Introduction to China

Transition from Europe

Starting in 2100 BCE China was ruled by dynasties

In 1912 the final Qing Dynasty fellMain reason: European imperialism

1912-1949 Republic Period

1949-present People’s Republic of China

Basic Pronunciation

Under Pingyin system, most letters are pronounced similar to what Westerners are used to except a few major differences q = ch (Qin = Chin) x = sh (Xin = Shin) a = ah (Tang = Tahng)

Some other differences zh = j i = ee (xi = she)

Focus for the Trimester

Unequal treaties, collapse of the last dynasty (Qing)

Chaing Kai Shek, Mao Zedong

Communist era post 1949: Great Leap Forward, Cultural Revolution

Deng Ziaoping and China since 1977

How do you see China today?

Political

Economic

Social

Strategic

What do you know?

China’s Population: 1.3 Billion

Population Density

Language

Mandarin has the most speakers in the world with 1.1 billion 1 billion speak English 500 million speak Spanish 490 million speak Hindi 277 million speak Russian 250 million speak Arabic

Economy

GDP is $8.8 trillion, 2nd in the world

Per capita GDP is 128th

Fastest growing economy in the world

Export driven society (manufacturing)

Other things to note:

3 million miles roads (2nd to US with 6M)

4th largest country after 1)Russia, 2) Canada 3) US

China consumes more energy than any other country (including US)

40%-50% of worlds large cranes are in China

Rapid urbanization and creation of megacities with over 10 million people

China is making significant foreign direct investment in Africa (raw resources and energy)

Military

China has over 300 million men of military age

2.4M active military vs. US 1.5M (1st and 2nd largest)

China is 1 of 7 countries with nuclear warheads

240 warheads vs. 2000 in US and Russia each

Permanent member of the UN Security Council

Maintaining peaceful relationships is important for economic gains, but they also have a strong nationalistic interest in being a respected world power.

Current issues facing the nation

Territorial disputes

Recent protests and uprisings

Human rights and vast inequalities

Environmental issues: pollution and desertification

Map Activity