Lauren, Morgan, and Brenden China Lauren, Morgan, and Brenden

Flag of People's Republic of China Government The People's Republic of China was founded in 1949   China is a bureaucratic-have control over actions of organizations- and an authoritarian state-leaders have power  Capitalism (means of production are private) can exist  Communism- classless, stateless society and decisions made on interest of collective society Flag of People's Republic of China

Government Leaders Leadership positions in China are: President- weakest of 3-responsible for foreign policy General Secretary of the Communist Party- powerful because Communist Party rules the country Chairman of the Central Military Commission- important because it gives strength and power to Communist Party  A Prime Minister exists, but is considered #2 or #3 in importance- in charge of economic policies and affairs  President and Prime Minister are usually allowed to have two five year terms Hu Jintao is Secretary of the Communist Party Vice-president: Xi Jinping Prime minister: Wen Jiabao

China's Economy China has one of fastest-growing economies China invests millions of dollars in foreign countries China is member of World Trade Organization China is largest exporter in trade China is second largest importer of goods China's economicdevelopment has increased in areas on the coast than in the interior There are major differences in per capita income between regions Overall per capita income has increased 8.9% annually. It is $18,303 in US money  The building boom is happening in China- it's being called Second Industrial Revolution- more buildings are being built because of population moving to cities China is on its way to high-income status

FACTS China is world's 3rd or 4th largest country in land area   China is the most populous country with over 1.35 billion people China has extreme poverty in rural areas, yet has advanced urban areas Although China has opened its economy, its on the left side of the J curve

Culture Official language is Mandarin, but many local dilects exist. China written in Chinese characters. (Link) Culture Official language is Mandarin, but many local dilects exist. The writing system is consistent despite different spoken dilects. China has one of the worlds oldest cultures. "While the Chinese constitution affirms 'freedom of religious belief,' the Chinese Government places restrictions on religious practice outside officially recognized organizations" (Background Notes China).  This means that even though their constitution allows freedom of religion, the government still limits it. Traditional holidays like Chinsese Valentines Day, Dragon Boat Festival, and Spring Festival (Beijing Int.) "Background Note: China" www.state.gov/ U.S. Department of State. 2011. Web. 20 March 2011. <http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/18902.htm>   "Beijing International" www.ebeijing.gov.cn/ Beijing Government. 2011. Web. 20 March 2011. <http://www.ebeijing.gov.cn/Culture/EnjoyBJ/>

Major Events: Mao Forms The PRC October 1, 1949: Mao Zedong Forms The People's Republic of China "A new political and economic order modeled on the Soviet example was quickly installed" (Background Notes China). This was during the time of the Cold War, and was considered part of a communist conspiracy by many Americans. China was a closed country for many years, and still is somewhat, because of Mao's dictatorship. Mao Zedong (Link) "Background Note: China" www.state.gov/ U.S. Department of State. 2011. Web. 20 March 2011. <http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/18902.htm>  

Major Events: Famine 1960-1961: Famine A destructive famine occured due to a "combination of poor planning during the Great Leap Forward and bad weather" (Background Notes China). A massive number of people died because of this famine, and it was also a great setback for the economy of China. A Fortunate Family Eating in a Communal Dining Hall (Link) "Background Note: China" www.state.gov/ U.S. Department of State. 2011. Web. 20 March 2011. <http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/18902.htm>

Major Events: Third Plenum (A plenum is a meeting where all members/important people are present) December 1978: The Third Plenum Economic and legal reform policies were enacted. "The party encouraged artists, writers, and journalists to adopt more critical approaches, although open attacks on party authority were not permitted. In late 1980, Mao's Cultural Revolution was officially proclaimed a catastrophe... Reform policies brought great improvements in the standard of living" (Background Notes China). China started becoming a more open society. "Background Note: China" www.state.gov/ U.S. Department of State. 2011. Web. 20 March 2011. <http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/18902.htm>

Cartography China is densly populated by mountain ranges on the west side. The Himalayas make up most of it. The only part of China that is at sea level is Beijing and a little south of it. This is because it is on the yellow sea. The rest of China is mostly above sealevel.   (google.com/images)

Works Cited "Background Note: China" www.state.gov/ U.S. Department of State. 2011. Web. 20 March 2011. <http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/18902.htm>   "Beijing International" www.ebeijing.gov.cn/ Beijing Government. 2011. Web. 20 March 2011. <http://www.ebeijing.gov.cn/Culture/EnjoyBJ/> "China's Metropolitan Regions: Moving Toward High Income Status ." New Geography. Np., 03 09 09. Web. 20 March 2011. <http://www.newgeography.com/content/001007-china%E2%80%99s-metropolitan-regions-moving-toward-high-income-status>.  "China Country Profile." BBC News. N.p., 22 02 2011. Web. 20 Mar 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1287798.stm. google.com/images)