China

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

  • Why some Hongkongers take a 6-hour train ride for a Zhangjiajie holiday
    by Ambrose Li on July 12, 2026

    Hongkonger Lam Chun and his family hopped onto a high-speed train for the first time last month for a five-day holiday in Zhangjiajie in Hunan province, finding the experience more suitable for travelling with the elderly. The 54-year-old medical sector professional said he accomplished a mission of travelling with his 90-year-old father and 85-year-old […]

  • Hong Kong probes civil service negligence in 15-year delay over baby blunder case
    by Edith Lin on July 12, 2026

    Hong Kong authorities are reviewing whether any civil servant neglected their duties in a 15-year delay by the Medical Council in handling a complaint against a paediatrician linked to a boy’s permanent disability. Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau told media on Sunday that delays had occurred in different areas that were not supposed to happen throughout […]

  • (SP)CHILE-VINA DEL MAR-RUGBY-WORLD NATIONS CUP
    on July 12, 2026

    (260712) -- VINA DEL MAR, July 12, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Kyle Sullivan (2nd R) of China's Hong Kong defends during the match between Chile and China's Hong Kong at the 2026 World Rugby Nations Cup in Vina Del Mar, Chile, July 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhou Jiayi)

  • Column: Philippines' provocative actions in South China Sea threaten regional stability, strain ASEAN unity
    on July 12, 2026

    by Joseph MatthewsThe Philippines' recent provocative actions in the South China Sea have challenged regional stability, posing risks to the unity of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its centrality in regional affairs.Since its inception in 1967, ASEAN has been anchored in unity and a collective voice. Its core principle holds that […]

  • Hong Kong police arrest 9 in crackdown on dangerous driving
    by Jess Ma on July 12, 2026

    Hong Kong police have arrested nine suspects, including two who were on a wanted list, for serious driving offences during a week-long crackdown on speeding and other road safety breaches. A police spokesman said on Sunday that officers in the New Territories North region launched the law enforcement operation from July 5 to Saturday to maintain road safety […]

  • VIETNAM-DA NANG-FIREWORKS-FESTIVAL
    on July 12, 2026

    (260712) -- DA NANG, July 12, 2026 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on July 11, 2026 shows fireworks presented by the Portuguese team in Da Nang, Vietnam. Vietnam's Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) 2026 concluded in the central city of Da Nang on Saturday night with a grand finale.TO GO WITH "Vietnam's Da Nang int'l firework festival concludes" […]

  • VENEZUELA-LA GUAIRA-CATIA LA MAR-QUAKE ZONE-CHINA-DONATED TENTS
    on July 12, 2026

    (260712) -- LA GUAIRA, July 12, 2026 (Xinhua) -- A man walks among tents donated by China for people affected by two earthquakes at a temporary camp in Catia la Mar, La Guaira state, Venezuela, on July 10, 2026. On the streets of Catia la Mar, a coastal town in La Guaira state and among the areas hit hardest by Venezuela's June 24 twin earthquakes, China's […]

  • Fifa World Cup: Hong Kong pubs, restaurants enjoy net gains from big matches
    by Ambrose Li on July 12, 2026

    Many bars, restaurants and shopping centres in Hong Kong have enjoyed brisk business thanks to the football World Cup, with top nightlife district Lan Kwai Fong recording an up to 70 per cent jump in patronage for this year’s big matches. Lan Kwai Fong Group chairman Allan Zeman told the South China Morning Post that he had joined football fans in the […]

  • Gulf capital flowing into Asia as Hong Kong-Middle East trade up 35%: Paul Chan
    by Edith Lin on July 12, 2026

    Capital from the Gulf region is showing signs of flowing into Asia, Hong Kong’s finance chief has said, as bilateral trade between the Middle East and the city rose by 35 per cent year on year in the first five months of 2026. In his weekly blog on Sunday, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said Hong Kong and the Middle East had deepened ties in the […]

  • 1.7 mn evacuated as typhoon Bavi wreaks havoc in China
    on July 12, 2026

    Beijing [China], July 12 (ANI): Typhoon Bavi, the ninth typhoon of the year, landed on the coast of east China's Zhejiang Province around 11:20 pm on Saturday, Xinhua reported, citing the Zhejiang provincial meteorological observatory.Bavi previously brought strong winds and rain to Japan's southern islands and Taiwan. It was the second typhoon in a week to […]

  • Ageing in Hong Kong – should you fear it?
  • Parents of boy paralysed by medical blunder welcome penalty but vow to fight on
    by Fiona Sun on July 12, 2026

    After 16 years, Li Zhijian and his wife Peng Hongying have finally found a measure of closure in their long pursuit of justice over a medical blunder that left their son paralysed for life in Hong Kong. But the mainland Chinese couple said their fight for accountability was far from over, despite a ruling by the city’s medical watchdog that found a […]

  • 92-year-old war veteran alleges fraudulent sale of allotted land in Rajasthan, seeks justice
    on July 12, 2026

    Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) [India], July 12 (ANI): A 92-year-old retired Indian Army officer, Captain Chunnilal, has alleged that his agricultural land in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer district was fraudulently mortgaged, transferred and sold without his knowledge by using forged documents and an impersonator.Following his complaint, the police have registered a case […]

  • 92-year-old Army veteran alleges fraudulent sale of allotted land in Rajasthan, seeks justice
    on July 12, 2026

    Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) [India], July 12 (ANI): A 92-year-old retired Indian Army officer, Captain Chunnilal, has alleged that his agricultural land in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer district was fraudulently mortgaged, transferred and sold without his knowledge by using forged documents and an impersonator.Following his complaint, the police have registered a case […]

  • Taiwan detects one Chinese naval vessel, four ships operating around its territorial waters
    on July 12, 2026

    Taipei [Taiwan], July 12 (ANI): Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) on Saturday (local time) said it detected one People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessel and four official Chinese ships operating around Taiwan. In a post on X, the MND said the Republic of China (ROC) Armed Forces monitored the situation and responded accordingly.'1 PLAN vessels […]

  • GHANA-ACCRA-CHINESE FIRM-CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE-DONATION
    on July 12, 2026

    (260712) -- ACCRA, July 12, 2026 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on July 10, 2026 shows a school building of Zenaddo International School in Accra, of Ghana. China Railway No. 5 Engineering Group (CR5) Ghana Limited and the Confucius Institute at the University of Ghana (CIUG) have donated educational materials to a school in the Ghanaian capital of Accra to […]

  • Youth suicides in Hong Kong hit 10-year high: court report
    by Emily Hung on July 12, 2026

    Youth suicide cases confirmed by Hong Kong Coroner’s Court reached a decade-high last year, despite a 10 per cent overall decline across the population to 1,019. According to the annual coroners’ report published last month, suicide cases confirmed by the court declined across almost all age groups, except for those aged between 10 and 19. Last year, 46 […]

  • Chinese envoy backs stronger India-China business ties, celebrates return of Dragon Boat Festival in Kolkata
    on July 11, 2026

    Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], July 12 (ANI): Chinese Consul General in Kolkata, Xu Wei, expressed optimism about the future of India-China business relations, saying both countries stand to benefit from stronger economic cooperation and increased exchanges. 'China and India's business relations are advancing. As long as both China and India can benefit […]

  • Tibetan activists protest at UN over China's new ethnic unity law
    on July 11, 2026

    New York [US], July 11 (ANI): Three members of the Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) staged a protest outside the United Nations headquarters in New York by chaining themselves to the gates, demanding stronger international action over China's policies in Tibet and the death of Tibetan activist Lobga Rangzen.The demonstration came during the week marking the […]

  • China Chat | South China Sea: What History Reveals
    on July 11, 2026

    Disputes have troubled the waters of the South China Sea for decades. But who has the true claim to sovereignty?In this episode of China Chat, host Miao Xiaojuan speaks with curator Xin Lixue at the China (Hainan) Museum of the South China Sea, where shipwrecks, punch bowls, and handwritten route books all have a story to tell!A Miao Xiaojuan Studio FilmA […]

  • CHINA-GUANGXI-TYPHOON-FLOOD-RESCUE (CN)
    on July 11, 2026

    (260711) -- NANNING, July 11, 2026 (Xinhua) -- An aerial drone photo shows rescuers heading towards Zhenlong Township of Hengzhou, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, July 11, 2026. Triggered by Typhoon Maysak, the tenth typhoon of the year, heavy downpours battered multiple areas in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, resulting in a […]

  • FOCUS | China steps up emergency response as Typhoon Bavi nears
    on July 11, 2026

    BEIJING, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese authorities on Saturday intensified emergency response measures with Typhoon Bavi set to slam into the country's eastern coast, resulting in meteorological, water resources, transport and emergency management authorities issuing alerts and reinforcing flood-control efforts ahead of the expected landfall. The country's […]

  • THE PHILIPPINES-MANILA-CHINESE EMBASSY-OPEN HOUSE DAY
    on July 11, 2026

    (260711) -- MANILA, July 11, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Visitors experience lacquer fan decorating during an Open House Day held at the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines in Manila, the Philippines, on July 11, 2026. The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines held an Open House Day on Saturday, welcoming over 1,000 members of the local community. During the event, […]

  • Economic Watch: Created-by-China wins global consumers with smarter products, solutions
    on July 11, 2026

    WARSAW, July 11 (Xinhua) -- China's intelligent manufacturing is winning more overseas customers with smarter products and integrated solutions, as innovation and technology become key drivers in exports.The shift is well reflected in China's foreign trade performance. Data from the General Administration of Customs shows the country's exports of high-tech […]

  • China expands early pregnancy care, empowers youth
    on July 11, 2026

    BEIJING, July 11 (Xinhua) -- At a maternal and child healthcare hospital in Chongqing Municipality, southwest China, expectant mothers receive their first prenatal consultations at the early pregnancy care clinic.The clinic provides a range of services for women within 14 weeks of pregnancy, including medical support, psychological counseling, and health […]

  • Extreme weather highlights need for deeper China-EU climate cooperation
    on July 11, 2026

    BEIJING, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Western Europe saw its hottest June on record this year, as searing heat claimed lives, disrupted power supplies and drove up demand for cooling products across the region, underscoring the urgency for Europe to adapt to a changing climate marked by more frequent and severe extreme weather events.With climate change posing an […]

  • Student of the Year Awards: past winners gather to celebrate decades of excellence
    by Emily Tsang on July 11, 2026

    Generations of alumni returned to the stage on Saturday to mark the 45th anniversary of the Student of the Year Awards, celebrating a decades-long history of recognising high-achieving Hong Kong pupils who have gone on to become distinguished professionals, from medical experts and acclaimed musicians to Olympic athletes. Among the returning alumni was Dr […]

  • Beijing activates highest flood control emergency response in 9 districts
    on July 11, 2026

    BEIJING, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Nine districts in Beijing activated a Level-I emergency response for flood control on Saturday afternoon after a red alert for torrential rain was issued for these regions.Downpours are forecast to batter the districts of Fangshan, Pinggu, Miyun, Huairou, Mentougou, Fengtai, Daxing, Tongzhou and Shunyi, mostly in the suburbs, […]

  • FOCUS | Zhejiang ramps up disaster prevention efforts as Typhoon Bavi nears
    on July 11, 2026

    HANGZHOU, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Zhejiang Province in east China raised its typhoon emergency response to the highest level on Saturday as Typhoon Bavi, the 9th typhoon of 2026, barrels toward the country's eastern coast, triggering widespread disaster prevention efforts across multiple provincial-level regions. According to Zhejiang Meteorological […]

  • (SP)CHINA-HONG KONG-VOLLEYBALL-NATIONS LEAGUE-WOMEN-CHN VS DOM (CN)
    on July 11, 2026

    (260711) -- HONG KONG, July 11, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Gong Xiangyu (L) of China spikes the ball during the match between China and the Dominican Republic at the Women's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2026 in Hong Kong, south China, July 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Lo Ping Fai)

  • ‘Observatoly’ street sign error prompts Highways Department to review checks
    by Connor Mycroft on July 11, 2026

    Hong Kong authorities have said that a street sign mistakenly spelled as “Observatoly” was due to a contractor relying on an “old, scratched” marker to make the new one, a slip-up that has amused residents online. Images shared by residents on social media showed the street sign for Observatory Road in Tsim Sha Tsui erroneously written as […]

  • FOCUS | China ramps up disaster prevention efforts as Typhoon Bavi nears Zhejiang
    on July 11, 2026

    (260711) -- WENZHOU, July 11, 2026 (Xinhua) -- A deliveryman rides amid wind and rain in Yueqing of Wenzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, July 11, 2026. Zhejiang Province in east China raised its typhoon emergency response to the highest level on Saturday as Typhoon Bavi, the 9th typhoon of 2026, barrels toward the country's eastern coast, triggering […]

  • CHINA-CHONGQING-CROSS-STRAIT ACTIVITIES (CN)
    on July 11, 2026

    (260711) -- CHONGQING, July 11, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Kids from both sides of the Taiwan Strait participate in an event at the Chongqing Natural History Museum in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, July 10, 2026. From July 9 to 12, young people from China's Taiwan and Chongqing participate in a series of cultural events in Chongqing. A total of 40 kids […]

  • Nearly 60% of foreign inflows into India-focused funds withdrawn since 2024 peak: Report
    on July 11, 2026

    New Delhi [India], July 11 (ANI): Nearly 60 per cent of the foreign money that flowed into India-focused equity funds during the 2023-24 investment rally has now been withdrawn as global investors continue to shift capital towards artificial intelligence (AI)-linked opportunities, according to an Elara Capital research report.The report said India-focused […]

  • Nepal PM's pending India visit to take place 'soon'; details being worked out
    on July 11, 2026

    By Vishu Adhana Kathmandu [Nepal], July 11 (ANI): Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah's pending visit to India is expected to take place 'very soon', with both sides currently working out the details, sources in Kathmandu told ANI.Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen, has accepted an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit New Delhi. […]

  • CHINA-BEIJING-TYPHOON BAVI-PREVENTION-TEMPORARY SHELTERS (CN)
    on July 11, 2026

    (260711) -- BEIJING, July 11, 2026 (Xinhua) -- People are pictured at a temporary shelter in Pinggu District in Beijing, capital of China, July 11, 2026. Beijing is still under a Level II flood control emergency response as continuous heavy rainfall lashes the city, with eight of its districts activating the highest level flood response. As of Saturday […]

  • Student of the Year Awards: 40 pupils lauded as organiser reveals expansion plan
    by Emily Tsang on July 11, 2026

    A Ying Wa College pupil who took home the Student of the Year Awards’ grand prize was among 40 outstanding peers who received top honours on Saturday, as the event organiser announced a major expansion to mark its 45th anniversary. Starting next year, the awards scheme will feature a new category for artificial intelligence (AI) literacy to underscore the […]

  • FOCUS | China ramps up disaster prevention efforts as Typhoon Bavi nears east coast
    on July 11, 2026

    (260711) -- BEIJING, July 11, 2026 (Xinhua) -- An aerial drone photo taken on July 11, 2026 shows vessels mooring along the shore in response to the incoming typhoon in Huzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. Zhejiang Province in east China raised its typhoon emergency response to the highest level on Saturday as Typhoon Bavi, the 9th typhoon of 2026, […]

  • China ramps up disaster prevention efforts as Typhoon Bavi nears east coast
    on July 11, 2026

    HANGZHOU, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Zhejiang Province in east China raised its typhoon emergency response to the highest level on Saturday as Typhoon Bavi, the 9th typhoon of 2026, barrels toward the country's eastern coast, triggering widespread disaster prevention efforts across multiple provincial-level regions.According to Zhejiang Meteorological Observatory, […]

  • UK VAT on private schools triggers record decline in Hong Kong students
    by William Yiu on July 11, 2026

    Hong Kong student numbers at UK private schools experienced a record decline after Britain imposed a 20 per cent tax on fees last year, with enrolment falling by 17 per cent and new admissions down by 26 per cent. A consultant specialising in student recruitment for British private schools said enrolment had returned to levels seen before Hong Kong’s […]

  • 65 arrested in Hong Kong crackdown targeting illicit triad-linked income sources
    by Fiona Sun on July 11, 2026

    Hong Kong police have arrested 65 people, including 11 sex workers and 54 others involved in suspected illegal gambling, in a two-day joint crackdown with fire services and immigration authorities targeting triad-linked income sources. The force said on Saturday that another three people were issued summonses for running an illegal petrol station during the […]

  • Hong Kong police chief defends plan to deny pay rises to bottom 5% of performers
    by Ng Kang-chung on July 11, 2026

    Hong Kong’s police chief has defended a controversial government reform of the appraisal system that will deny a pay rise to the bottom 5 per cent of performers, despite concerns raised by frontline officers. Commissioner of Police Joe Chow Yat-ming said on Saturday that management would step up efforts to explain the new policy to staff through various […]

  • Typhoon Bavi: more than 130 flights connecting Hong Kong to region axed
    by Connor Mycroft on July 11, 2026

    More than 130 flights between Hong Kong, Taiwan, mainland China and Japan have been cancelled, while 10 high-speed rail services have been suspended as Typhoon Bavi barrels towards China’s east coast. Hong Kong International Airport’s webpage showed that 64 inbound flights and 71 outbound flights were cancelled on Saturday, with more than half scheduled […]

  • China evacuates more than 600,000 people as Typhoon Bavi approaches
    on July 11, 2026

    WENZHOU, 11th July, 2026 (WAM) -- Chinese authorities today evacuated more than 600,000 people from Zhejiang and Fujian provinces as Typhoon Bavi approached the country's eastern coast, with landfall expected near the city of Wenzhou in the early hours of Sunday.State media reported that the evacuations included more than 500,000 people in Zhejiang Province […]

  • CHINA-BEIJING-LI QIANG-DPRK CABINET-PREMIER-TALKS (CN)
    on July 11, 2026

    (260711) -- BEIJING, July 11, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, holds talks with Pak Thae Song, premier of the Cabinet of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), also a member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of […]

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