China

What makes China a strong nation?

Answer: Located in East Asia, China, officially known as the People’s Republic of China, is the most populous country in the world, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion. Its largest cities are Shanghai, the financial center, and Beijing, the national capital. China borders 14 countries, spans five time zones, and comprises 23 provinces. With nuclear capabilities, China is considered a rising superpower and a potential global rival to the United States.

What is the history of the Chinese government?

Answer: The modern Chinese government emerged after the fall of its last monarch in 1912, leading to the establishment of the Republic of China. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, China's ruling nationalists united with the Chinese Communist Party to defeat the invading Japanese army.

From 1945 to 1949, the country was embroiled in a civil war between the nationalists and communists, which ended with the CCP claiming victory over modern-day mainland China and the nationalists fleeing to the island of modern-day Taiwan.

Currently, China is ruled by the Chinese Communist Party as a one-party socialist republic. China has economic and political influence over various international organizations, including the Untied Nations, where it sits on the Security Council as a permanent member with veto power. China is also a member of the G20, APEC, BRICS and the East Asia Summit.

Who is the current leader of China?

Answer: The current president is Xi Jinping, who has served in office since 2013, succeeding Hu Jintao.

How strong is the Chinese military?

Answer: The Chinese military has the largest standing army by individual military personnel and the second-largest defense budget, behind the U.S. The government of China has faced criticism for its repression of political dissidents and ethnic and religious minorities. One of China's strategic partners is the neighboring eastern power, Russia.