Located in East Asia on the western coast of the Pacific Ocean, China has a land area of 9.6 million square km, sea territory of 4.7 million square km and a costal line lasting for 18,000 km. The country enjoys abundant resources. China shares common land borders with 14 countries. It also has six neighbors across the sea. China is a multiethnic country, with 56 ethnic groups. In the socialist China, the Communist Party of China (CPC) is the sole party in power, and multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the CPC constitute the basic party system. According to China’s administrative division, the country is divided into four municipalities directly under the Central Government, 23 provinces, five autonomous regions and two special administrative regions. Beijing is the capital of China. The country adheres to an independent foreign policy of peace and develops relations with other countries around the world according to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. China insists on a path of peaceful development and a national defense policy defensive in nature.

      Land Area: About 9.6 million square km, the third largest in the world.

      Population: 1.32129 billion as of the end of 2007, the most populous country in the world.

      Ethnic Groups: Of the 56 ethnic groups, the Han ethnic group has the largest population, accounting for 92 percent of the total population of the country, while the other 55 are called “ethnic minorities.”

      Religions: Five major religions include Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism and Protestantism. There are more than 100 million religious believers in China, with more than 100,000 sites for religious activities.

      Political Parties: Nine political parties on the Chinese mainland. Besides the ruling CPC, eight democratic parities jointly participate in the administration of State affairs.

      Mass Organizations: About 2,000 national mass organizations.

      Most Populous Province: Henan, with a population of 98.69 million as of the end of 2007.

      Biggest Province: Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, with an area of 1.6649 million km.

      Highest Point: Qomolongma Feng (Mount Everest) is 8,844.43 meters above sea level, the highest in the world.

      Lowest Point: Aydingkol Lake in Turpan Basin, 155 meters below sea level.

      Longest River: The Yangtze River, lasting 6,300 km, being the third longest river in the world.

      Largest Lake: The Qinghai Lake, with an area of 4,274.07 km.

      Major Holidays and Festivals

      National Holidays:

      New Year’s Day: January 1

      International Women’s Day: March 8

      Tree Planting Day: March 12

      Labor Day: May 1

      Youth Day: May 4

      International Nurses Day: May 12

      Children’s Day: June 1

      Birthday of the CPC: July 1

      The People’s Liberation Arm (PLA) Day: August 1

      Teachers’ Day: September 10

      National Day: October 1

      Journalists’ Day: November 8

      Major Traditional Festivals:

      The Spring Festival: The first day of the first lunar month

      The Lantern Festival: The 15th day of the first lunar month

      The Tomb-Sweeping Day: A day which falls on or between April 4 and 6

      The Dragon Boat Festival: The fifth day of the fifth lunar month

      The Mid-Autumn Festival: The 15th day of the eighth lunar month

      The Double Ninth Festival: The ninth day of the ninth lunar month