| 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
- India U20 women to play two friendlies against Uzbekistan in Mahabalipuramon November 29, 2025
New Delhi [India], November 29 (ANI): The India U20 women's football team is set to play two international friendly matches against Uzbekistan on November 29 and December 2 at the FC Madras Academy in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu. According to the All India Football Federation (AIFF), both fixtures fall within the FIFA Women's International Match Window and […]
- Hong Kong mourns fire victims with flags at half-maston November 29, 2025
HONG KONG, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), along with principal officials of the HKSAR government and civil servants, participated in a memorial service at the government headquarters on Saturday, paying tribute to the victims of the residential building fire in Hong Kong's Tai Po.The […]
- IR Iran beat Palestine to notch up second win and remain at the topon November 29, 2025
Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], November 29 (ANI): IR Iran notched their second win of the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers with a 3-1 victory over Palestine in a Group D clash at the EKA Arena in Ahmedabad. A point against India on Sunday would be enough to send them through, as per the official website of the All India Football Federation […]
- 3-day mourning begins in Hong Kong, 7 Indonesian helpers among 128 deadby SCMP Reporters on November 29, 2025
This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Get faster notifications on the latest updates by downloading our app. What we know so far: 128 people, including a firefighter, confirmed dead 79 injured, including 12 firefighters Status of 200 people unclear […]
- Lebanon hand India their first defeat of AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifierson November 29, 2025
Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], November 29 (ANI): India slipped to a 0-2 loss against an organised and disciplined Lebanon side in their penultimate Group D fixture of the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers at the EKA Arena in Ahmedabad, as per the official website of the All India Football Federation (AIFF).Despite India suffering their first […]
- Difficult to say if fire-ravaged Hong Kong buildings can be fixed: expertsby Elizabeth Cheung on November 29, 2025
The government should take the lead in assessing the structural safety of the estate engulfed by Hong Kong’s worst fire in decades before deciding whether it should be restored or redeveloped, experts have said, warning of liability problems and a long road ahead. The future of Wang Fuk Court, where a massive fire raged through seven of its eight blocks […]
- Memorial service held for victims of Hong Kong's residential building fireon November 29, 2025
HONG KONG, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), together with principal officials of the HKSAR government and civil servants, participated in a memorial service at the government headquarters on Saturday morning, paying tribute to the victims of the residential building fire in Tai Po.The […]
- Hong Kong reaps the fruits of fintech seeds sown nearly 10 years agoby Enoch Yiu on November 29, 2025
When Alvin Kwock, co-founder of digital insurer OneDegree, took part in the inaugural Hong Kong FinTech Week in November 2016, it was held at a venue suitable for only a few hundred people. “As it was the first ever fintech event in Hong Kong, only fintech start-ups were interested, no big financial institutions paid attention,” Kwock said. “People […]
- CHINA-HONG KONG-RESIDENTIAL BUILDING FIRE-MEMORIAL SERVICE (CN)on November 29, 2025
(251129) -- HONG KONG, Nov. 29, 2025 (Xinhua) -- A memorial service is held for victims of the residential building fire in Hong Kong, south China, Nov. 29, 2025. The national flag and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region flag were flown at half-mast at all government buildings. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)
- Eight more arrested in connection with Hong Kong fire that killed 128 peopleon November 29, 2025
Hong Kong, November 29 (ANI): Eight more people have been arrested in connection with the massive fire at Wang Fuk Court residential compound in the Tai Po district, Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) said on Friday.According to the Global Times, the ICAC has launched an investigation into possible corruption linked to the […]
- (SP)NETHERLANDS-'S-HERTOGENBOSCH-HANDBALL-IHF-WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP-CHINA VS POLANDon November 29, 2025
(251129) -- 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, Nov. 29, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Players vie for the ball during the preliminary round Group F handball match between China and Poland at the 27th IHF Women's Handball World Championship in 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands, Nov. 28, 2025. (Photo by Sylvia Lederer/Xinhua)
- (SP)NETHERLANDS-DORDRECHT-SHORT TRACK SPEED SKATING-ISU WORLD TOUR-WOMEN'S 1500Mon November 29, 2025
(251129) -- DORDRECHT, Nov. 29, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Gong Li of China competes during the women's 1500m quarterfinals at the ISU Short Track World Tour #4 speed skating event in Dordrecht, the Netherlands, Nov. 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
- Construction clampdown needed after fire but industry must act too: expertsby Edith Lin,Leopold Chen on November 29, 2025
Systemic failings around supervision of building maintenance in Hong Kong, and a lack of coordination between departments charged with ensuring it is done properly, both needed to be addressed to prevent tragedies such as the Tai Po fire happening again, experts and sector representatives have said. The regulation of polystyrene foam boards was particularly […]
- MIDEAST-WEST BANK-RAMALLAH-CHINA-FUNDED INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTSon November 28, 2025
(251128) -- RAMALLAH, Nov. 28, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Officials attend a ceremony to mark the completion of two China-funded infrastructure projects, at Beijing Road in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Nov. 26, 2025. Palestinian and Chinese officials gathered on Wednesday to mark the completion of two China-funded infrastructure projects in the West Bank city of […]
- Why the US can no longer impose its values on Saudi Arabiaon November 28, 2025
Washington increasingly has to negotiate from a position not of absolute dominance, but of relative advantageSaudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman's November visit to Washington marked his first appearance at the White House in seven years.On day one, Donald Trump rolled out the red carpet on the South Lawn, followed by one-on-one talks, […]
- Openness, pragmatism key to stronger Sino-Dutch economic ties: expertson November 28, 2025
In the Netherlands, Dutch political interference in semiconductor manufacturer Nexperia's business operations disrupted the industrial chain and triggered market disorder. It also heightened anxiety among Chinese investors.By Shao HaijunAMSTERDAM, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Business and political leaders from China and the Netherlands have emphasized that openness […]
- "Diplomatic channels are the best way to resolve issues": Nepal's ex-Law Minister on NPR 100 banknote featuring updated map including Indian territorieson November 28, 2025
New Delhi [India], November 28 (ANI): Nepal's Former Law Minister Bahadur Pradhan on Friday emphasised that diplomacy is the key to resolving the ongoing map dispute with India, particularly after the release of a new 100 Nepalese Rupee banknote featuring an updated map that includes Indian territories of Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani.Speaking to […]
- RegICON 2025 at Gauhati University calls to safeguard endangered languages through AIon November 28, 2025
Guwahati (Assam) [India], November 28 (ANI): RegICON 2025 has started at Gauhati University, setting the tone for a three-day dialogue on Natural Language Processing (NLP), artificial intelligence and linguistic diversity.Inaugurating the event, Gauhati University Vice Chancellor Prof Nani Gopal Mahanta said, 'In a region that speaks in 185 languages, […]
- Death toll from Hong Kong fire climbs to 128 as city prepares for mourning periodby Wynna Wong,Ambrose Li,Willa Wu,Mike Chan,Natalie Wong,Fiona Sun,Jess Ma on November 28, 2025
The death toll from Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in seven decades climbed to more than 100 on Friday as the government announced a three-day official mourning period from Saturday for victims of the blaze. National and Hong Kong flags at all its buildings and facilities will fly at half-mast until Monday, with officials cancelling all non-essential public […]
- Many things to change in how construction works, safety measures in Hong Kong: Advisor to French expatriateson November 28, 2025
New Delhi [India], November 28 (ANI): Councillor for French Citizens Abroad representing France in Hong Kong and Macau, Marc Guyon, on Friday described the devastating fire at Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong's Tai Po district as 'very sad', while calling for major improvements in construction practices and safety standards in the region.Speaking to ANI on the […]
- Hope France, India can collaborate more on issues like AI: Advisor to French expatriates for Hong Kongon November 28, 2025
New Delhi [India], November 28 (ANI): Councillor for French Citizens Abroad representing France in Hong Kong and Macau, Marc Guyon, on Friday called for deeper collaboration between France and India on technology and social issues, particularly in emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, as well as addressing domestic challenges faced by France. […]
- New high-speed rail opens fresh pathways to tourism and growth in mountainous Guizhouon November 28, 2025
GUIYANG, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- A new high-speed railway connecting the cities of Xingyi and Panzhou in southwest China's Guizhou Province commenced service on Friday, ushering the mountain-ringed city of Xingyi into the era of high-speed rail and completing the province's goal of connecting all its prefectural capitals through the modern transport system.The […]
- CHINA-BEIJING-COMMEMORATIVE COINS-YEAR 2026 (CN)on November 28, 2025
(251128) -- BEIJING, Nov. 28, 2025 (Xinhua) -- This photo shows a 150-g commemorative gold coin to celebrate the Chinese zodiac Year of the Horse, in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 28, 2025. The People's Bank of China issued a set of commemorative coins on Nov. 26 to celebrate 2026, the Year of the Horse. The collection, comprising six gold, four silver […]
- HUNGARY-BUDAPEST-TERRACOTTA WARRIORS-EXHIBITION-OPENINGon November 28, 2025
(251128) -- BUDAPEST, Nov. 28, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Laszlo Baan, director general of the Museum of Fine Arts, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of an exhibition of China's Terracotta Warriors in Budapest, Hungary, Nov. 27, 2025. The Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest on Thursday opened one of the most significant Chinese cultural exhibitions ever held in […]
- ZhejiangPictorial | Waterlogged forest dressed in colorful "outfit" in E China's Hangzhouon November 28, 2025
HANGZHOU, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Qingshan Lake, an artificial lake in Lin'an District of Hangzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, is noted for its waterlogged forest. The beautiful scenery in the Qingshan Lake scenic spot attracts lots of tourists during the season.
- CHINA-TIANJIN-DOWNTOWN DUTY-FREE SHOP-OPENING (CN)on November 28, 2025
(251128) -- TIANJIN, Nov. 28, 2025 (Xinhua) -- People shop for products themed on Bing Dwen Dwen, the mascot of Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, at a downtown duty-free shop in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Nov. 28, 2025. Tianjin Municipality opened its first downtown duty-free shop on Friday. Holders of valid travel documents who have purchased […]
- (SP)CHINA-BEIJING-BASKETBALL-FIBA WORLD CUP 2025 ASIAN QUALIFIERS-CHN VS KOR (CN)on November 28, 2025
(251128) -- BEIJING, Nov. 28, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Liao Sanning (L) of China tries to go for a layup against An Youngjun of South Korea during the Group B match at the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
- GHANA-ACCRA-CHINA-MEDICAL TEAM-CHARITY PROJECT-RENEWALon November 28, 2025
(251128) -- ACCRA, Nov. 28, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Guests attend the renewal ceremony for a charity project between the Chinese medical team to Ghana and Lekma Hospital in Accra, Ghana, Nov. 27, 2025. The Chinese medical team to Ghana, with the support of some Chinese enterprises and charity organizations, on Thursday renewed its charity project to provide free […]
- Economy&Life | N China's Tianjin opens first downtown duty-free shopon November 28, 2025
TIANJIN, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Tianjin Municipality opened its first downtown duty-free shop on Friday. Holders of valid travel documents who have purchased outbound flight tickets due in 60 days are eligible for duty-free discounts on their purchase at the shop and claim the purchased goods at Terminal 1 of Tianjin Binhai International Airport.In addition, […]
- ‘What will happen to us’: fire-displaced Hong Kong residents facing uncertaintyby Fiona Sun on November 28, 2025
Distress and uncertainty lingered among displaced residents after Wednesday’s deadly fire in Hong Kong, as they struggled to move into tiny temporary flats while calling for better long-term resettlement arrangements such as public housing. Some elderly residents who had lived for decades in Tai Po’s fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court said on Friday they hoped […]
- Delhi makes Farhan Akhtar's '120 Bahadur' tax-free from Nov 28on November 28, 2025
New Delhi [India], November 28 (ANI): Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced 'tax-free status' for the war drama '120 Bahadur' in the national capital, effective November 28. The decision honours the bravery of Indian soldiers depicted in the film, which is based on the Battle of Rezang La during the 1962 Sino-Indian War.The Delhi CM took to her X […]
- Prague Declaration condemns China's interference in Dalai Lama successionon November 28, 2025
Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh) [India] November 28 (ANI): The Prague Declaration on Freedom of Religion or Belief 2025 has firmly asserted the Tibetan Buddhist community's right to choose the successor of the 14th Dalai Lama without any political interference, a move widely seen as a rebuke to China's growing attempts to control the Tibetan spiritual […]
- Japan PM's remarks sent wrong signal to 'Taiwan separatists': Chinaon November 28, 2025
Beijing [China]/ Tokyo [Japan], November 28 (ANI): Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan have sent a severely wrong signal to 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces, Beijing said on Friday, as reported by Chinese state media.After Takaichi suggested that Tokyo could deploy military forces in the hypothetical event of a conflict in the […]
- ‘Hongkongers’ solidarity’: volunteers pick up pieces for Tai Po fire victimsby Natalie Wong,Ambrose Li,Mike Chan on November 28, 2025
Against the backdrop of the seven charred residential blocks, an open plaza next to Wang Fuk Court has transformed into a bustling relief centre, manned by hundreds of volunteers aiding thousands of displaced residents on the third day since Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades. As large quantities of donated supplies continuously flowed into the area, […]
- Anxious wait for relatives of people still missing in deadly Hong Kong fireby Willa Wu,Fiona Chow on November 28, 2025
Families of residents still missing after a blaze engulfed an estate complex in Hong Kong on Wednesday face an agonising wait for news of their loved ones as the government needs more time to identify many of the bodies. Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said on Friday that among the 89 unidentified bodies so far recovered from the charred […]
- ‘Our spirit is tougher’: Hong Kong fire survivor’s ordeal and rescueby SCMP Reporters on November 28, 2025
William Li, 40, is one of the survivors of Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy. The deadliest inferno in decades set seven blocks in the Wang Fuk Court residential complex ablaze, claiming at least 128 lives as of Friday. Li was rescued from Wang Cheong House – the block that first caught fire – on Wednesday evening. Here is a translation of his personal […]
- Failure of fire alarms could have delayed rescue, cost lives, expert saysby Ng Kang-chung on November 28, 2025
The failure of fire alarms in the deadly Tai Po blaze could have delayed the response and evacuation of residents, according to a leading Hong Kong fire safety specialist. Anthony Lam Chun-man, a former director of the Fire Services Department, also said the extreme heat and intense flames both inside and outside made it almost impossible for firefighters […]
- Update: Xi calls for promoting volunteer spirit to serve national rejuvenationon November 28, 2025
BEIJING, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for promoting the spirit of volunteers to serve the cause of building a great modern socialist country in all respects and achieving national rejuvenation.Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the […]
- #(SP)CHINA-ZHANGJIAKOU-FREESKI-BIG AIR-WORLD CUP (CN)on November 28, 2025
(251128) -- ZHANGJIAKOU, Nov. 28, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Luca Harrington of New Zealand competes during the men's qualification of the FIS Freeski Big Air World Cup 2026 at Secret Garden in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Nov. 28, 2025. (Photo by Wu Diansen/Xinhua)
- (SP)CHINA-ZHANGJIAKOU-FREESKI-BIG AIR-WORLD CUPon November 28, 2025
(251128) -- ZHANGJIAKOU, Nov. 28, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Kondo Kokone of Japan competes during the women's qualification of the FIS Freeski Big Air World Cup 2026 at Secret Garden in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Nov. 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Xingji)
- Young Chinese revive, transform ancient crafts for modern marketson November 28, 2025
KUNMING, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- In a sun-drenched courtyard in a village in southwest China's Yunnan Province, Bai ethnic woman Yang Julan hung up newly dyed tie-dye scarves, one by one. Soon, the sun would dry them, allowing these scarves to embark on a journey to Europe, destined for the Netherlands.A farmer near Erhai Lake in the city of Dali, Yang would […]
- (ZhejiangPictorial) CHINA-ZHEJIANG-HANGZHOU-QINGSHAN LAKE-SCENERY (CN)on November 28, 2025
(251128) -- HANGZHOU, Nov. 28, 2025 (Xinhua) -- An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 28, 2025 shows tourists paddling through a waterlogged forest in the Qingshan Lake scenic spot in Lin'an District of Hangzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province. Qingshan Lake, an artificial lake in Lin'an District of Hangzhou City, is noted for its waterlogged forest. […]
- CHINA-HONG KONG-FIRE-POLICE-EVIDENCE COLLECTION-INVESTIGATION (CN)on November 28, 2025
(251128) -- HONG KONG, Nov. 28, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Members of the Disaster Victims Identification Unit enter Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Hong Kong, south China, Nov. 28, 2025. Hong Kong Police Force will conduct full evidence collection and investigation into the Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po, which is expected to take three to four weeks, Chris Tang […]
- CHINA-YUNNAN-ANCIENT CRAFTS-MODERN MARKETS (CN)on November 28, 2025
(251128) -- KUNMING, Nov. 28, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Yang Huanpei, a provincial-level inheritor for Jianchuan Wood Carving, demonstrates skills during the 2025 intangible cultural heritage (ICH) brand promotion week in Dali City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Nov. 23, 2025. TO GO WITH "Across China: Young Chinese revive, transform ancient crafts for modern […]
- Laughter heard at shelters as children, students learn to cope with Hong Kong fireby Mike Chan on November 28, 2025
Occasional outbursts of children’s laughter were heard on Friday morning at one of the shelters set aside for residents left homeless by a deadly inferno at a Tai Po housing estate in Hong Kong, as classes were still suspended in some of the schools in the aftermath. Scattered across different corners at Tung Cheong Street Community Hall in Tai Po, some […]













