Introducing China

From the World Factbook:

There are 1.3 billion people in China!

China has 23 provinces (sheng, singular and plural), 5 autonomous regions (zizhiqu, singular and plural), and 4 municipalities (shi, singular and plural)

Provinces:

1. Anhui,
2. Fujian,
3. Gansu,
4. Guangdong,
5. Guizhou,
6. Hainan,
7. Hebei,
8. Heilongjiang,
9. Henan,
10. Hubei,
11. Hunan,
12. Jiangsu,
13. Jiangxi,
14. Jilin,
15. Liaoning,
16. Qinghai,
17. Shaanxi,
18. Shandong,
19. Shanxi,
20. Sichuan,
21. Yunnan,
22. Zhejiang;

Autonomous regions:

1. Guangxi,
2. Nei Mongol,
3. Ningxia,
4. Xinjiang, Xizang (Tibet)
   

Municipalities:

1. Beijing,
2. Chongqing,
3. Shanghai,
4. Tianjin

China's economy during the last quarter century has changed to a more market-oriented economy that has a rapidly growing private sector and is a major player in the global economy.

The restructuring of the economy and resulting efficiency gains have contributed to a more than tenfold increase in GDP since 1978. China in 2005 is the second-largest economy in the world after the US, although in per capita terms the country is still lower middle-income and 150 million Chinese fall below international poverty lines.

Economic development has been faster in coastal provinces and there are large disparities in per capita income between regions.

The government has struggled to:
(a) sustain adequate job growth for tens of millions of workers laid off from state-owned enterprises, migrants, and new entrants to the work force;
(b) reduce corruption and other economic crimes;
(c) Contain environmental damage and social strife related to the economy's rapid transformation.

From 100 to 150 million surplus rural workers are adrift between the villages and the cities, many subsisting through part-time, low-paying jobs.

China has benefited from a huge expansion in computer Internet use, with more than 100 million users at the end of 2005. Foreign investment remains a strong element in China's remarkable expansion in world trade and has been an important factor in the growth of urban jobs.

In July 2005, China revalued its currency by 2.1% against the US dollar and moved to an exchange rate system that references a basket of currencies.

Thirteen years in construction at a cost of $24 billion, the immense Three Gorges Dam across the Yangtze River will be essentially completed in 2006 and will revolutionize electrification and flood control in the area.

China is aiming for a 20% reduction in energy consumption per unit of GDP by 2010 and an estimated 45% increase in GDP by 2010. Conserving resources and protecting the environment are basic goals.