China is the second-largest economy and home to some of humanity’s oldest traditions. Here are 10 interesting facts about China:
1. People living in northern China typically prefer living underground because it’s cheaper than living aboveground.
Gunpowder was first developed in China when alchemists mixed potassium nitrate with sulfur and charcoal while searching for the elixir of life.
1. China is the largest country in the world
Though China is the largest nation by land area, its population density is much less dense than expected. This is likely due to most Chinese living in the eastern parts of China while western regions remain sparsely populated.
China’s landscape is vastly varied, featuring mountainous areas which cover more than 70% of its territory and featuring climate zones ranging from tropical to arctic climate zones. Mandarin is spoken by most residents; however, numerous dialects or even other languages exist across various regions within China.
China borders 14 countries and features five geographical time zones – though it only observes one standard Chinese time zone. Home to 1.4 billion people and rich biodiversity, this Asian power is also one of the leading industrial powers and exporters of goods worldwide.
2. China is the most populous country in the world
China is home to 1.43 billion people and was the second-largest economy with an annual gross domestic product (GDP) of $15.8 trillion as of 2020. China is known as “the factory of the world”, producing everything from concrete and steel products to fertilizer production.
China has an immense population, the vast majority being Han Chinese; however, many different ethnic groups exist within its borders. Geographically speaking, 33% of its land area consists of mountains or high plateaus while 26% has high plateaus with 19% being composed of basins and deserts.
Culture dating back 4,000 years has made China one of the cornerstones of world heritage, creating many of its traditions and customs. Its inhabitants practice various religious faiths from atheism to ancestor worship as well as one of four major faiths (Buddhism, Taoism, Islam or Christianity) with railway tracks so extensive they could circle the planet three times around!
3. China is the world’s second largest economy
China’s economy has experienced rapid expansion. Now the second-largest economy and with a GDP exceeding $15 trillion, it is widely considered the “factory of the world”, producing products such as cement, steel and toys.
China boasts a rich cultural tradition dating back millennia, home to 56 different ethnic groups and the first country to develop an advanced appreciation for tea – much like wine in other parts of the world.
Economic reform has occurred quickly; however, political reform has lagged behind. The Communist Party retains an iron grip over government and much of wider society; this may become problematic as China expands and globalizes further; leading to power struggles as its economy accelerates even faster than other nations’ economies.
4. China is the world’s largest producer of coal
Coal is a vital resource, used for steel production, power plant fueling and as an energy source. China was the largest producer of coal worldwide with total output reaching 3.55 billion tons in 2018.
China also consumes the highest level of coal consumption among all nations, and imported over 295 million tonnes in 2013.
Coal production worldwide has experienced significant increases over the past three years, led by countries such as the US, China, India and Australia as major producers. Russia came sixth with production totalling 354.8 million tons in 2012. Germany remains the leading brown coal (lignite) producer globally with 803.2 million tonnes produced during 2019.
5. China is the world’s largest trading partner
China is one of the world’s major export and import nations. While economic development has lifted millions out of poverty, social inequality and air pollution remain domestic issues that warrant attention. China has also been an instrumental force in international humanitarian and environmental work – notably combatting novel coronavirus outbreaks while providing support to poorer states – as well as working to change postwar global governance institutions to better align with Beijing values.
Investors and analysts have expressed alarm over China’s trade dispute with the United States, fearful that slow economic growth in China will ripple throughout economies worldwide. But this wasn’t always the case; here are a few charts which demonstrate how trade patterns have developed over time.
6. China is the world’s largest consumer market
Chinese consumer market offers foreign investors much to gain. It has an enormous population with high purchasing power, an advanced market structure and comprehensive rules and regulations; not to mention a powerful economy with global influence.
China is also the world’s top exporter; in 2021 alone it exported more than $3.71 trillion worth of goods worldwide and top export partners included the US, Japan, South Korea and Germany.
China’s rapidly expanding middle class is driving demand for new products and services, including online retail sales which in 2022 totaled 13.8 trillion yuan; that figure was 9.5 times larger than 2012! Furthermore, Chinese social media presence includes over 772 million WeChat users and Baidu’s mobile payment app Tencent – making a total social media reach of more than 472 billion individuals!
7. China is the world’s largest producer of natural gas
Natural gas is an efficient energy source with numerous applications. As a renewable fuel that emits less harmful emissions than coal or oil, natural gas provides a clean energy option with lower costs compared to traditional fossil fuels like petrol or coal.
China’s domestic natural gas production has experienced rapid expansion in recent years. It is anticipated to increase further as China encourages coal-to-gas switching while investing in new natural gas infrastructure.
China is increasing both its exploitation of shale gas resources and imports of LNG. This will ensure it has access to an uninterrupted supply of gas for domestic needs, and this may help the nation become one of the leading producers and consumers of both oil and natural gas in future. China boasts massive natural gas reserves as well as being an active oil consumer; thus making China likely one of the leading producers and consumers worldwide of both commodities.
8. China is the world’s largest producer of steel
Steel is an indispensable material in modern industry and economies, being used for buildings, automobiles, appliances and infrastructure construction. China is the world’s largest producer of steel; therefore their economic development has had a major impact on global supply and demand.
China boasts 10 times the production capacity of crude steel manufacturing as the United States and produced 831 million metric tons in 2013. Since 2021 however, production rates have slowed.
As demand for steel stalls amid real estate sector correction, rising raw material costs have driven up costs further for industry. Furthermore, Chinese steel production may be further disrupted by trade disputes and protectionism; many investors remain wary about investing in this sector despite robust domestic growth from industry sectors in the country.
9. China is the world’s largest exporter
China exports many goods around the globe. In 2023 alone, they exported $3.389 trillion worth of merchandise – that works out to about $2,400 per resident!
China initiated economic reforms and reintegration with global economy during Deng Xiaoping’s rule, experiencing rapid economic expansion that lifted millions out of poverty.
Since that time, China has emerged as the world’s top exporter based on total import/export values of goods imported and exported; key exports include broadcasting equipment, computers and integrated circuits. Conversely, it imports an abundance of crude petroleum every year as well as many raw materials and finished goods that it needs for domestic production; yet issues related to export restrictions and intellectual property rights continue to spark international dissension between Beijing and international communities.
10. China is the world’s largest importer of natural gas
Natural gas has increasingly taken the place of coal in Chinese factories and homes for heating purposes, helping reduce air pollution that poses health risks in major Chinese cities and providing a transition fuel towards deeper penetration of renewables in their energy mix.
China’s natural gas demand has seen rapid expansion. The government is actively encouraging its use to address air pollution and advance industrial reform, and this trend has spurred substantial investment both domestically and via pipeline imports.
The Trump administration is using these facts to push natural gas export deals in high-level U.S.-China trade talks. By emphasizing fossil fuels over clean tech innovation and playing into Beijing’s hands, it is undermining clean tech advancement while expending federal political capital on deals that won’t rebalance U.S.-China trade and create jobs.