| Area Total | 9,596,960 sq km |
| Climate | extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north |
| Natural Resources | coal, iron ore, helium, petroleum, natural gas, arsenic, bismuth, cobalt, cadmium, ferrosilicon, gallium, germanium, hafnium, indium, lithium, mercury, tantalum, tellurium, tin, titanium, tungsten, antimony, manganese, magnesium, molybdenum, selenium, strontium, vanadium, magnetite, aluminum, lead, zinc, rare earth elements, uranium, hydropower potential (world’s largest), arable land |
| Imports | South Korea 9.7%, Japan 9.1%, US 8.5%, Germany 5.3%, Australia 5.1% (2017) – electrical and other machinery, including integrated circuits and other computer components, oil and mineral fuels; optical and medical equipment, metal ores, motor vehicles; soybeans |
| Government | communist party-led state |
| Capital | Beijing |
| Population | 1.4 billion (July 2018 est.) |
| Ethnicity | Han Chinese 91.6%, Zhuang 1.3%, other (includes Hui, Manchu, Uighur, Miao, Yi, Tujia, Tibetan, Mongol, Dong, Buyei, Yao, Bai, Korean, Hani, Li, Kazakh, Dai, and other nationalities) 7.1% (2010 est.) |
| Language | Standard Chinese or Mandarin (official; 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) |
| Exports | US 19%, Hong Kong 12.4%, Japan 6%, South Korea 4.5% (2017) – Exports – commodities field listing electrical and other machinery, including computers and telecommunications equipment, apparel, furniture, textiles |
News about China
- The Weeknd to return to Hong Kong after 8 years with Kai Tak show in Octoberby Wynna Wong on May 7, 2026
Canadian singer-songwriter The Weeknd will perform in Hong Kong for the first time in eight years as part of the final leg of his “After Hours Til Dawn Tour”, with sources telling the South China Morning Post that the concert is set to take place at Kai Tak Sports Park in October. Live Nation on Wednesday posted a cryptic teaser video across several […]
- Australian lawyer fined for fleeing Hong Kong restaurant, massage parlour without payingby Fiona Chow on May 7, 2026
An Australian lawyer has been fined HK$3,000 (US$383) by a Hong Kong court after he admitted to fleeing a restaurant and a massage parlour without paying bills totalling about HK$1,200. Samuel Anthony Monkivitch, 50, pleaded guilty at Eastern Court on Thursday to three charges, including two counts of making off without payment. In the first case, he failed […]
- CHINA-GUANGDONG-SHENZHEN-LOW-ALTITUDE ECONOMY (CN)on May 7, 2026
(260507) -- SHENZHEN, May 7, 2026 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on May 6, 2026 shows a drone delivering takeout food in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province. South China's tech hub of Shenzhen now stands as a leading manufacturing base for unmanned aerial vehicles, producing 70 percent of China's consumer drones and 50 percent of its industrial drones. […]
- Death of elderly pair in Sau Mau Ping flat deemed murder-suicide, police sayby Wynna Wong on May 7, 2026
An elderly man in Hong Kong is believed to have killed his ex-wife before hanging himself at a public housing estate, as he reportedly felt “hopeless” after their separation following years of marital conflict worsened by their son’s suicide, police have revealed. Terry Wan King-hang, the Sau Mau Ping assistant district commander of crime, said on […]
- FOCUS | Tianzhou-9 cargo craft re-enters atmosphereon May 7, 2026
(260507) -- BEIJING, May 7, 2026 (Xinhua) -- This image captured at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center on May 7, 2026 shows China's Tianzhou-9 cargo craft re-entering the atmosphere in a controlled manner. China's Tianzhou-9 cargo craft has re-entered the atmosphere in a controlled manner at 7:49 a.m. (Beijing Time) Thursday, according to the China Manned […]
- Jairam Ramesh uses Operation Sindoor anniversary to target govt over strategic handlingon May 7, 2026
New Delhi [India], May 7 (ANI): Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Thursday used the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor to launch a sharp critique of the government's handling of the military operation and its diplomatic aftermath, while stating that he salutes the armed forces.In a post on X, Ramesh questioned the circumstances around the […]
- One year on, Op Sindoor's midnight sun still burns as Pahalgam's dawn of justiceon May 7, 2026
By Swapnanil Chatterjee New Delhi [India], May 7 (ANI): It started in Pahalgam's Baisaran Valley, a tourist spot, a green meadow, on April 22, 2025, whose green was stained in red, did not just witness a terror attack, but a targeted attempt to fracture India from within.Terrorists from The TRF, a proxy of the Pakistan-based terrorist organisation […]
- Feature: Greece's Piraeus Port evolves from Mediterranean gateway into smart, green hubon May 7, 2026
Today, Piraeus is more than just a container port. It is Europe's fourth-largest container port, the second-largest cruise homeport, and the largest ferry port.PIRAEUS, Greece, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Standing on the quay at Piraeus Port, a humid Mediterranean breeze drifts in from the sea. Towering cranes move with precise choreography as containers glide […]
- Sensex, Nifty open higher as falling crude, easing geopolitical tension boost market sentimenton May 7, 2026
New Delhi [India], May 7 (ANI): Indian markets continued their green streak at the opening bell on Thursday, aided by falling crude oil prices, improved global risk sentiment, hopes of easing geopolitical tensions, and strong domestic liquidity absorption by DIIs. Domestic benchmarks traded with modest gains during the early session. The SENSEX stood at […]
- Thailand's strategic recalibration opens economic opportunities for India: ORF Reporton May 7, 2026
New Delhi [India], May 7 (ANI): A special report by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) has said that changing geopolitical dynamics in Thailand are creating fresh strategic and economic opportunities for India, positioning New Delhi as a potential 'third axis' alongside the United States and China. The report, titled 'India and Thailand: The Compelling […]
- The world watched, Pakistan retreated: How Operation Sindoor redrew the global anti-terror mapon May 7, 2026
New Delhi [India], May 7 (ANI): India commemorates the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor this Thursday, marking a watershed moment in the nation's strategic history. While the tactical success of the 96-hour conflict in May last year remains etched in military history, the most enduring legacy of the operation is the definitive shift in India's […]
- One year after Op Sindoor, India keeps gates of dams on Indus shut, maintains position on 'unjust' treatyon May 7, 2026
By Amrashree Mishra New Delhi [India], May 7 (ANI): As India marks one year of Operation Sindoor, the Indus Water Treaty remains in abeyance, underlining New Delhi's firm resolve that terror and cooperation cannot go together. Experts have backed the shift in the strategic doctrine and underlined how the treaty has historically constrained India of its […]
- Tai Po probe: missed checks at Wang Fuk Court due to late notice of new guidelines – as it happenedby Lo Hoi-ying,Brian Wong on May 7, 2026
This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. The second of three witnesses from the Housing Bureau’s Independent Checking Unit (ICU) testified on Thursday at a hearing into Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades. The government-appointed independent committee […]
- Motorcyclist, 58, killed in Eastern Harbour Crossing crash, police investigateby Wynna Wong on May 7, 2026
A Hong Kong motorcyclist has been killed after reportedly losing control of his vehicle, which overturned inside the Eastern Harbour Crossing, with police launching an investigation. Police said on Thursday that the accident occurred in Kwun Tong shortly after midnight, at about 12.51am, as the motorcycle was travelling through the tunnel towards Hong Kong […]
- Iran slams US' UNSC resolution to open Hormuz, calls it advancement of "political agenda, legitimise unlawful actions"on May 7, 2026
New York [US], May 7 (ANI): Iran has strongly criticised the United States-backed draft resolution at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) concerning the Strait of Hormuz, aimed at defending freedom of navigation and securing the maritime route, alleging that Washington is attempting to advance its 'political agenda' and 'legitimise unlawful […]
- India has shielded fuel supply through crude diversification amid Hormuz turmoil: S&P Global Energy officialon May 7, 2026
New Delhi [India], May 7 (ANI): India's refinery operations continue to remain 'robust' despite disruptions in global energy markets due to the Strait of Hormuz crisis, with the country diversifying crude purchases and increasing imports from multiple sources, Pulkit Agarwal, Head of India Content at S&P Global Energy, has said.Speaking on the sidelines […]
- Chinese FM calls for "immediate, full ceasefire" in West Asia during talks with Iranian FMon May 7, 2026
Beijing [China], May 7 (ANI): Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for an 'immediate and full ceasefire' over the situation in West Asia involving Iran and the US while urging all sides to prioritise dialogue and avoid any further escalation in the region, as reported by Xinhua.The Chinese FM made the remarks during talks in Beijing with Iranian Foreign […]
- Traffic accidents involving animals in Hong Kong surge 11-fold in 4 yearsby Vivian Au on May 7, 2026
Traffic accidents involving animals in Hong Kong have surged more than 11-fold over the past four years, with advocacy groups blaming a wave of pet abandonments and the blurring of urban-rural boundaries caused by large-scale development. The latest data submitted to the Legislative Council on Wednesday showed reports of animal-related traffic accidents […]
- Alexandra Eala fights for victory during rain-soaked day in Romeon May 6, 2026
(Photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)Alexandra Eala saved six of nine break points on Wednesday and rallied in the final set to register a 6-0, 3-6, 6-4 victory over Magdalena Frech of Poland to win an Internazionali BNL d'Italia first-round match on a soggy day in Rome.After rolling through the opening set, the Philippines native encountered trouble […]
- PM Modi, Vietnam President call for strengthening role of Global South in global governance: MEAon May 6, 2026
New Delhi [India], May 6 (ANI): Acknowledging the evolving global geopolitical and economic landscape, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vietnamese President To Lam underscored the growing strategic convergence between India and Vietnam to promote international order based on international law, grounded in peace, stability, cooperation and prosperity in the […]
- India-Vietnam defence ties anchored in Joint Vision Statement 2030: MEAon May 6, 2026
New Delhi [India], May 6 (ANI): Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, P Kumaran, on Wednesday said that India-Vietnam defence cooperation is guided by the Joint Vision Statement for Defence Partnership 2030.Addressing a special briefing on the State Visit of Vietnam's General Secretary and President To Lam, Kumaran said the framework covers […]
- "China stands by Iran's right to safeguard national sovereignty": Iran FM Araghchion May 6, 2026
Beijing [China], May 6 (ANI): Foreign Minister of Iran Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi wherein both sides affirmed Iran's right to safeguard national sovereignty.Araghchi said Iran trusts China in playing a crucial role in promoting peace and stopping the war.In a post on X, Araghchi said, 'I held […]
- "INDI alliance about to be destroyed, blame to fall on Rahul Gandhi's head": BJP MP Sambit Patraon May 6, 2026
New Delhi [India], May 6 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sambit Patra on Wednesday claimed that the 'INDI alliance will be destroyed' within a few weeks, saying that the 'blame would fall on Congress' leader Rahul Gandhi's head.Addressing the press conference, Patra alleged that Rahul Gandhi is an unfit leader and said that the Leader of Opposition […]
- Hantavirus: How dangerous is the cruise ship outbreakon May 6, 2026
A rat-borne pathogen has killed three people and sparked a public health panicA hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean has caught global media attention and triggered a lot of COVID trauma. The Dutch-flagged passenger ship the MV Hondius was cleared on Wednesday to dock in the Canary Islands, after three passengers were evacuated at Cape […]
- THAILAND-BANGKOK-ASIA PACIFIC RAIL 2026on May 6, 2026
(260506) -- BANGKOK, May 6, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn delivers the opening remarks at the Asia Pacific Rail 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand, May 6, 2026. TO GO WITH "Thailand unveils logistics roadmap at Asia-Pacific rail exhibition" (Xinhua/Sun Weitong)
- CHINA-BEIJING-WANG YI-BANGLADESH-FM-TALKS (CN)on May 6, 2026
(260506) -- BEIJING, May 6, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds talks with Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman in Beijing, capital of China, May 6, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Xin)
- EGYPT-ISMAILIA-CHINA-RECRUITMENT FAIR-GRADUATESon May 6, 2026
(260506) -- ISMAILIA, May 6, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian graduates read a brochure next to the booth of Jushi Egypt at a recruitment fair for Egypt-based Chinese companies in Ismailia, Egypt, May 5, 2026. TO GO WITH "Feature: Chinese language opens career doors for Egyptian students as Chinese firms recruit on campus " (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
- Dinosaur tracks in N China suggest one of slowest meat-eaterson May 6, 2026
BEIJING, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Scientists have uncovered fossil tracks in north China, left at least 134 million years ago by what they believe to be one of the slowest meat-eating dinosaurs ever recorded.Made by a three-toed theropod dinosaur that moved at a pace of 0.28 meters per second (about 1 km per hour), these tracks suggest the creature either stopped […]
- Update: Lai Ching-te's trip to Eswatini shows "Taiwan independence" separatism is just shady business: spokespersonon May 6, 2026
BEIJING, May 6 (Xinhua) -- The fact that Taiwan region's leader Lai Ching-te sneaked in and out of Eswatini shows exactly that "Taiwan independence" separatism is just shady business and unacceptable to the international community, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Wednesday, calling his act nothing but a scandalous stunt.Lin made the […]
- TANZANIA-ZANZIBAR-CHINESE MEDICAL TEAM-HEALTH COOPERATIONon May 6, 2026
(260506) -- ZANZIBAR, May 6, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Chinese urologist Wang Kunpeng (1st R) works with local medical staff members during a surgical procedure at Lumumba Hospital in Zanzibar, Tanzania, Jan. 22, 2026. TO GO WITH "Feature: Life-saving operation in Zanzibar mirrors growing China-Tanzania health cooperation" (The 35th Chinese medical team to […]
- INDONESIA-JAKARTA-MINISTER OF HEALTH-BUDI GUNADI SADIKIN-INTERVIEWon May 6, 2026
(260506) -- JAKARTA, May 6, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin speaks in an interview with Xinhua in Jakarta, Indonesia, May 5, 2026. TO GO WITH "Asia-Pacific Community: Indonesian minister sees broad prospects for health cooperation with China " (Xinhua/Cen Yunpeng)
- Global aviation shock harbinger of broader crisis Putin envoyon May 6, 2026
The crisis is bound to hit other industries, triggering food shortages and energy lockdowns, Kirill Dmitriev believesThe global aviation shock triggered by the US-Israeli attack on Iran and resulting fuel shortages is a harbinger of even "more severe shocks" that will rock other sectors of the global economy, Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev has warned.The […]
- Update: China responds to Japan launching offensive missiles overseason May 6, 2026
BEIJING, May 6 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday Japan's right-wing forces are pushing for the acceleration of remilitarization, adding Japan's neo-militarism is rising and posing a threat to regional peace and stability.Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks at a daily press briefing, in response to a query about reports […]
- Iran Is Using Alternatives Routes To Bypass US Naval Blockadeon May 6, 2026
The United States and Israels bombing campaign has left much of Irans infrastructure and industries in tatters, disrupting domestic production and hiking prices for basic food items.A US sea blockade has intensified the economic pressure on Iran, hampering its trade through the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime chokepoint that has been effectively closed […]
- Iran Is Using Alternative Routes To Bypass US Naval Blockadeon May 6, 2026
The United States and Israels bombing campaign has left much of Irans infrastructure and industries in tatters, disrupting domestic production and hiking prices for basic food items.A US sea blockade has intensified the economic pressure on Iran, hampering its trade through the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime chokepoint that has been effectively closed […]
- CHINA-SHANGHAI-BICYCLE FAIR (CN)on May 6, 2026
(260506) -- SHANGHAI, May 6, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Visitors view a bicycle at the 2026 China International Bicycle Fair in east China's Shanghai, May 6, 2026. The four-day 2026 China International Bicycle Fair kicked off at Shanghai New International Expo Centre on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe)
- CHINA-HEBEI-XUANHUA-DINOSAUR FOSSIL TRACKS-DISCOVERY (CN)on May 6, 2026
(260506) -- BEIJING, May 6, 2026 (Xinhua) -- This undated file photo provided by Xing Lida, an associate professor at China University of Geosciences (Beijing), shows a set of three-toed theropod dinosaur fossil tracks discovered in Xuanhua, north China's Hebei Province. TO GO WITH "Across China: Dinosaur tracks in N China suggest one of slowest […]
- UN-STI FORUM-AI CAPACITY-BUILDING-MEETINGon May 6, 2026
(260506) -- UNITED NATIONS, May 6, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Chen Jiachang (C, front), China's vice minister of science and technology, speaks during the meeting of the Group of Friends for International Cooperation on AI Capacity-Building at the UN headquarters in New York, on May 5, 2026. The meeting of the Group of Friends for International Cooperation on AI […]
- Hong Kong college’s finance director arrested over HK$770,000 embezzlementby Danny Mok on May 6, 2026
The finance director of Hong Kong Chu Hai College has been arrested on suspicion of embezzling HK$770,000 (US$98,262) after the head of the institution reported the case to the police. Jane Zhang, president of the Tuen Mun‑based college, contacted police on April 29 after the Bank of China alerted her on April 17 to three unusual transactions from the […]
- Hong Kong teen lured 4 victims for gang to rob and blackmail, court hearsby Fiona Chow on May 6, 2026
A young woman has been accused of helping to rob four people as a teenager by luring them to a remote area in Hong Kong where her gang was waiting to use violence and take nude photos to force them to pay. Hau Yan-ki, an unemployed 23-year-old, is on trial at the High Court on Wednesday for her role in three alleged robberies that took place in a row […]
- InPics|China reaches the women's team quarterfinals at table tennis team worldson May 6, 2026
(260506) -- LONDON, May 6, 2026 (Xinhua) -- China rallied to beat Sweden 3-0 on Wednesday and reached the women's team quarterfinals at the 2026 ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals.
- China forcing Mandarin education on Tibetan preschoolers to accelerate assimilation, says Human Rights Watch reporton May 6, 2026
Beijing [China], May 6 (ANI): The Human Rights Watch has stated in a report that the Chinese government is enforcing Chinese-medium instruction and ideological influence on kindergarten children as part of efforts to assimilate Tibetans.The 72-page report, titled Start with the Youngest Children: China Uses Preschools to 'Integrate' Tibetans, outlines that […]
- Tai Po fire: inspectors failed to anticipate firms’ deception, inquiry hearsby Brian Wong,Jess Ma on May 6, 2026
Government inspectors did not foresee engineering firms colluding to deceive authorities over the use of substandard renovation materials at a Hong Kong residential estate devastated in the city’s deadliest fire in decades, a public inquiry has heard. Andy Ku Siu-ping, a senior maintenance surveyor with the Housing Bureau’s Independent Checking Unit, on […]
- Hong Kong draws over 1 million mainland ‘golden week’ visitors but spending lagsby Wynna Wong,Eric Jiang on May 6, 2026
Hong Kong welcomed more than 1 million mainland Chinese visitors during their five-day Labour Day “golden week” holiday, a 10 per cent rise from a year ago, exceeding government expectations, but industry leaders have said their spending was inconsistent. Immigration Department data showed the city recorded 1.01 million mainland visitor arrivals between […]
- ETGE, ETNM petition UN for East Turkistan's recognition as non-self-governing territoryon May 6, 2026
Washington DC [US] May 6 (ANI): The East Turkistan Government-in-Exile and the East Turkistan National Movement have submitted a petition to the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonisation, formally requesting that East Turkistan be inscribed as a Non-Self-Governing Territory, according to a release from the ETGE.As cited in the ETGE release, this […]












