China |
Background: | |
For centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences, but in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the country was beset by civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. After World War II, the Communists under MAO Zedong established an autocratic socialist system that, while ensuring China's sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life and cost the lives of tens of millions of people. After 1978, MAO's successor DENG Xiaoping and other leaders focused on market-oriented economic development and by 2000 output had quadrupled. For much of the population, living standards have improved dramatically and the room for personal choice has expanded, yet political controls remain tight. China since the early 1990s has increased its global outreach and participation in international |
Nationality: | |
noun: Chinese (singular and plural) adjective: Chinese | |
Ethnic Groups: | |
Han Chinese 91.5%, Zhuang, Manchu, Hui, Miao, Uighur, Tujia, Yi, Mongol, Tibetan, Buyi, Dong, Yao, Korean, and other nationalities 8.5% (2000 census) | |
Languages: | |
Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the Beijing dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghainese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages (see Ethnic groups entry) note: Mongolian is official in Nei Mongol, Uighur is official in Xinjiang Uygur, and Tibetan is official in Xizang (Tibet) | |
Religions: | |
Daoist (Taoist), Buddhist, Christian 3%-4%, Muslim 1%-2% note: officially atheist (2002 est.) | |
Population: | |
1,343,239,923 (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 |
Major Cities - Population: | |
Shanghai 16.575 million; BEIJING (capital) 12.214 million; Chongqing 9.401 million; Shenzhen 9.005 million; Guangzhou 8.884 million (2009) |
Statistics | |
Percent Urbanization | 47 % |
Total People Groups | 517 |
Unreached People Groups | 427 |
Region | Northeast Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
Official National Language | Chinese, Mandarin |
Primary Religion | Non-Religious |
Percent Christian Adherent | 7.7% [1] |
Percent Evangelical | 6.1% [2] |
Country Progress Level | 3.1 |
Persecution Ranking | 21 (1=High to 50=Low OD) |
Human Development Index | 0.663 (0=Low to 1=High UN) |
ClassesEvents | RevivalCulture | NewsFeatures | |
Power Course Live Interactive Virtual Learning Monday, October 14, 2024 - Guest Instructor Joshua Khachadourian |
What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit? It is the coming of the kingdom of God. It is Christ taking over in a life. No more do I live unto myself-that is over with! Now, thank God, according to His eternal purpose, He has taken over. More» |