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'''The People's Republic of China''', commonly known as China for short, is the world's largest country by population, and despite a slow in growth, still the fastest growing in terms of population. It is an area that has traditions dating back thousands of years, being one of the earliest civilizations in history. In just 40 years, the country has dramatically changed itself from a poor and declining nation to a world power, and to the top of the world's economies. The nation is under control from the [[Chinese Communist Party]], which encompasses mainland China, albeit with many border disputes. The PRC claims [[Taiwan]], the [[Republic of China]], as its own province, but the ROC maintains its sovereignty.

'''China''' (formally, '''The People's Republic of China'''), is the world's largest country by population, with a rapidly growing economy. With thousands of years of continuous traditions, in three decades it has dramatically changed itself from a poor backward nation to a world power, and to the top of the world's economies. It has emerged as a major regional power in East Asia, averaging over 9% economic growth per year since 1978 when it introduced a market-based economic system with many elements of capitalism, to replace its old socialism. Foreign businesses have flocked to invest in China, Americans and others rush to buy its cheap factory output, Chinese exports flooded the world.  It has vast reserves of dollar holdings.  China is modernizing its military, has joined numerous regional and international institutions, and plays an increasingly visible role in international politics.

 

The nation is under control from the [[Chinese Communist Party]], which encompasses mainland China, albeit with many border disputes. The PRC claims [[Taiwan]], the [[Republic of China]], as its own province, but the ROC maintains its sovereignty.

[[Hong Kong]] was transferred back to Chinese control by the [[United Kingdom]] in 1997, and [[Macau]] was handed over by [[Portugal]] in 1999. Both territories are now [[Special Administrative Region]]s and have autonomy over local affairs. Since the 1950s China has increasing asserted brutal control over [[Tibet]].

[[Hong Kong]] was transferred back to Chinese control by the [[United Kingdom]] in 1997, and [[Macau]] was handed over by [[Portugal]] in 1999. Both territories are now [[Special Administrative Region]]s and have autonomy over local affairs. Since the 1950s China has increasing asserted brutal control over [[Tibet]].

* Fairbank, John King and Goldman, Merle.  ''China: A New History.'' (1998). 546 pp.   

* Fairbank, John King and Goldman, Merle.  ''China: A New History.'' (1998). 546 pp.   

* Gries, Peter Hays. ''China's New Nationalism: Pride, Politics, and Diplomacy,'' U of California Press, (2004); recent history [http://content.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/kt9290249r/?&query=&brand=ucpress online edition free]

* Gries, Peter Hays. ''China's New Nationalism: Pride, Politics, and Diplomacy,'' U of California Press, (2004); recent history [http://content.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/kt9290249r/?&query=&brand=ucpress online edition free]

*  Naughton, Barry. ''The Chinese Economy: Transitions and Growth'' (2007), important new survey

*  Naughton, Barry. ''The Chinese Economy: Transitions and Growth'' (2007), important new survey

*Ogden S. (ed) ''China.'' (2006)  

*Ogden S. (ed) ''China.'' (2006)