Fact About China

China is an immense nation that boasts a long and distinguished history. As world leader for mineral deposits and boasting some of the most stunning forests on Earth, China remains a force to be reckoned with today.

Rail lines could encircle the earth three times and they are still being built. Furthermore, Japan boasts both the highest and lowest mountains on Earth.

The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is an immense barrier fortification that runs roughly west-to-east across northern China, stretching 13,171 miles (21,000 km). Stretching from Jiayuguan Pass in western China to Shanhai Pass in eastern China, and passing through 10 provinces/municipalities as well as two autonomous regions (Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia Gansu Ningxia). Not one continuous wall but an array of individual walls constructed at different times by various dynasties over centuries – The Great Wall covers 13,171 miles (21,000 km).

Prior to the establishment of a unified China, state overlords established individual wall-building projects as a defense mechanism against northern nomadic tribes. Many of these state border walls were linked through roads; eventually these separate walls became known collectively as the Great Wall of China.

Over time, the Great Wall has come to symbolize Chinese strength and unity as well as evolving culturally with each passing era. Because of this connection to Chinese culture, its role remains relevant even today.

Under Ming Dynasty rule, construction of the Great Wall became a national project attracting thousands of peasants as workers to construct various sections. Myths and legends began to surface concerning its creation.

Meng Jiangnv became a beloved part of Chinese folklore when her story made the rounds: it is said she sobbed so bitterly while working on the Wall that her tears caused a section of it to collapse, revealing his remains and sending shockwaves through society.

Legend has it that the Great Wall was constructed to defend Chinese Empire against nomadic tribes from the north while safeguarding its citizens within. According to such tales, a dragon symbolizes wisdom, strength and goodness – qualities it was supposed to represent within this wall itself.

Even after the overthrow of the last Qing emperor, Great Wall myths continue to influence modern China and how its citizens view this national icon. Now fully restored and rebuilt as a source of pride and unity within Chinese society.

China’s Language

China boasts one of the highest numbers of languages spoken worldwide, with 281 different dialects listed by Ethnologue as being in use across its territory. These include standard Mandarin, Cantonese, Shanghainese and Hakka as well as several others that almost overlap and others that differ so significantly that speakers cannot understand each other at all. But these figures only hint at its true complexity: many Chinese dialects almost merge while others vary so significantly that speakers cannot even communicate effectively across borders.

Beijing Mandarin can differ considerably from Shanghainese and Cantonese spoken in Hong Kong and overseas Chinese communities, and even from Cantonese spoken by those in Hong Kong or overseas Chinese communities; similarly for many other Chinese dialects. This may be partly attributed to Mandarin being used as the official language on mainland China while Standard Chinese (or Modern Standard Chinese, MSC) was developed using Beijing dialect to unify China during the 1900s and is also the language employed by both government officials and educational establishments alike.

MSC is a tonal language, meaning syllables take on various meanings depending on how they are pronounced, and has an intricate writing system with no alphabet in the traditional sense but instead serves as logosyllabic language – each character representing one syllable. Simplified Chinese offers much simpler reading and writing abilities.

China boasts an incredible diversity in language and dialects, yet also retains a strong sense of unity despite this diversity. Unlike Europe which was fractured into various small nations each identifying themselves with certain linguistic groups following the fall of Rome, China has maintained a cohesive cultural and political identity independent of any linguistic differences that might divide its population.

Additionally to Standard Chinese, China boasts 11 official languages: Mandarin, Cantonese, Yue, Wu, Gan, Xiang, Min and Mongolian are spoken widely throughout China; in Hong Kong and Macau however Standard Chinese remains dominant as is English a key international business and tourism language taught at all levels of education and commerce.

China’s Culture

China is an expansive society that spans both space and history, making its society difficult to grasp. Its culture encompasses customs and traditions, music, dances, painting, food and clothing as well as one of the oldest written languages ever developed – Chinese has existed as written language for more than five millennia now! Additionally, Chinese characters remain unchanged after over five millennia of use!

Chinese values and beliefs reflect their ancient civilization through folk cultures as well as philosophical ideas and religious traditions that pervade daily life and society. Individual behavior as well as how individuals interact can show these influences; one such influence was provided by Kongfuzi, an official from a government office who taught morality, honesty and education principles to his nation’s citizens.

China is an advanced nation with a large population and abundant natural resources, driving economic change as its government eased restrictions on citizens’ personal freedoms, leading to environmental damage due to China’s rapid development. Some experts predict that the 21st Century may become known as the “Chinese Century,” yet no consensus can be made as to its outcome for humanity.

As part of its cultural legacy, China has created its own style of architecture, music, painting and paper production – and is the birthplace for silk, paper and book printing which have all made China one of the leading players in many fields. Additionally, Chinese scholars have made significant contributions to science and mathematics as a significant scholarly center around the globe.

The Xia Dynasty signaled the end of primitive slavery societies and heralded feudalism characterized by a hierarchy of kings, nobles, tributary states, regional states and tribes. Later, Qin Dynasty established China’s first centralized autocracy ending Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, and Han, Tang Song Yuan Ming and Qing Dynasties maintained feudalism systems during their tenures.

Ge explores these historical forces to provide insight into China’s interaction with modernity, touching upon both Western nation-state theories as well as China’s own intellectuals who advocate for “national learning”. His erudite polemic explores how Chinese perceive themselves vis-a-vis other actors both inside and beyond its borders.

China’s Economy

China is an economic powerhouse and one of the fastest-growing economies worldwide, boasting both manufacturing and export capacities as well as one of the fastest economic growth rates. Home to over one billion people and with an ancient culture dating back nearly 4,000 years. Yet despite all of its accomplishments, its current economic performance remains troubling; potential growth has been on a long-term downward trend due to demographic shifts, weak productivity gains and growing constraints on its debt-fueled investment-driven model.

What distinguishes China’s economy from that of most large economies is the extent to which its industrial sector drives economic expansion. Value-added industrial output accounts for a larger share of GDP than in any developed nation other than the U.S.

Since 1978 when China launched its economic reforms, factory output has skyrocketed and GDP has experienced growth of almost 9 percent per year, even reaching 14 percent during some peak years.

Industrial growth accelerated further during the late 20th century, and today China ranks among the fastest-growing manufacturing exporters worldwide. China’s leaders have long prioritized rebalancing its economy toward domestic consumption over investments or exports – yet imbalances persist.

China’s persistent imbalances may be attributable to its low household income levels, making it hard for Chinese households to boost consumption. Although China’s government is increasing welfare transfer payments to households, their size remains relatively minor when measured against the size of its economy. Furthermore, during COVID-19 pandemic households had amassed significant savings while paying down mortgage debt, thus decreasing spending power and dampening consumption levels.

Beijing’s fiscal policy does not prioritize transferring wealth from the state to households in order to increase consumption, partly due to concerns over excessive borrowing by households, as well as due to belief in property markets as vital conduits of growth. Alibaba’s online Taobao and Tmall platforms have given millions of Chinese consumers new options for purchasing goods; however, such purchases are less likely to lead to an increase in spending than more conventional sales in physical stores.