CHINA

China is a country in East Asia whose culture is considered the oldest, still extant, in
the world. The name `China comes from the Sanskrit Cina (derived from the name of
the Chinese Qin Dynasty, pronounced `Chin) which was translated as `Cin by the
Persians and seems to have become popularized through trade along the Silk Road
from China to the rest of the world. The Romans and the Greeks knew the country as
`Seres, the land where silk comes from. The name `China does not appear in print
in the west until 1516 CE in Barbosas journals narrating his travels in the east
(though the Europeans had long known of China through trade via the Silk Road).
Marco Polo, the famous explorer who familiarized China to Europe in the 13th
century CE, referred to the land as `Cathay. In Mandarin Chinese, the country is
known as `Zhongguo meaning `central state or `middle empire.

GEOGRAPHY OF CHINA
Located in Southeast Asia along the coastline of the Pacific Ocean, China is the
world's third largest country, after Russia and Canada. With an area of 9.6 million
square kilometers and a coastline of 18,000 kilometers, its shape on the map is like a
rooster. It reaches Mohe in Heilongjiang Province as its northern end, Zengmu Ansha
(or James Shoal) to the south, Pamirs to the west, and expands to the eastern border at
the conjunction of the Heilongjiang (Amur) River and the Wusuli (Ussuri) River,
spanning about 50 degrees of latitude and 62 degrees of longitude. China is bordered
by 14 countries -- Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Burma, India, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan,
Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakstan, Mongolia, and Russia. Marine-side
neighbors include eight countries -- North Korea, Korea, Japan, Philippines, Brunei,
Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam.
CHINESE PEOPLE
The population in China, with over 1.381 billion people (including Hong Kong,
Macau and Taiwan) as of 2015, is without doubt the most populous country in the
world. According to the census at the end of 2013, the ratio of the sexes is about

51.27% male and 48.73% female. Some 49.68% of the population resides in the urban
cities and towns while the rest is in rural areas.
Family Planning
China has almost 20% of the world's total population. To control rapid growth in
the population growth and to ensure quality of life, 'Family Planning', is one of the
basic state policies, since 1978. As a measure to avoid over population, late marriage
and postponement of childbearing means fewer but healthier babies, something that is
greatly encouraged by the government. In 1979, China became the first country to
launch the 'one child per couple' policy.
However, for those who endure more strenuous lives in countryside and where
there is a greater need for manual labor, they are allowed to have their second baby
several years later after the birth of the first one. A more liberal policy is also followed
in ethnic minority areas. Generally, two children are allowed for one family,
sometimes three. For extremely under populated minorities, there is no limitation on
childbirth.
The statistics from the latest census at the end of 2010 reveals that Chinas
population challenge has changed to disappearing of demographic dividend, low birth
rate, an aging society, and a widening gender imbalance. More and more population
scholars and professionals call for a new population policy in China. From 2009, a
relaxed one-child policy has been applied in most provinces that couples are allowed
to have two children if both of the parents are only children. From 2013, an upgrade
two-child policy has been gradually applied in some provinces that couples are
allowed to have two children if one of the parents is an only child. Experts and
scholars predict that two-child policy will take the place of one-child policy in China
in

the

near

future.

PEOPLES CHARACTER AND LIFE

The Chinese are industrious, hardworking, peace-loving and a strenuous nation,
while the numerous people are hospitable, conservative, modest and in general easy to
approach. Nowadays, Chinese enjoy a higher standard of living, with greatly

improved facilities for education, a fact that contributes much to the overall quality of
life for the entire nation. Economic growth means that in time those in the poorer
regions will enjoy a higher standard of living but with such a large population these
improvements take time. There has been a distinct improvement in the status of
women; while rights of senior citizens and children enjoy more protection and care.
Chinese society has become more open, accommodating and self-sustaining in these
new times. However, the people never forget to carry forward and develop the
traditional Chinese virtues while they are willing to accept new ideas and try new
things.
CHINESE CULTURE / CUSTOMS AND TRADITION
The largest festival also called the Spring Festival marks the beginning of
the Lunar New Year. It falls between mid-January and mid-February and is a time to
honor ancestors. During the 15-day celebration, the Chinese do something every day
to welcome the new year, such as eat rice congee and mustard greens to cleanse the
body, according to the University of Victoria. The holiday is marked with fireworks
and parades featuring dancers dressed as dragons.
Many people make pilgrimages to Confucius' birthplace in Shandong Province on
his birthday, Sept. 28. The birthday of Guanyin, the goddess of mercy, is observed by
visiting Taoist temples. It falls between late March and late April. Similar celebrations
mark the birthday of Mazu, the goddess of the sea (also known as Tianhou), in May or
June. The Moon Festival is celebrated in September or October with fireworks, paper
lanterns and moon gazing.
The Arts
Chinese art is greatly influenced by the countrys rich spiritual and mystical
history. Many sculptures and paintings depict spiritual figures of Buddhism, according
to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Many musical instruments are integral to Chinese culture, including the flute-like xun
and the guqin, which is in the zither family.

Eastern-style martial arts were also developed in China, and it is the birthplace of
kung fu. This fighting technique is based on animal movements and was created in the
mid-1600s, according to Black Belt Magazine.
Ancient Chinese were avid writers and philosophers especially during the Ming
and Qing dynasties and that is reflected in the countrys rich liturgical history.
Food
Like other aspects of Chinese life, cuisine is heavily influenced by geography and
ethnic diversity. Among the main styles of Chinese cooking are Cantonese, which
features stir-fried dishes, and Szechuan, which relies heavily on use of peanuts,
sesame paste and ginger and is known for its spiciness.
Rice is not only a major food source in China; it is also a major element that
helped grow their society, according to "Pathways to Asian Civilizations: Tracing the
Origins and Spread of Rice and Rice Cultures," an 2011 article in the journal Rice by
Dorian Q. Fuller. The Chinese word for rice is fan, which also means "meal," and it is
a staple of their diet, as are bean sprouts, cabbage and scallions. Because they do not
consume a lot of meat occasionally pork or chicken tofu is a main source of
protein for the Chinese.
Religion
The Chinese Communist Party that rules the nation is officially atheist, though it
is gradually becoming more tolerant of religions, according to the Council on Foreign
Relations. Currently, there are only five official religions. Any religion other than
Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism and Protestantism are illegal, even though the
Chinese constitution states that people are allowed freedom of religion. The gradual
tolerance of religion has only started to progress in the past few decades.
About a quarter of the people practice Taoism and Confucianism and other
traditional religions. There are also small numbers of Buddhists, Muslims and
Christians. Although numerous Protestant and Catholic ministries have been active in
the country since the early 19th century, they have made little progress in converting
Chinese to these religions.