China The Country & Its People

A nation the size of Europe, with a fifth of the world's population, and home to the world's earliest, most advanced civilizations, China is one of the world's most dramatic and fascinating destinations. Sharing borders with Tadjikistan, Mongolia, Russia, Vietnam, Laos, and Burma, the architecture, landscape, and people of China are a far more diverse array than often imagined.

China's densely populated river basins and coastline stand in marked contrast to the rugged mountainous regions which make up a third of the country. Less than a tenth of the landmass is arable; this environmental fact has played a key role in China's history.

While 93 % of China's population are Han Chinese, there are over 50 other ethnic groups, including Yao, Bai, Uighurs, Kazakhs, and Tibetans. The Han are actually a mixture of indigenous people, with Mongol and other peoples.

China has been a fertile breeding ground for three of the world's great philosophies: Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Confucianism arose in the 6th century BC, and played a key role in China's political and social structure, with its emphasis on respecting one's elders, living up to the responsibilities of family and community, and obeying the rules of society. Taoism is based on the teachings of Lao Tsu, who lived at the same time as Confucius. His teachings, which formed the basis for Taoism, stressed the need for balance between seemingly conflicting forces, which are actually complementary. The Taoists saw nature's equilibrium as being the ultimate one could aspire to, and all social and individual ills resulting from a discord in the natural order. Buddhism arrived in China in the 1st century AD, brought along the Silk Road from its original source: India. Buddhism flourished in China, offering escape from the inherent suffering of this world.

China has also been the ground for some of the world's greatest empires, with dynasties stretching back over four thousand years. The Xia Dynasty ruled from the 21st to 16th century BC, and established a system of inherited succession. The Shang Dynasty ruled China from the 16th--11th century BC, and saw the Bronze Age take root in China. Tools of exceptional quality were produced in this period, and silkworms were cultivated. The Shang had a rigid society, and used slave labor. The Zhou Dynasty (11th--3rd century BC) built on the Shang's accomplishments, but were feudal, instead of slave-based. It was during this period that a large, organized administrative social strata flourished, working as army officers or administrators. This was a tumultuous time for China, which saw great intellectual developments such as Confucianism and Taoism. The following Qin dynasty (221--206 BC) was short-lived, but long-ranging in its effects. The Emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, united the many autonomous empires, forming the first Chinese state. He was responsible for creating a firm economic, cultural and administrative structure. He was buried with 7000 terracotta soldiers in Xian. The Great Wall was begun, a wide-ranging network of roads was developed, script, measures, and laws were standardized. The speed and intensity of this centralization led to rebellion, factionalism and breakdown of rigid central power. The following Han dynasty (206 BC--220 AD) was less repressive, and concentrated on economic growth rather than political centralization. The dynasty extended its borders, and a land-owning class flourished. The Three Kingdoms period followed, lasting for 300 years. The next major historical era was the Tang dynasty, from 618--907; this period is often referred to as the Golden Era of Chinese history. Trade along the Silk Road and the coast flourished, and Buddhism took root throughout the country, influencing art and architecture. The subsequent Song Dynasty (960--1206) saw the invention of gunpowder, paper money, and rockets. When Marco Polo reached China in 1275 he found a prosperous, sophisticated nation under the rule of Kublai Khan, nephew of the Mongol invader Ghengis Khan. The Mongols established the Yuan Dynasty which changed China greatly. They imposed heavy taxes on the Chinese, sowing the seeds of dissent that led ultimately to the overthrow of Mongol rule and the rise of the Ming Dynasty (1368--1644). Under the Ming, Chinese policy became more isolationist and xenophobic than it had been under the free trading Yuan. The Ming created many of the fine monuments in Beijing, including the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and much of the Great Wall. The subsequent Qing Dynasty (1644--1911) was ruled by Manchu invaders from the north. The empire expanded to include parts of Russia, Korea, and Vietnam, but lost much of this territory. The Qing dynasty was succeeded by the Republic of China, under the leadership of Sun Yat Sen.

Like so much of the world, 20th century China has been the site of major upheaval, rebellion, and revolution. However, a country as large as China, with as dynamic a history, was bound to see the 20th century with more force and impact than many other places. The Republic was rapidly caught up in war with both the Japanese, and the Communist Party. In 1949, Mao Tse Tung and the Communist Party took over the country, and led China through a complete revolution. Radical land reform policies, and vehement denunciation of intellectuals, the backbone of China's culture and government, spread through the country. The Hundred Flowers movement saw the persecution of some of the most innovative thinkers in China. The Great Leap Forward and rapid collectivization led to devastating famines, and the notorious Cultural Revolution saw a near total inversion of all traditional Chinese values, as well as a perverse destruction of many of the country's artistic and cultural treasures. The post--Mao period has seen the murder of students in Tian An Men square, and a feverish frenzy of capitalism, as the country has rushed to follow Deng Xiao Ping's axiom: "To get rich is glorious".

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