China
Introduction: Background about China:
The Chinese country started at around 2500BCE. It had sophisticated culture which dominated the dynasties. The first dynasty, the Xia started from (2200-1750BC). Xia dynasty was succeeded by Shang dynasty from (1750-1040 BC), the kings and armies fought frequent wars against herders and neighboring settlements from the north: ("China Background"). The dynasties reached the peak during the Zhou dynasty (1027-221 BC) this is when intellectual schools of thought developed that is, Daoism, legalism, Mohism ,Confucianism and others. During this period people from the surrounding countries were absorbed and assimilated through colonization and conquering. Quin dynasty (221-206BC) did not last long although it came up with structures to unify the people which included coinage, legal procedures, and forms of writing and bureaucratic procedures. Han dynasty started (206BC-220AD) where all the structures developed before were modified. These dynasties continued to rule China until 1911 when Republic of China overthrew Quing dynasty and ruled up to 1949. It is during their rule when there were regional divisions, civil wars and warslordism: ("China Background"). The empire of Japan was defeated during the Second World War and People’s Republic of China was established on October 1949. The communist party government sat at Beijing which is the capital city. The nationalist Kuomintang relocated their government to Taipei.
During the period of dynasties Chinese people had social structures that were divided into four groups namely peasant, merchants, landlordism and craftsmen. The powerful and wealthy people grabbed land, and not only did they dominate in position in the military but also ensured those position were given to the family members. Groups were still divided into upper classes and lower classes. Lower classes included good people and mean people who were entertainers, prostitutes and government employees in the lower level. In 1911- 1949 the major changes were on military where the nationalist employed more of them. In 1949-1976 landlordism class was eliminated and the peasant class was left because it composed the greatest part of the population: ("China Background").
The population was divided into residents from the rural and urban areas. A system known as hukou system was put in place to control the movement of people from rural to the city and also there came a time when most of the schools were closed down and most of the youths went to the rural to get educated by the peasants. After 1979, peasants migrated to other rural and urban areas seeking for employment. This led to the improvement of the economy: ("China Background").
Since 1978 economic reforms have been carried out in China that has made it the fastest in economic growth worldwide. Currently in terms of exporting and importing of goods it is the largest. People’s Republic of china has the largest army and known as the state of manufacturing nuclear weapons. This makes her defense budget to be the second largest in the world. People’s Republic of China is a member of united nation and a permanent member in the united Security Council after it replaced the Republic of China in 1971. She is the strongest country within the continent of Asia.
Geography
People’s Republic of China is located along the Pacific Ocean coastline in the southeast of Asia. With 9.6 million square kilometers as the area covered by land makes it the second largest in the world, while by total area it is third after Canada and Russia . 14 countries boarder China which are Kyrgyzstan, Korea, Mongolia, Laos, Burma Vietnam, India , Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Bhutan, Russia ,Kazakhstan, Pakistan and Nepal. In its northern end we have Mohe which is found in the province of Heilongjiang. To the south is Zengmu Ansha, to the west Pamirs, and lastly expands to the eastern where the boarder is found where Wusuli River joins Amur River. Climate of china is mostly tropical and its terrain include plains, mountains, hills desert and deltas.
Natural disaster
In terms of natural disaster China proves to be the most affected country in the world. Every year natural disasters affect over 200million leading to hindrance of social and economic development in the country(2013). The common disasters that affect China include wild fires, floods, seismic, drought, geological maritime, meteorological, epidemics, insect infestation, earthquakes and ecological disasters. For example China has experienced 3 out of the 10 worst disasters in the world. Which are Shaanxi earthquake of 1556 which killed 0.83million people, yellow River Flood of 1887 which claimed 0.9million to 2million lives, and China floods of 1931 that also claimed 3million to 4million lives (2013). Natural disasters in china almost affect all the provinces. More than 50% 0f the population of china and over 70% of the cities are always stricken by geological, earthquakes and marine disasters. Floods threaten approximately two thirds of the land.
Droughts affect seriously in the south and southwest of china. Earthquakes which are destructive have often struck all the whole of china country. These disasters have caused great loses to the country because millions of lives and property end up lost and force evacuation of other million people (2013). For example from 1990-2008 natural disasters has destroyed over 3million buildings, and 300million people per year. specifically the floods in Songhua and Yangtze river experienced in China in the years 1998 and Huaihe river in 2007, droughts in 2006,extreme cold in 2008 and lastly earthquakes in Gansu, Sichuan and Shaanxi may 12,2008 have caused huge losses. The country of China continues to face natural calamities for example from January to August 2013 over 50 natural disasters has struck the country.
Environmental issues
There are a lot of environmental issues in china which the government should put into consideration these include, water and air pollution, desertification, cancer villages and population growth. Air pollution in china is as a result of manufacturing industries and over 5million cars that operate in Beijing. Coal burning plants have highly contributed to the air pollution and this is a major concern ("China Background"). There is a lot of Water pollution in China as result of chemicals from the industry. Over half of surface water is polluted such that it cannot be used for domestic purposes and in industries. Ground water for irrigation schemes is still polluted.
Desertification is a cause for alarm due to the increase in population, deforestation and increase in infrastructure projects. Majority of people living in towns suffer from cancer as a result of pollution from industries. High rate Population growth is a major concern and therefore the government of china came with a policy of “one child”.
People and Society
NationalityThe nationality of people of China is Chinese.
Ethnic groups:
The ethnic groups in china are 56.Han Chinese is the major ethnic group and 55 are minorities 18 ethnic minorites, namely the Zhuang, Hui, Manchu, Kazak Yao , Yi, Uygur Tujia, , , Bouyei, Dong, Mongolian, Korean, Tibetan ,Dai Bai, Miao, Li, and Hani they have a population above 1 million ("China Background"). 17 ethnic minorities including the , Salar, Gelao, Lisu, , Dongxiang, Maonan, Va, Qiang, Lahu ,Sui, Jingpo ,Naxi, , Tu, Daur , Mulam, Kirgiz, Xibe and She with 100,000 to 1 million population.20 ethnic groups, which include, , Lhoba , Uygur, Achang, Primi,Nu, Gaoshan Ewenki, , Deang, Gin Ozbek, , Bonan, Russian Monba, Tajik. Derung, Tatar, Jino,Hezhen, Blang and Oroqen, which has a population ranging from 10,000 to 100,000.
Languages:
The people of china use Chinese language commonly referred to as Mandarin as the official language. Apart from this we still have other dialects used locally namely, Hakka,Hu, Ping,Min,Hunanese, Shaogiang,Yue and Jiangxinese: ("China Background").
Religions:
There are several religions in china which are Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Catholism, Taoism and conficuanism ("Chinese Religions, Beliefs: Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism").
Population:
By the year 2012 china had a population of 1.35 billion and it is the most populated country in the world. The percentage of Males being 51.53 and that of female is 48.47%
Family size:
Chinas family size today is either a child, two children or even none this is due to the economic factors of education cost .The government is advocating for one child.
National holiday:
In a year calendar china celebrates seven holidays namely, New Year’s Day( 1st of January), Quingming festival (4th or 5th of April), Spring holiday( for 3days), Dragon Boat holiday, May day(1st of May), National Day (for 3 days) and Mid- Autumn Day: ("China Background").
Government
Country name:The people’s Republic of China is the name of the country.
Government type:
It s a state led by communist party, which is called peoples republic where the government is authoritarian, and in control of everything. Its constitution was adopted on 4th December 1982. China has 23 provinces including Taiwan.
Capital:
The capital city of People’s Republic of China is Beijing which is located at the province of Hebei in North of China.
Education
Education in china is grouped into 3 categories namely, basic, higher, and adult education. The formal education has nine years that each child is entitled to go through according to the education law. Basic education includes kindergarten that takes maximum of three years, primary education, and secondary education which is composed of vocational and academic education. Higher education is offered in colleges and universities and it can take upto a maximum of four years, with an option of continuing for masters and P.H.D .the last category is Adult education.
Economy
The economy of china is growing at a rate of 7.8% year. This growth rate of economy has improved the standard living of people and met almost all the millennium development goals. Importation and exportation is what makes china to grow at that rate: ("China Background") .The economy is boosted by the natural resources the country has including iron core, coal, mercury, oil, tin, alluminium, tungsten, lead, vanadium, magnetite hydropower potential and uranium. China people have embarked on agriculture and they produce rice, sorghum, peanuts, millets, tea, potatoes, barley and cotton which they export. Its imports are mainly textiles, steel and chemicals. Today’s China Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is$8.227 trillion.
Communications and Transportation
China has the developed modern transport system which includes civil aviation, road traffic, water transport and railway. The transport in china is safe, fast and convenient. Civil aviation has around 1,279 air flights. Majority of these flights are domestic amounting to 1035 and 244 international flights. its major airlines include, china eastern Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Air China, and China Southern Airlines: ("China Background").
The railway line had covered 80,000 kilometers in total length by 2006. The trains are both for domestic and international. The trains operate with a speed ranging from 160 to 200 kilometers per hour. The highway mileage by the end of 2005 had reached 1, 9305 kilometers. Buses and taxes are commonly used as means of transport in highways. Road transports carry 16.92 billion passengers per year. Currently in china there is approximately 140 million vehicles. All cities ,towns and counties have good roads. 123,300 kilometers of navigable inland water ways are found in provinces of Jiangsu, Guandung, Sichuan and Hunan. 207,300 ships operate transporting 202million people per year: ("China Background").In communication systems, china has good and developed communication systems is used all over the country. People in China communicate through internet, telegraph, telephone, mobile phones and radio.
Work cited
"China: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND." Mongabay.com, 2013. Web. 3 Dec2013.<http://www.mongabay.com/reference/new_profiles/211ch.html>.
"China Background." Clinton4.nara.gov, 2013. Web. 3 Dec 2013.< http://clinton4.nara.gov/WH/New/China/china.html>.
"Natural Disasters In China 2013 | Recent Natural Disasters | Emergencies | Hazards | Calamities." Disaster-report.com, 2013. Web. 3 Dec 2013.< http://www.disaster-report.com/2013/02/natural-disasters-in-china-2013.html>.
"Chinese Religions, Beliefs: Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism." Travelchinaguide.com, 2013. Web. 3 Dec 2013. <http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/religion/>.
