expectancy | 71 years (men), 75 years (women) (UN) |
| Monetary unit | 1 Renminbi (yuan) (Y) = 10 jiao = 100 fen; |
| Main exports | Manufactured goods, including textiles, garments, electronics, arms |
| GNI per capita | US $1,740 (World Bank, 2006) |
| Internet domain | .cn |
| International dialling code | +86 |
TV & Radio Programmes
- StoryvillePlease Vote for Me, 21 Nov 08
Director Weijun Chen's charming film takes us into the world of Chinese schoolchildren, learning about democracy for the first time as they try to vote for their class monitor.
Watch "" now - Wild ChinaTibet, 25 May 08
Documentary capturing the dazzling array of creatures that live in China's most beautiful landscapes. The vast Tibetan plateau is one of the world's most remote places.
Watch "" now
Watch films made in London by the British Chinese community
Coming up
- Yes I Am, No You're Not CBeebies, 28 Nov 08
- Cheeky Chinese CBBC, 27 Nov 08
- Beyond the Great Wall BBC Two, 23 Nov 08
- BBC 6 Music, 25 Nov 08
From BBC News
In-depth news and features on how China is transforming itself, with photo galleries and audio and video clips
Tibetans back Dalai Lama on China22 Nov 08Tibetan exiles meeting in India back the Dalai Lama's policy of seeking autonomy, rather than full independence, from China.
China names 19,000 May quake dead21 Nov 08Chinese authorities name more than 19,000 people killed in a big quake in May, but deny reports they were all students.
- China woman loses fight for home 21 Nov 08
- China deepens Latin America ties 21 Nov 08
- US warned of China 'cyber-spying' 20 Nov 08
- Peru bets on China's economic muscle 20 Nov 08
News Audio and Video
Footage of China clashes20 Nov 08Several dozen protesters went on the rampage this week in the city of Longnan in China's western Gansu province.
Watch "Footage of China clashes" now
China fears grow over job losses20 Nov 08China's social security minister has described the country's employment situation as grim and warned that the effects of the global financial crisis were not fully felt yet.
Watch "China fears grow over job losses" now
US to help China with food safety20 Nov 08The Chinese government has allowed the US to open food safety offices to help ensure the safety of products for export.
Watch "US to help China with food safety" now
Families act against China milk scandal16 Nov 08Lawyers representing the families of children affected by China's tainted milk scandal plan to launch a lawsuit against the company which produced the products.
Watch "Families act against China milk scandal" now- China tunnel collapse kills three 16 Nov 08Watch "China tunnel collapse kills three" now
- China minister speaks on Tibet 14 Nov 08Watch "China minister speaks on Tibet" now
Editor's Choice
Scotland - China StoriesFollow the production team who are creating TV, radio and online content all about China
BBC Two - Chinese Food Made EasyRecipes from the BBC Two TV series, Chinese Food Made Easy
- Languages - Chinese
- News - The Great Exhibition and London's Chinese Junk
- Newsnight - China's Games
- News - China Earthquake
Sport Headlines
Sterne & Liang lead in Hong Kong20 Nov 08South Africa's Richard Sterne and Liang Wenchong of China shoot six-under-par 64s to share the lead after the first round of the Hong Kong Open.
China considers ditching F1 race14 Nov 08Shanghai is weighing up the future of its Grand Prix, according to a senior race official.
- Garcia beats Wilson in Shanghai 10 Nov 08
- McDowell slips down China field 09 Nov 08
- Carroll claims China sprint win 09 Nov 08
- Flawless McDowell shines in China 08 Nov 08
Sport Audio and Video
Reed motivated by Beijing memory06 Nov 08Rower Peter Reed says the memory of winning gold in Beijing will help him through the tough times between now and London 2012.
Listento "Reed motivated by Beijing memory" now
Olympic experience good - Murray30 Oct 08Manchester featherweight Joe Murray tells BBC Radio Merseyside his experience at the Beijing Olympics will help him when he fights at the European Championships in Liverpool.
Listento "Olympic experience good - Murray" now- Taekwondo medallist on Olympic controversy30 Oct 08
Sarah Stevenson tells the Chris Evans show about her 'traumatic' elimination and reinstatement in Beijing.
Listento "Taekwondo medallist on Olympic controversy" now 
Adlington on life since Beijing16 Oct 08Double Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington tells Sue Barker how her life has completely changed since she returned from the Olympics.
Watch "Adlington on life since Beijing" now- Beijing performance 'Herculean' - Coe 16 Oct 08Watch "Beijing performance 'Herculean' - Coe" now
- Hoy backs IOC doping policy 09 Oct 08Watch "Hoy backs IOC doping policy" now
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