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, the system imposed
strict controls over everyday life and cost the
lives of tens of millions of people. After 1978,
his 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.
The capital of China is Beijing and the climate
varies greatly due to its large land mass. Only
10% of China is suitable for agriculture. Unemployment
estimates range between 9% and 20%, with 10% below
the poverty line.
POPULATION
Population of the country is 1,306,313,812 (July
2005 est.) with a population growth rate of 0.58
% (2005 est.). Roughly a quarter of the world’s
population lives in China, which makes Chinese the
largest population in the world.
ETHNIC GROUPS
China is made up of 56 ethnic groups. The Han people
make up 91.96% of the total population, and the
other 55 national minorities 8.04%. Those ethnic
groups with more than one million people are: Zhuang
(15.55m), Hui (8.61m), Uyghur (7.2m), Yi (6.58m),
Miao (7.38m), Manchu (9.85m), Tibetan (4.59m), Mongolian
(4.8m), Tujia (5.73m), Bouyei (2.55m), Korean (1.92m),
Dong (2.51m), Yao (2.13m), Bai (1.6m) and Hani (1.25m),
Kazak (1.11m), Dai (1.03m), Li (1.11m). The others
are Lisu, Wa, She, Gaoshan, Lahu, Shui, Dongxiang,
Naxi, Jingpo, Kirgiz, Tu, Daur, Mulam, Qiang, Blang,
Salar, Maonan, Gelo, Xibe, Achang, Pumi, Tajik,
Nu, Ozbek, Russian, Ewenki, Benglong, Bonan, Yugur,
Jing, Tatar, Drung, Oroqen, Hezhen, Moinba, Lhoba
and Gelo.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC.
LANGUAGE
China has eight major dialect groups: Putonghua
(Mandarin), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghainese),
Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan
and Hakka and many sub-dialects. The language spoken
in Beijing is often referred to as Mandarin or Putonghua.
Putonghua, which means "common language"
is the country's predominant language and is widely
used by more than 70 percent of the population.
Putonghua is variously referred to as the "Han
language" (hanyu), "Mandarin", or
simply Chinese.
Various groups such as the Mongolian, Tibetan, Naxi,
Yi, Uygur, as well as many other ethnic groups have
their own "native" languages.
In recent years, as tourism to China has been increasing,
the use of English has been sweeping across the
country. Most of the service staff in hotels and
many stores can speak fluent or basic English.
RELIGION
China is a multi-religious country. Buddhism, Taoism
and Islam are the three major religions. Catholicism
and Protestantism have smaller but substantial followers
too. Different ethnic groups usually follow different
religions. Islam is followed by the Hui, Uygur,
Kazak, Kirgiz, Tatar, Dongxiang, Salar and Bonan
peoples; Buddhism and Lamaism are followed by the
Tibetan, Mongolian, Dai and Yugur nationalities;
Christianity is followed by the Miao, Yao and Yi
nationalities; Shamanism is followed by the Oroqen,
Ewenki and Daur nationalities; and the majority
Han nationality believes in Buddhism, Taoism and
Christianity.
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
9.8% in urban areas; substantial unemployment and
underemployment in rural areas; an official Chinese
journal estimated overall unemployment (including
rural areas) for 2003 at 20% (2004 est.)
CURRENCY
The local currency used is the Renminbi (RMB). The
currency is denominated in yuan (one yuan equals
10 jiao, and one jiao equals 10 fen).
Foreign banknotes and travelers’
cheques can be exchanged at branches of The Bank
of China. In hotels and Friendship Stores for tourists,
imported luxury items such as spirits may be bought
with Western currency. Scottish and Northern Irish
banknotes cannot be exchanged.
All major credit cards are accepted
in major provincial cities in designated establishments.
However, the availability of ATMs is often limited,
and the acceptance of credit cards is often unlikely.
Travelers’ cheques are useful
to carry in China because the exchange rate is actually
more favourable than what you get for cash. Cheques
from most of the world's leading banks and issuing
agencies are now acceptable in China. However it
is only acceptable in the bank instead of shopping
centers. To avoid additional exchange rate charges,
travelers are advised to take travelers cheques
in US Dollars.
VISA AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
All foreigners who are visiting China are required
to obtain a visa except nationals of Brunei, Japan
and Singapore for stays of up to 15 days.
Tourist visas are normally valid for three months
from the date of issue (single and double-entry),
for stays up not exceeding 30 days.
To apply for a tourist visa, submit your Passport
(valid for up to six months with at least one blank
page), completed application form, one recent passport-size
photo, visa fee, return airline ticket or travel
information about itinerary and confirmation of
hotel reservation in China.
For more information
on visa applications and procedures, inquire directly
with the Chinese Embassy or Consulate office located
in/ near your country http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/wjb/zwjg/default.htm.
AIRPORT TAX
A departure tax of RMB90 is required for departure
to all international destinations. Children under
12 and transit passengers (proceeding within 24
hours) are exempted.
ELECTRICITY
The voltage in China is 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin
sockets and some three-pin sockets are in use.
TAP WATER
It is not advisable to drink tap water in China.
Bottled mineral water is safe and available everywhere.
Ice in drinks is generally OK in good standard hotels
and restaurants but it is best to avoid it on street
stalls or in country areas.
VACCINATIONS
No inoculations or vaccinations are required unless
coming from or passing through an infected area
(e.g. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is
required from all travelers arriving within six
days of leaving an infected area). It is advisable
to check for updated health recommendations regarding
malaria, Hepatitis etc before your departure to
China.
CLIMATE
China has a great diversity of climates. The northeast
experiences hot and dry summers and bitterly cold
winters. The north and central region has almost
continual rainfall, hot summers and cold winters.
The southeast region has substantial rainfall, with
semi-tropical summers and cool winters. Central,
southern and western China are also susceptible
to flooding, China is also periodically subject
to seismic activity.
TIME
GMT +8. Despite the vast size of the country, Beijing
time is standard throughout China.
CLOTHING
North – heavyweight clothing with boots for
the harsh northern winters. Lightweight clothing
for summer. South – mediumweight clothing
for winter and lightweight for summer.
Sources:
CIA
world fact book, August 2005
China
tourism
China
Country Guide
Travel
China Guide
Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of the PRC
