| 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
- (SP)PHILIPPINES-TAGAYTAY CITY-CYCLING-2026 ASIAN TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPSon March 29, 2026
(260329) -- TAGAYTAY CITY, March 29, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Cyclists compete in the men's elite points race at the 2026 Asian Track Championships in Tagaytay City, the Philippines, on March 28, 2026. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)
- (SP)CZECH REPUBLIC-PRAGUE-FIGURE SKATING-ISU WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS-MEN SINGLE SKATING-FREE SKATINGon March 29, 2026
(260329) -- PRAGUE, March 29, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Gold medalist Ilia Malinin (C) of the United States, silver medalist Kagiyama Yuma (L) of Japan and bronze medalist Sato Shun of Japan pose during the awarding ceremony for the men single skating at the ISU Figure Skating World Championships 2026 in Prague, the Czech Republic, March 28, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang […]
- China launches nationwide long-term care insurance systemon March 29, 2026
BEIJING, China: China is moving to strengthen support for its aging population by rolling out a nationwide long-term care insurance system to ease pressure on families and expand social welfare coverage. The plan, released by China's State Council, will provide services or financial support for basic nursing and medical care for people with disabilities who […]
- China's brain-computer interface development shifts into high gearon March 29, 2026
BEIJING, March 29 (Xinhua) -- At an exhibition held during the ongoing 2026 Zhongguancun Forum (ZGC Forum) in Beijing, a range of brain-computer interface (BCI) products -- from specialized chips to rehabilitation systems -- drew large crowds."Brain-computer interface technology is advancing rapidly, and its applications are expanding," said Zhao Jizong, a […]
- (SP)FRANCE-PARIS-ARTISTIC SWIMMING-WORLD CUP 2026-MIXED DUET TECHNICALon March 29, 2026
(260329) -- PARIS, March 29, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Neutral athletes Alina Rumiantseva (R) and Zakhar Trofimov compete during the mixed duet technical final at the World Aquatics Artistic Swimming World Cup 2026 - Stop 2 in Paris, France, March 28, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)
- Errors in Hong Kong Tai Po blaze hearing transcript raise transparency concernsby Matthew Cheng on March 29, 2026
The official transcript of a public hearing into Hong Kong’s deadliest blaze in decades has wrongly recorded several key details, the South China Morning Post has found, prompting an academic to urge that future proceedings be live-streamed to strengthen transparency and public trust. The errors included incorrect figures for the number of residents who […]
- The great illusion of NATO is fading faston March 28, 2026
America steps back, and the Alliance starts to wobbleOne of the more idealistic ambitions of the last Soviet leadership was the simultaneous dissolution of both Cold War blocs, NATO and the Warsaw Pact. Only half of that vision came to pass. The Warsaw Pact disappeared in the spring of 1991. NATO didn't. Instead, it endured and expanded.Over the following […]
- Chinese firms eye bigger EU footprint despite policy uncertaintyon March 28, 2026
Nearly 80 percent of surveyed Chinese firms said they planned to expand investment in the bloc over the next three years, with around 15 percent saying they would increase investment significantly, according to a report.BRUSSELS, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese companies are planning to deepen their presence in the European Union (EU) market despite concerns […]
- "Raja vs Rajkumar":Congress torn apart by internal power clash in Assam, says Shivraj Singh Chouhanon March 28, 2026
Guwahati (Assam) [India], March 29(ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Assam Pradesh, has underscored the remarkable transformation of Assam under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma while sharply criticising the Congress party for what Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan described as […]
- "All I've been thinking about is March 31": Ryan Williams on representing Indiaon March 28, 2026
Kochi (Kerala) [India], March 28 (ANI): Australia-born Ryan Williams is set to potentially make his debut for the India national football team on March 31 in Kochi against the Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers, according to the All India Football Federation (AIFF). The 32-year-old received FIFA clearance in last November after a long […]
- Kimi Antonelli leads 1-2 Mercedes qualifying for Japanese Grand Prixon March 28, 2026
(Photo credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images)Formula 1 teen sensation Kimi Antonelli of Italy grabbed his second consecutive pole position when he was fastest in qualifying in advance of Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, Japan.The 19-year-old became the youngest driver ever to earn an F1 pole position last week and went on to win the first F1 race of […]
- China's patent footprint in Europe expanding rapidly, says EPO officialon March 28, 2026
The EPO Technology Dashboard 2025 showed that Chinese companies and researchers filed a record 22,031 patent applications with the EPO in 2025, with China becoming the office's third-largest source of patent applications for the first time.BERLIN, March 28 (Xinhua) -- China's patent footprint in Europe is expanding at an accelerating pace, extending beyond […]
- Hong Kong airport caps power banks to 2 per passenger in line with global ruleby Danny Mok on March 28, 2026
All passengers departing from Hong Kong International Airport are now prohibited from carrying more than two power banks, effective immediately, the Airport Authority announced on Saturday night. Citing new rules from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Airport Authority said the global aviation body had announced the requirements to […]
- After "The Three-Body Problem," Chinese sci-fi writers expand once-niche scene, draw global attentionon March 28, 2026
BEIJING, March 28 (Xinhua) -- "Flickering like fireflies in the dark," renowned Chinese sci-fi writer Liu Cixin wrote in the early 2000s, describing a small, largely unnoticed community of Chinese sci-fi writers and fans. "But like spring grass, we are spreading."A little over a decade later, Liu's "The Three-Body Problem" captured global acclaim with the […]
- Late penalty earns China U-23 draw with DPR Korea at International Youth Tournamenton March 28, 2026
XI'AN, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Xiang Yuwang converted a late penalty as China's under-23 men's team managed a 1-1 draw against the DPR Korea at the International Youth Tournament here on Saturday.China made six changes to its starting lineup from Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Thailand.The DPR Korea threatened early when Choe Ryong-il's long-range effort was saved […]
- CHINA-BEIJING-SCIENCE FICTION WRITERS-SEMINAR (CN)on March 28, 2026
(260328) -- BEIJING, March 28, 2026 (Xinhua) -- A seminar on introducing China's rising science fiction writers to the world is held at the bookstore Page One in downtown Beijing, capital of China, on March 26, 2026. TO GO WITH "China Focus: After 'The Three-Body Problem,' Chinese sci-fi writers expand once-niche scene, draw global attention" (Xinhua)
- ETHIOPIA-ADDIS ABABA-GAC-FLAGSHIP SHOWROOM-LAUNCHINGon March 28, 2026
(260328) -- ADDIS ABABA, March 28, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Alemu Sime, Ethiopia's Minister of Transport and Logistics, speaks during the launching event of GAC JUNTU flagship showroom in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, March 27, 2026. Chinese automaker Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd (GAC Group) has introduced its four new electric vehicle (EV) models to the Ethiopian […]
- Boy’s heart stops for 16 minutes after tube comes loose in Hong Kong hospitalby Danny Mok on March 28, 2026
A probe has been launched into a serious medical incident in which a six‑year‑old boy’s heart stopped for about 16 minutes at Hong Kong Children’s Hospital after his breathing tube came loose from the ventilator. The hospital on Saturday said it was “deeply concerned” about the case. “The hospital has taken immediate measures to strengthen the […]
- Sufferings of former serfs in old Xizang in Western accounts and their new life todayon March 28, 2026
LHASA, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Pudron, in her eighties, sits on a thick Tibetan sofa in her sunlit home, dressed in vibrant traditional attire, with a silver necklace gleaming around her neck.The two-story house, fitted with a television, stereo and butter churn, stands in sharp contrast to the dwelling seven decades ago, when her family of six huddled in a […]
- (Int'l Exchange) MALAYSIA-MALACCA-MINNAN CULTURAL WEEKon March 28, 2026
(260328) -- MALACCA, March 28, 2026 (Xinhua) -- A visitor takes photos of exhibits at an art exhibition during the 2026 Malacca Minnan Cultural Week in Malacca, Malaysia, on March 28, 2026. The three-day event kicked off here on Saturday, aiming to promote cultural exchanges between China and Malaysia, and jointly advance the protection and inheritance of […]
- BOTSWANA-GABORONE-SECONDARY SCHOOL-CHINESE BRIDGE-COMPETITIONon March 28, 2026
(260328) -- GABORONE, March 28, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Jaden Jacob from the Motswedi Community Junior Secondary School performs Chinese Gongfu during his talent show at the final of the "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Botswanan secondary school students in Gaborone, Botswana, March 27, 2026. The final of the "Chinese Bridge" Chinese […]
- New literary voices emerge from everyday life in Chinaon March 28, 2026
BEIJING, March 28 (Xinhua) -- On a mild spring morning in Beijing, a group of writers gathered at the National Museum of Modern Chinese Literature. They had traveled from across the country.Some were from rural villages in the northwest and others from factory towns in the south. Some had spent years working as domestic helpers, construction workers or […]
- Hong Kong MTR track intrusion prompts calls for tougher penalties, educationby Ng Kang-chung on March 28, 2026
Hong Kong railway experts have called for tougher penalties and stronger public education to prevent the misuse of emergency exits on trains following a recent incident on the MTR East Rail line that caused more than two hours of disruption during evening rush hour. The experts also cast doubt on a lawmaker’s proposal to make emergency doors less […]
- Feature: African new energy market buzzes with Chinese technology at Solar Storage Live 2026 in Johannesburgon March 28, 2026
Across the venue, Chinese solar modules, storage batteries and smart energy solutions featured prominently, reflecting the growing engagement of Chinese companies in Africa's fast-expanding renewable energy market.JOHANNESBURG, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Electric vehicles (EVs), rows of photovoltaic panels and clusters of visitors gathering around battery storage […]
- Feature: African new energy market buzzes with Chinese technology at Solar & Storage Live 2026 in Johannesburgon March 28, 2026
Across the venue, Chinese solar modules, storage batteries and smart energy solutions featured prominently, reflecting the growing engagement of Chinese companies in Africa's fast-expanding renewable energy market.JOHANNESBURG, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Electric vehicles (EVs), rows of photovoltaic panels and clusters of visitors gathering around battery storage […]
- ‘Like a horror movie’: Hongkonger rescued after forced labour ordeal in Myanmarby Theodora Yu on March 28, 2026
A Hongkonger has been rescued from Myanmar and transferred to Thailand after being held captive and forced to do illegal work, in an ordeal he described as a “horror movie”. The Security Bureau on Saturday said its dedicated task force had earlier received a request for help from the 25-year-old man who was trapped in Myanmar. It then liaised with the […]
- CHINA-BEIJING-GRASSROOTS WRITERS-NEW LITERARY VOICES (CN)on March 28, 2026
(260328) -- BEIJING, March 28, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Writers share their experiences during an event hosted by the China Writers Association at the National Museum of Modern Chinese Literature in Beijing, capital of China, March 25, 2026. TO GO WITH "China Focus: New literary voices emerge from everyday life in China" (Xinhua/Yu Junjie)
- Hong Kong police seize 1,600 litres of diesel, arrest 1 in raid of illegal fuel siteby Danny Mok on March 28, 2026
Hong Kong authorities seized 1,600 litres (423 gallons) of diesel from an illegal fuel station in Sai Wan on Saturday as part of a continuing crackdown on illicit fuel sales, amid rising oil prices driven by conflicts in the Middle East. Officers from the Fire Services Department and police raided the site on Fung Mat Road, recovering diesel worth HK$50,000 […]
- Chinese AI firms start to crack profit code in niche marketson March 28, 2026
SHANGHAI, March 28 (Xinhua) -- While Silicon Valley chases artificial general intelligence with billion-dollar training runs, a burgeoning crop of Chinese AI firms has been achieving what the entire industry is striving for: sustainable profitability in specialized markets.Thanks to China's industrial scale and market volume, these notoriously R&D-heavy […]
- Taiwan detects 15 Chinese sorties around its territoryon March 28, 2026
Taipei [Taiwan], March 28 (ANI): Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense on Saturday detected overall 15 sorties of Chinese naval aircraft as of 11:21 hours.Of the 15, 11 crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the northern, central, southwestern and eastern part ADIZ.In a post on X, the MND said, 'Overall 15 sorties of PLA aircraft in […]
- World Uyghur Congress condemns Canadian MP Michael Ma's remarks on Uyghur abuses, raises concerns over forced labour linkson March 28, 2026
Washington DC [US], March 28 (ANI): The World Uyghur Congress has strongly criticised comments made by Canadian Liberal Member of Parliament Michael Ma, alleging that his remarks downplayed well-documented human rights violations in China, as cited in a WUC press release.The controversy arose during a meeting of Canada's House of Commons Industry Committee […]
- ETGE Minister Salih Hudayar condemns China's 'Cenling County' move, calls it colonial expansionon March 28, 2026
Washington DC [US], March 28 (ANI): The East Turkistan Government in Exile has strongly condemned Beijing's recent announcement of the so-called 'Cenling County' in the Kashgar region, terming it an 'illegal and unilateral act of colonial domination,' as stated by ETGE's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Security, Salih Hudayar, on X.According to Hudayar, the […]
- Taiwan keeps electricity rates unchanged amid global energy uncertaintieson March 28, 2026
Taipei [Taiwan], March 28 (ANI): The electricity rates in Taiwan will remain unchanged from April, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) announced Friday following a semiannual review, citing rising geopolitical risks and the need to stabilise prices and support industrial competitiveness.According to a report by Focus Taiwan, at its first electricity […]
- Singapore’s Lawrence Wong meets tycoons, leaders as he wraps up Hong Kong visitby Connor Mycroft on March 28, 2026
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has met Hong Kong political heavyweights and business leaders – including former Chief Justice Andrew Li Kwok-nang and Richard Li Tzar-kai, the son of tycoon Li Ka-shing – in what he described as a “short but meaningful visit” to the city. Wrapping up his first official visit to the city since he became prime […]
- Hundreds join fun run in Cambodia to celebrate LMC's 10th anniversaryon March 28, 2026
PHNOM PENH, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of people took part in a 5-km fun run along the Mekong riverbank here in the capital of Cambodia on Saturday to celebrate the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Week 2026 and the LMC's 10th anniversary.Speaking at the event, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation […]
- 4 held as Hong Kong seizes HK$92 million of illicit cigarettes from cargo vesselby Theodora Yu on March 28, 2026
Hong Kong customs has seized about 20 million illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of HK$92 million (US$11.46 million) from a cargo vessel during a joint anti-smuggling operation with authorities in mainland China. The cigarettes would have generated about HK$68 million in tax revenue, authorities said on Saturday. Officers from the Customs and […]
- Hong Kong breaks ground on Northern Metropolis data centre to power AI pushby Fiona Sun on March 28, 2026
Construction has begun on a major data centre in the Northern Metropolis, with Hong Kong’s innovation and technology minister saying the project will supercharge the city’s computing power and drive the national artificial intelligence (AI) push. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Saturday at the Range (Hong Kong) Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster, […]
- CAMBODIA-PHNOM PENH-LMC ANNIVERSARY-FUN RUNon March 28, 2026
(260328) -- PHNOM PENH, March 28, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin (C, front) attends an awarding ceremony during a Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) fun run in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on March 28, 2026. Hundreds of people took part in a 5-km fun run along the Mekong riverbank here in the capital of Cambodia on Saturday to celebrate […]
- Hong Kong defends 3-hour limit for Wang Fuk Court residents to collect belongingsby Emily Hung on March 28, 2026
Hong Kong authorities have insisted that a three-hour time limit is sufficient for residents of the fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court to retrieve their belongings, with discretion to be exercised for those requesting a second entry. Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk Wing-hing said on Saturday that although each household could register up to four people to […]
- Hong Kong police searching for driver on the run after hitting railing and busby Connor Mycroft on March 28, 2026
Hong Kong police are searching for a driver who fled the scene after crashing a car into a barricade and hitting a bus on Saturday. The force said it received a report at about 9.20am that a car had crashed into a roadside railing along Pui To Road in Tuen Mun. During the incident the car also made contact with a bus that had stopped at a traffic light […]
- Opinion: Six questions for Japanese gov't over Self-Defense Forces officer's intrusion into Chinese embassyon March 28, 2026
Has Japan ever genuinely reflected on its historical crimes and drawn lessons from history?TOKYO, March 28 (Xinhua) -- On Tuesday, Kodai Murata, a 23-year-old second lieutenant in Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force, forcibly broke into the Chinese embassy in Tokyo and threatened to kill diplomatic personnel, an act that Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson […]
- US-based Iranian’s cloth works at Art Central reflect complex fabric of her identityby Vivian Au on March 28, 2026
A series of artworks featuring six coats with distinctive features created by an Iranian-American artist for the Art Central festival invites Hongkongers to reflect on themes of memory and conflict amid the ongoing war in the Middle East. Elnaz Javani, who was born in Iran in 1985 and currently lives in the United States, told the South China Morning Post […]
- China Sports Weekly (3.22-3.28)on March 28, 2026
BEIJING, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Here are the latest Chinese sports headlines from the past week:1. China beats World Cup debutant Curacao in coach Shao's competitive debutChina defeated World Cup-bound Curacao 2-0 in a FIFA Series match at Stadium Australia in Sydney on March 27, marking a victorious start for its head coach Shao Jiayi.The opener came in […]
- InPics | China Coast Guard vessel Sandu patrols in South China Seaon March 28, 2026
SOUTH CHINA SEA, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The China Coast Guard vessel Sandu conducted patrols in the South China Sea to safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
- Oscars to move out of Hollywood to downtown Los Angeles venue, shift to YouTube from 2029on March 28, 2026
Washington DC [US], March 28 (ANI): The Academy Awards are set for a major transition, as the ceremony will move out of Hollywood to a downtown Los Angeles venue and begin streaming on YouTube from 2029, according to People. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, in partnership with entertainment company AEG, announced that the Oscars will be […]














