| 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
- "Puppet of foreign powers": Nitin Nabin slams Rahul Gandhi over foreign visits; alleges Nehru-Gandhi family "compromise mission"on February 25, 2026
Patna (Bihar) [India], February 25 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President Nitin Nabin on Wednesday accused the Nehru-Gandhi family of pursuing a 'compromise mission' that prioritized personal and foreign interests over national welfare, describing Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi as a 'puppet of foreign powers'. Speaking to the media, Nabin […]
- CHINA-BEIJING-GERMAN CHANCELLOR-VISIT-ARRIVAL (CN)on February 25, 2026
(260225) -- BEIJING, Feb. 25, 2026 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrives in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 25, 2026. Merz arrived here on Wednesday for an official visit to China through Thursday. (Xinhua/Dai Tianfang)
- HSBC profit falls but shares gain on outlook for stronger returns and stable dividendsby Enoch Yiu on February 25, 2026
HSBC Holdings, the largest banking group in Europe and Hong Kong by assets, on Wednesday reported a 7 per cent decline in annual profit, but outlined stronger return goals and a sustainable dividend policy as it looked ahead to 2026 and beyond, with shares rising after the results in a show of investor confidence. Pre-tax profit in 2025 dropped to US$29.9 […]
- Russian king crab takes center stage at Chinese dining tableson February 25, 2026
CHANGCHUN, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Wang Xue, a resident of Beijing, booked a Russian king crab for the Chinese New Year's Eve dinner. She saw on the logistics app on the morning of Feb. 15 that the crab had already departed from the airport in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province.Wang was eagerly awaiting the feast, where this impressive king […]
- Budget 2026-27: Hong Kong bets big on AI, chips, Northern Metropolis with new tax breaksby SCMP Reporters on February 25, 2026
This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Hong Kong finance chief Paul Chan Mo-po unveiled his latest budget on Wednesday, revealing an earlier-than-expected operating surplus after three years of deficits. While the improved fiscal position – driven by a […]
- Spring Festival remixed -- robots, reinvented traditions and a global welcomeon February 25, 2026
BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Russian social media influencer Liakhova Albina, who is based on China's tropical Hainan Island, had a whirlwind Spring Festival. She decorated her home with red couplets, browsed bustling holiday markets, prepared a Chinese New Year's Eve feast, and watched a dazzling display of drones and fireworks -- sharing each moment with […]
- Hong Kong investment company HKIC to get expanded remit after early gainsby Jeffie Lam on February 25, 2026
All eyes on Wednesday will be on how the government plans to give a big push to its latest investment darling, the Hong Kong Investment Corporation, its three-year-old vehicle that has yielded impressive early gains. Sources told the South China Morning Post that HKIC would come up as a key highlight in Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po’s budget […]
- Hong Kong inspector dies after shooting herself inside police station, probe under wayby Jess Ma on February 25, 2026
Hong Kong police have launched an investigation into the death of a 23-year-old inspector who shot herself with a pistol inside the Kwun Tong police station. The force said the inspector, who was attached to the Patrol Sub-unit of the Kwun Tong District, shot herself in the loading and unloading area of the police station at about 7.45am on Wednesday. Local […]
- Taiwan detects 5 Chinese vessels operating around its territoryon February 25, 2026
Taipei [Taiwan], February 25 (ANI): Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence on Wednesday said it detected five Chinese vessels operating near its territorial waters as of 6 am (local time). The ROC Armed Forces monitored the situation and responded, while no PLA aircraft were observed in the area during this period.In a post on X, MND stated, '5 PLAN vessel […]
- Xinhua Commentary: China-Germany cooperation a pillar of stability in uncertain worldon February 25, 2026
BERLIN, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is paying his first official visit to China on Wednesday. For the world's second- and third-largest economies, the trip presents a good opportunity to enhance mutual understanding, strengthen pragmatic cooperation and jointly contribute more to world peace and prosperity.At a time when the world […]
- ‘Huge funds’ for tech hub, incentives for aerospace sector in Hong Kong budget: sourcesby Olga Wong,Matthew Cheng,Theodora Yu on February 25, 2026
Hong Kong’s finance chief will earmark substantial funds for a new innovation hub near the border with mainland China and include incentives to attract more aerospace players to the city in his budget, government sources have said. Highlighting innovation as a key theme of Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po’s budget speech to be delivered on Wednesday, […]
- SFC moves to freeze assets of 3 insider traders who have left Hong Kongby Enoch Yiu on February 24, 2026
The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has secured for the first time separate court orders in Hong Kong and the UK to freeze HK$4.3 million (US$552,948) in assets belonging to three alleged insider traders – including a former Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) staffer – who have left the city. The city’s Court of First Instance granted a […]
- IPs, superyachts and more: can budget spark Hong Kong’s purple patch?by Matthew Cheng on February 24, 2026
Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po will deliver his annual budget on Wednesday, unveiling measures to accelerate the city’s economic recovery after balancing the books, amid mounting expectations for more “sweeteners” in the blueprint. The 2026-27 budget also marks the government’s first major test in aligning the city with mainland […]
- TRKIYE-ANKARA-CHINA-ACUPUNCTURE-POPULARITYon February 24, 2026
(260224) -- ANKARA, Feb. 24, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Dr. Mustafa Ciftci, vice president of the Trkiye Acupuncture Association, operates acupuncture treatment on a patient at his clinic in Ankara, Trkiye on Feb. 17, 2026. TO GO WITH "Feature: Acupuncture gains ground in Trkiye as trust in ancient Chinese therapy grows" (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)
- TURKMENISTAN-ASHGABAT-CHINESE NEW YEAR-CELEBRATIONon February 24, 2026
(260224) -- ASHGABAT, Feb. 24, 2026 (Xinhua) -- An artist performs a dance at a "Happy Chinese New Year" celebration event in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Feb. 23, 2026. (Chinese Embassy in Turkmenistan/Handout via Xinhua)
- Small stamps, big bridge: Aland's zodiac series connects Nordic isles with Chinaon February 24, 2026
Aland's connection with the Chinese zodiac began in late 2014, when its first zodiac-themed stamp for the Year of the Goat received an enthusiastic response.by Zhu Haochen, Elina XuHELSINKI, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- For more than a decade, Aland Post in Finland's autonomous Aland Islands has issued stamp series themed on the Chinese zodiac, with the newly […]
- EU has a key role to play in the new world order in the makingby Harvey Rouse on February 24, 2026
The maxim, “The strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must”, attributed to the Athenian historian Thucydides, described the reality of world politics for millennia. Today there are forces that wish to see a return to a world where “might equals right”. The European Union, born out of the ashes of war to secure lasting peace, stands […]
- CCP expands travel restrictions to lower-ranking retired officials across Chinaon February 24, 2026
Beijing [China], February 24 (ANI): The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has intensified oversight of retired officials by introducing stricter curbs on their overseas travel, insiders from multiple provinces told The Epoch Times (TET).In recent months, authorities in Beijing have also expanded restrictions on public employees, Catholic clergy, and private […]
- NBC: Milan Cortina Olympics ratings up 96% over Beijingon February 24, 2026
(Photo credit: Nick King/Lansing State Journal/USA TODAY Network / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)NBC Sports struck ratings gold this month with its coverage of the Milan Cortina Olympics on NBC stations and the streaming platform Peacock.The network averaged 23.5 million viewers to become the most watched Winter Olympics since Sochi in 2014, while […]
- CHINA-XI JINPING-BOOKS-DEBUT (CN)on February 24, 2026
(260224) -- BEIJING, Feb. 24, 2026 (Xinhua) -- This photo shows a book of the English edition of the first volume of "China's Governance Under Xi Jinping's Leadership." The Xinhua Publishing House, the publishing arm of Xinhua News Agency, has released the first volume of "China's Governance Under Xi Jinping's Leadership." Compiled by Xinhua, the book is […]
- Nagal powers through; Dhamne impresses at Maha Open ATP Challenger Men's Championshipson February 24, 2026
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], February 24 (ANI): India's top-ranked tennis star Sumit Nagal delivered a commanding performance while local teenager and the country's rising youngster Manas Dhamne showcased nerves of steel to spearhead the Indian charge in the Maha Open ATP Challenger 75 Men's Tennis Championship at the Balewadi Stadium on Tuesday, according […]
- Xinhua publishes book on China's governance under Xi's leadershipon February 24, 2026
BEIJING, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Xinhua Publishing House, the publishing arm of Xinhua News Agency, has released the first volume of "China's Governance Under Xi Jinping's Leadership."Compiled by Xinhua, the book is available in both Chinese and English versions and is being distributed to readers at home and abroad.Since the 18th Communist Party of China […]
- FRANCE-PARIS-CHINESE NEW YEAR-CELEBRATIONon February 24, 2026
(260224) -- PARIS, Feb. 24, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Performers led by a humanoid robot take part in a parade celebrating the Chinese New Year on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris, France, on Feb. 1, 2026. TO GO WITH "Roundup: Future-oriented Chinese New Year in France blends tradition, technology" (Xinhua/Zhang Baihui)
- Xinhua Headlines: China's Spring Festival spending boosts business for global marketson February 24, 2026
* During the Chinese New Year holiday, China's consumer market has remained vibrant, with bustling shopping malls and heavy travel flows reflecting robust domestic demand and growing global appeal.* High-quality imported festive goods are gaining popularity among Chinese consumers. The Chinese New Year has evolved into not only a major cultural celebration […]
- Former Tibetan political prisoners offer 'Long Life Prayer' to Dalai Lama, allege repression in Tibeton February 24, 2026
Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh) [India], February 24 (ANI): Former Tibetan political detainees, along with the Lhasa Boys' Association Switzerland, presented a Long Life Prayer ceremony to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama at the Main Tibetan Temple in Dharamshala, according to a report by Phayul.The ceremony, held on Monday, included a deeply emotional […]
- Hong Kong fire department to review strategies following Tai Po infernoby Jess Ma on February 24, 2026
Hong Kong’s Fire Services Department has launched an internal review to improve its strategies for tackling large-scale blazes following the deadly Wang Fuk Court inferno, with officers set to examine operational effectiveness and equipment use. Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung Yan-kin said on Tuesday that his deputy for operations, Derek Armstrong […]
- Update: China's Spring Festival box office softens to 5.75 bln yuan as "Pegasus 3" triumphson February 24, 2026
by Xinhua writer Zhang YunlongBEIJING, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- China's film market registered 5.75 billion yuan (about 829 million U.S. dollars) in ticket sales during the nine-day Spring Festival holiday that ended on Monday, China Film Administration data showed on Tuesday. The lucrative cinematic window demonstrated its enduring pull despite the absence of a […]
- Holiday spending soars as record-long Spring Festival fuels economic vitalityon February 24, 2026
BEIJING, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- From bustling ski slopes in Heilongjiang Province in China's far northeast to booming duty-free shopping in south China's Hainan Province, the country's record-long Spring Festival holiday saw a surge in travel, retail activity and tech-powered consumption, underscoring the country's economic vitality and growing global […]
- Spirit of Hong Kong Awards: John Lee hails ‘role models’ as firefighters fetedby Lam Ka-sing,Jimmy Chow on February 24, 2026
Hong Kong firefighters have been honoured for their heroic response to November’s deadly Tai Po fire – the city’s worst in decades – at the 13th Spirit of Hong Kong Awards, which celebrates unsung heroes who contribute to the community or inspire others through stories of resilience and perseverance. The Fire Services Department received an […]
- Why China’s path to ‘financial superpower’ status could begin in Hong Kongby Enoch Yiu on February 24, 2026
When Wilson Chan Fung-cheung joined Hong Kong’s banking industry as a foreign-exchange trader more than four decades ago, his work involved US dollars, UK pounds, Japanese yen and various European and Asian currencies – but not Chinese yuan. “Back then, there was no yuan trading at all as, in fact, the internationalisation of the yuan only started in […]
- (SP)INDONESIA-JAKARTA-FENCING-ASIAN CADET AND JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP-JUNIOR WOMEN'S SABREon February 24, 2026
(260224) -- JAKARTA, Feb. 24, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Winner Pan Qimiao of China poses for photos on the podium after winning the junior women's sabre final match at the Asian Cadet and Junior Fencing Championship 2026 in Jakarta, Feb. 24, 2026. (Xinhua/Veri Sanovri)
- Congress workers hold protests in several states against IYC chief's arreston February 24, 2026
New Delhi [India], February 24 (ANI): Congress workers on Tuesday held protests in several states against the arrest of Indian Youth Congress chief Uday Bhanu Chib, who was sent into a four-day police custody in connection with the AI Impact Summit protest.National Student Union of India (NSUI), the student wing of Congress, protested in the national […]
- Hong Kong firm to test tokenised concert stakes ahead of digital gold tradingby Ambrose Li on February 24, 2026
People will soon be able to buy Ethereum-based investment tokens for concerts in March and April, laying the groundwork for the introduction of tokenised gold in Hong Kong, according to an industry leader. Esperanza Fintech Group CEO Dan Ronald Leung Wai-tsun said on Tuesday the initiative would test public appetite for tokenised assets through […]
- Interview: China remains best choice for German companies -- economiston February 24, 2026
"While global uncertainty has raged in recent years, business cooperation between both countries remained resilient," said renowned German economist Hermann Simon.BERLIN, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- China remains the best choice for German companies, as China's push for technological self-reliance, industrial upgrade and high-quality growth creates long-term […]
- Hong Kong medical officer suspended over indecent assault charge against colleagueby Danny Mok on February 24, 2026
A senior officer with Hong Kong’s Auxiliary Medical Service has been suspended after being arrested and charged with indecent assault against a female colleague. Chief Staff Officer Alex Wong Ying‑keung was taken into custody this month, the South China Morning Post has learned. The victim was reportedly a senior female colleague. Wong has been charged […]
- PM Modi compromised, agreed to trade deal amid pressure from Trump: Rahul Gandhion February 24, 2026
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], February 24 (ANI): Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday, trained guns at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the India-United States trade deal framework, calling him 'compromised' and alleging pressure that the former is 'under pressure'.Addressing Congress' Kisan Mahachaupal in Bhopal, Gandhi challenged […]
- Update: Chinese FM spokesperson briefs media on arrangements for German Chancellor Merz's visit to Chinaon February 24, 2026
BEIJING, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Tuesday briefed the media on the arrangements for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to China, which will take place from Feb. 25 to 26.Mao noted at a regular news briefing that this visit is Merz's first trip to China since taking office. During the visit, President Xi […]
- #CHINA-WORK-RESUMPTION (CN)on February 24, 2026
(260224) -- BEIJING, Feb. 24, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Workers work at a glass plant in Renshou County, Meishan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Feb. 24, 2026. Factories and companies across China resumed work after the Spring Festival holiday on Tuesday. (Photo by Pan Jianyong/Xinhua)
- CHINA-WORK-RESUMPTION (CN)on February 24, 2026
(260224) -- BEIJING, Feb. 24, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Workers work at a plant of a dairy company in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Feb. 24, 2026. Factories and companies across China resumed work after the Spring Festival holiday on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)
- Hong Kong visitor numbers jump for Chinese New Year holiday as gold sales shineby Wynna Wong,Harvey Kong on February 24, 2026
Visitor numbers in Hong Kong rose about 14 per cent during the Chinese New Year holiday but more residents left the city, while local retailers reported bumper sales of gold products. Some retailers reported single purchases worth millions of Hong Kong dollars within categories such as watches and jewellery, even as the broader retail recovery remained […]
- #CHINA-SPRING FESTIVAL HOLIDAY-RAILWAY-121 MLN PASSENGER TRIPS (CN)on February 24, 2026
(260224) -- BEIJING, Feb. 24, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Passengers are seen on a platform at Harbin Railway Station in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 22, 2026. China's railways handled 121 million passenger trips during the just-concluded Spring Festival holiday, up 11.5 percent compared with last year's holiday period, official data showed on […]
- Hockey India congratulates Jarmanpreet Singh on completing 150 international capson February 24, 2026
New Delhi [India], February 24 (ANI): Hockey India on Tuesday congratulated the Indian Men's Hockey Team defender Jarmanpreet Singh for the remarkable milestone of completing 150 international caps for India. The accomplished defender achieved the feat when India faced Spain in their third match of the Hobart leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2025/26 in […]
- Retired athlete ignites youth ski dreams, fuels winter economy in China's Xinjiangon February 24, 2026
URUMQI, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- On the snow-blanketed plains of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Yeersen Shenwohen was leading several teenagers as they struggled upward from the bottom of the ski slope on their narrow skis.After retiring in 2022, the former cross-country skier returned to his hometown on the alpine valley grassland of Narat […]
- "I am proud of my son": Mother of IYC Chief urges youth to become Bhagat Singh after son's arreston February 24, 2026
Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], February 24 (ANI): Following the arrest of Indian Youth Congress (IYC) President Uday Bhanu Chib in connection with the protest during the AI India Impact Summit 2026, his mother, Rajni Bala, on Tuesday said that she was proud of her son while defending the protest.Speaking to ANI, Bala said that the protest at Bharat […]
- CHINA-HUBEI-WUHAN-EVTOL AIRCRAFT-ROBOTS (CN)on February 24, 2026
(260224) -- WUHAN, Feb. 24, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Humanoid robots play football in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 24, 2026. A variety of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and humanoid robots made their debut at an event in Wuhan, showcasing the province's latest achievements of industries such as low-altitude economy and […]
















