Chapter 13Chapter 13

ChinaChina

ChinaChina

Country nameCountry name: : People's Republic of China, China

CapitalCapital: : Beijing LocationLocation: : Eastern Asia, bordering the

East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam (its size is bigger than Europe; 4th largest country in the world coming after Russia, Canada and United States)

Border countriesBorder countries: : Afghanistan, Bhutan, Burma, Hong Kong, India, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macau, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Vietnam

Government typeGovernment type: : Communist state PopulationPopulation: : 1,286,975,468 (July (July

2003 est.). Most populated country 2003 est.). Most populated country (app. 1/6th of world population) in (app. 1/6th of world population) in the world (followed by India and the world (followed by India and United States)United States)

LanguagesLanguages: : Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the Beijing dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghaiese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages

Administrative divisions:Administrative divisions: 23 provinces and 4 municipalities

ReligionsReligions: : Daoist (Taoist), Buddhist, Muslim 1%-2%, Christian 3%-4%

GDP – per capitaGDP – per capita: : purchasing power purchasing power parity - parity - $4,700 (2002 est.) (2002 est.) (127(127thth in the in the world)world)

IndustriesIndustries: : iron and steel, coal, machine building, armaments, textiles and apparel, petroleum, cement, chemical fertilizers, footwear, toys, food processing, automobiles, consumer electronics, telecommunications

CurrencyCurrency: : yuan (CNY) (CIA, World (CIA, World Fact Book)Fact Book)

Important FactsImportant Facts

One of the top 5 destinations in the One of the top 5 destinations in the world (with France, Spain, US, and Italy; world (with France, Spain, US, and Italy; as the 5as the 5thth)) 36,8 million international tourist arrivals36,8 million international tourist arrivals $ 20,4 billion international tourism receipts $ 20,4 billion international tourism receipts

(WTO, 2003)(WTO, 2003) CoastlineCoastline: : 14,500 km TerrainTerrain: : mostly mountains, high

plateaus, deserts in west; plains, deltas, and hills in east (2/3 of China is covered by mountains)

ClimateClimate: : extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north (CIA, (CIA, World Fact Book). World Fact Book).

Selling PointsSelling Points

The Greta Wall, the terra-cotta The Greta Wall, the terra-cotta warriors, acrobats, shopping, Hong warriors, acrobats, shopping, Hong Kong, Tibet, pandas, ancient Kong, Tibet, pandas, ancient instrumental music and Chinese instrumental music and Chinese opera, food, the Forbidden City and opera, food, the Forbidden City and a diverse landscape (from mountains a diverse landscape (from mountains to desert).to desert).

Very Brief HistoryVery Brief History

representrepresentss one of the earliest one of the earliest civilizations in the worldcivilizations in the world ( (the oldest the oldest continuous major world civilizationcontinuous major world civilization); ); has a recorded history of about 3,600 has a recorded history of about 3,600 yearsyears

in its ancient history, several dynasties in its ancient history, several dynasties were present starting from the 21were present starting from the 21stst century BC (century BC (Xia DynastyXia Dynasty)to 1911 AD ()to 1911 AD (Qing DynastyQing Dynasty). The last dynasty was ). The last dynasty was having power between 1644 to 1911having power between 1644 to 1911

1313thth century, northern part conquered century, northern part conquered by the Mongolsby the Mongols

between 1386 and 1644, between 1386 and 1644, Portuguese are Portuguese are permitted to settle in Macapermitted to settle in Macauu

1839 – 1842, the First Opium War; after 1839 – 1842, the First Opium War; after the Chinese defeat, Hong Kong was the Chinese defeat, Hong Kong was ceded to Britain in 1842 under the ceded to Britain in 1842 under the “Treaty of Nanking”“Treaty of Nanking”

1856 – 1858, the Second Opium War; 1856 – 1858, the Second Opium War; after another defeat, Britain was after another defeat, Britain was granted a perpetual lease on the granted a perpetual lease on the Kowloon Peninsula under the 1860 Kowloon Peninsula under the 1860 Convention of BeijingConvention of Beijing

in 1898, Britain executed a 99-year lease in 1898, Britain executed a 99-year lease of the Hong Kong (and adjacent lands) of the Hong Kong (and adjacent lands)

between 1912 -1949, it was the Republic between 1912 -1949, it was the Republic of China which sank between of China which sank between Nationalists and Communists. Nationalists and Communists. Foreign Foreign powerspowers, missionaries and adventurers , missionaries and adventurers tooktook  advantage of the situation. Japan   advantage of the situation. Japan invadeinvadedd and occupie and occupiedd much of the much of the country. After the war the Nationalists country. After the war the Nationalists failfailed ed to resume power  and to resume power  and werewere defeated by the Communists. Many fledefeated by the Communists. Many fledd to Taiwanto Taiwan

in 1949, in 1949, the People's Republicthe People's Republic of China of China is founded and so is founded and so China entrChina entreded into the into the socialist stagesocialist stage in its history. After the in its history. After the communist takeover, hundreds of people communist takeover, hundreds of people emigrated from China to Hong Kongemigrated from China to Hong Kong

in 1955, in 1955, Portugal declares Macau it’s Portugal declares Macau it’s colony colony

iin 1978n 1978,, the Open Door  policy the Open Door  policy introduced introduced to modernize the economy to modernize the economy and welcome visitors from overseas.  and welcome visitors from overseas.  Today, Today, China is committed to economic China is committed to economic reform and opening to the outside world reform and opening to the outside world

in 1987, in 1987, Portugal and China declare Portugal and China declare that Macau will go back under that Macau will go back under Chinese administration on December Chinese administration on December 20, 199920, 1999

1 July 1997, Hong Kong became the 1 July 1997, Hong Kong became the Hong Kong Special Administrative Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China. In the Region (SAR) of China. In the agreement, under its “one country, agreement, under its “one country, two systems” formula, China promise two systems” formula, China promise that it will not exercise its socialist that it will not exercise its socialist economic system in Hong Kongeconomic system in Hong Kong

Most Famous CitiesMost Famous Cities BeijingBeijing (capital of the country) (capital of the country) Hong KongHong Kong (special administration region) (special administration region) ShanghaiShanghai (most populous city) (most populous city) Guangzhou Guangzhou (Canton) (most modern city) (Canton) (most modern city) Xi’anXi’an (starting point of Silk Road, home of Qin (starting point of Silk Road, home of Qin

Army Vault Museum)Army Vault Museum) LhasaLhasa (capital of Tibet, home of Dalai Lama)(capital of Tibet, home of Dalai Lama) SuzhouSuzhou (Soochow) (famous with 11th (Soochow) (famous with 11th century century

gardens)gardens) ChengduChengdu (71 (71 meters meters tall world’s largest Buddha)tall world’s largest Buddha)

Beijing (Peking)Beijing (Peking)

Forbidden City (14th century; Forbidden City (14th century; Imperial Palace with 6 palaces, 800 Imperial Palace with 6 palaces, 800 smaller buildings, 9000 rooms) smaller buildings, 9000 rooms)

Summer Palace (wooded setting on a Summer Palace (wooded setting on a splendid lake with a marble replica splendid lake with a marble replica of Mississippi riverboat)of Mississippi riverboat)

Tiannanmen Square - site of:Tiannanmen Square - site of: Monument to the People’s Heroes (36-m Monument to the People’s Heroes (36-m

obelisk)obelisk)

Mao Zedong’s MausoleumMao Zedong’s Mausoleum the Great Hall of People (Congress Building)the Great Hall of People (Congress Building) Museum of Chinese HistoryMuseum of Chinese History Museum of Chinese RevolutionMuseum of Chinese Revolution Temple of Sleeping BuddhaTemple of Sleeping Buddha Tempe of Azure Clouds (with Diamond Tempe of Azure Clouds (with Diamond

Throne Pagoda)Throne Pagoda) Temple of Heaven (a large park with Hall of Temple of Heaven (a large park with Hall of

Prayer for Good Harvests)Prayer for Good Harvests) Grand View Garden (a theme park based on Grand View Garden (a theme park based on

the famous Chinese novel the famous Chinese novel the Dream of the the Dream of the Red Chamber)Red Chamber)

Fragrant Hills Park (for a panoramic Fragrant Hills Park (for a panoramic view) view)

Friendship Store (government-run Friendship Store (government-run store)store)

day trips to the Great Wall and the day trips to the Great Wall and the Ming TombsMing Tombs

Great Wall of ChinaGreat Wall of China

is 75 km far from Beijing is 75 km far from Beijing built to defend China from the northern built to defend China from the northern

enemies; started on the 3enemies; started on the 3rdrd century BC; re century BC; re constructed between 3constructed between 3rdrd and 5 and 5thth centuries centuries ADAD

stretches at least 6000 kmstretches at least 6000 km interesting places to see the wall are;interesting places to see the wall are;

en route to Chengdu (where there are double en route to Chengdu (where there are double walls; built in case enemies scaled the first one)walls; built in case enemies scaled the first one)

near Shanhaiguan (where the wall meets the near Shanhaiguan (where the wall meets the ocean)ocean)

Hong KongHong Kong

its territory consists of a mainland peninsula its territory consists of a mainland peninsula and more than 200 islands scattered around and more than 200 islands scattered around the China Seethe China See

became part of China in 1997, became part of China in 1997, China has China has promised that, under its "one country, two promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic systems" formula, China's socialist economic system will not be imposed on Hong Kong system will not be imposed on Hong Kong and that Hong Kong will enjoy a high degree and that Hong Kong will enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years. and defense affairs for the next 50 years.

world financial capital, a city of world financial capital, a city of rocky, mountainous terrain and rocky, mountainous terrain and limited spacelimited space

Places worth seeing include;Places worth seeing include; Victoria Harbor (or “Fragrant Harbor” Victoria Harbor (or “Fragrant Harbor”

abuzz with luxury liners, yachts, cargo abuzz with luxury liners, yachts, cargo ships and old-fashioned sampans)ships and old-fashioned sampans)

Aberdeen (south side of Hong Kong Aberdeen (south side of Hong Kong Island, best known with its Harbor, Island, best known with its Harbor, floating city and ship restaurants)floating city and ship restaurants)

Ocean Park (more than 400 fish species Ocean Park (more than 400 fish species with trained dolphins and killer whales)with trained dolphins and killer whales)

The Middle Kingdom (a theme park that The Middle Kingdom (a theme park that re-creates the architecture/atmosphere of re-creates the architecture/atmosphere of 13 Chinese dynasties spanning 5000 13 Chinese dynasties spanning 5000 years)years)

Central District in the Northern Hong Central District in the Northern Hong Kong island (government and financial Kong island (government and financial centers, remnants of old Hong Kong )centers, remnants of old Hong Kong )

Western District (interesting old streets)Western District (interesting old streets) Victoria Peak (a trap goes up this hill, Victoria Peak (a trap goes up this hill,

Peak Tower is a place for restaurants and Peak Tower is a place for restaurants and shops)shops)

Kowloon (nine dragons) peninsula (most Kowloon (nine dragons) peninsula (most visitors stay here. Nathan Road and visitors stay here. Nathan Road and Golden Mile has best hotels)Golden Mile has best hotels)

Ladies Market and Temple Street Ladies Market and Temple Street Market (local bazaars)Market (local bazaars)

Po Lin Monastery (a Buddhist temple on Po Lin Monastery (a Buddhist temple on Lantau Island)Lantau Island)

New Territories (north of Kowloon with New Territories (north of Kowloon with traditional markets)traditional markets)

Castle Peak (beaches and good Castle Peak (beaches and good restaurants)restaurants)

Sai Kung Peninsula (best seafood in Sai Kung Peninsula (best seafood in Hong Kong)Hong Kong)

MacauMacau

turned to Chinese territory in 1999, turned to Chinese territory in 1999, like Hong Konglike Hong Kong

has a Mediterranean and Portugese has a Mediterranean and Portugese flavorflavor

colonial architecture and temples are colonial architecture and temples are the main attractionsthe main attractions

gambling is also an important gambling is also an important attraction, it is the playroom and attraction, it is the playroom and bedroom of Hong Kongbedroom of Hong Kong

Xi’an (Sian)Xi’an (Sian)

pronounced as “SHE-on”pronounced as “SHE-on” starting point of starting point of the the Silk RoadSilk Road places to see include;places to see include;

Qin Army Vault Museum (located 40 km Qin Army Vault Museum (located 40 km east of town; contains more than 8000 east of town; contains more than 8000 life-size ceramic soldiers, chariots and life-size ceramic soldiers, chariots and horses buried there 2200 years ago to horses buried there 2200 years ago to protect the tomb of the first emperor of protect the tomb of the first emperor of China)China)

Banpo Museum (located 10 km away Banpo Museum (located 10 km away from town; built around the actual site from town; built around the actual site of 6000-yr-old Neolithic village)of 6000-yr-old Neolithic village)

Great Mosque (used by the city’s Great Mosque (used by the city’s surprisingly large Muslim population)surprisingly large Muslim population)

Big Wild Goose Pagoda (AD 625; most Big Wild Goose Pagoda (AD 625; most famous pagoda of China; has great view famous pagoda of China; has great view from the top)from the top)

ShanghaiShanghai

country’s most populous city (17 million)country’s most populous city (17 million) once considered the “Paris of the Orient”once considered the “Paris of the Orient” new buildings, subway and business new buildings, subway and business

districts are being constructeddistricts are being constructed things to see include;things to see include;

Shangai Municipal Museum (one of best Shangai Municipal Museum (one of best historical art museum in the country)historical art museum in the country)

Huangpu River (for boat trips)Huangpu River (for boat trips) Yu Yuan Market (oldest and largest in the city)Yu Yuan Market (oldest and largest in the city) Shangai Acrobats Shangai Acrobats

Guangzhou (Canton)Guangzhou (Canton)

most modern city of Chinamost modern city of China places to see include;places to see include;

Shamian Island (site of the White Swan Shamian Island (site of the White Swan Hotel and colonial architecture)Hotel and colonial architecture)

Qingping Free Market (20 min walk Qingping Free Market (20 min walk from Swan Hotel; a market where many from Swan Hotel; a market where many Chinese shop for food - snakes, monkeys, Chinese shop for food - snakes, monkeys, cats etc.)cats etc.)

Guangzhou Cultural Park (Chinese Guangzhou Cultural Park (Chinese operas, acrobat and puppet shows, art operas, acrobat and puppet shows, art exhibits, roler-skating) exhibits, roler-skating)

Guangzhou Zoo (second largest zoo of Guangzhou Zoo (second largest zoo of China, has Pandas)China, has Pandas)

Pearl River (to have boat trips) Pearl River (to have boat trips)

ChengduChengdu

capital of Sichuan regioncapital of Sichuan region things to see include;things to see include;

City zoo (one of the best places to see City zoo (one of the best places to see pandas, included rare red panda)pandas, included rare red panda)

world’s largest Buddha (71 m tall; world’s largest Buddha (71 m tall; carved into the face of a cliff; located carved into the face of a cliff; located south of Chengdu)south of Chengdu)

HangzhouHangzhou

West Lake (beautiful view like a West Lake (beautiful view like a painting)painting)

Lingyin Temple (Buddhist rock Lingyin Temple (Buddhist rock carvings)carvings)

Silk FactorySilk Factory

GuilinGuilin

Li River (cruising on the beuatiful Li River (cruising on the beuatiful river is the most famous attraction)river is the most famous attraction)

a place flooded with touristsa place flooded with tourists

Suzhou (Soochow)Suzhou (Soochow)

oone of cities on the Grand Canalne of cities on the Grand Canal the city has the city has a dozen Chinese gardens a dozen Chinese gardens

((from 11from 11thth century; century; most famous of most famous of them is Lion Gardenthem is Lion Garden))

TibetTibet

until the early 1950s, Tibet was semi-until the early 1950s, Tibet was semi-independent, now fully under Chinese independent, now fully under Chinese controlcontrol

Places to see include;Places to see include; Lhasa (is the capital; a dirty place; sits at an Lhasa (is the capital; a dirty place; sits at an

elevation of 3660 meters)elevation of 3660 meters) Barkhor Bazaar (hours can be spent by Barkhor Bazaar (hours can be spent by

watching people)watching people) Jokhang (located in the midst of the bazaar; has Jokhang (located in the midst of the bazaar; has

the holiest Tibetan Buddhist temples; full of the holiest Tibetan Buddhist temples; full of pilgrims)pilgrims)

Potala Palace (winter residence of Dalai Potala Palace (winter residence of Dalai Lama (who now is in exile since 1959 in Lama (who now is in exile since 1959 in India); an architectural wonder since it India); an architectural wonder since it has thousands of rooms and built without has thousands of rooms and built without use of a single nail)use of a single nail)

Things to RememberThings to Remember

do learn to use chopsticks before do learn to use chopsticks before going to China, or take your own going to China, or take your own forkfork

don’t be surprised if Tibetans stick don’t be surprised if Tibetans stick tongues out at you. It’s a friendly tongues out at you. It’s a friendly greetinggreeting

Western hand signals are completely Western hand signals are completely different from Chinese. Do learn to different from Chinese. Do learn to count to ten in Chinesecount to ten in Chinese