China is the most populous nation and one of the largest by land area. Governed by the Chinese Communist Party since 1949, China has rapidly transformed from a poor agrarian society into a global economic powerhouse. Often referred to as the “world’s factory,” it is now the second-largest economy by nominal GDP and a key geopolitical rival to the United States. China is projected to become the world’s largest economy before 2030, though its rise faces major domestic and international challenges.
Geographically, China spans from the mountainous Tibetan Plateau in the west to the urban, fertile lowlands in the east. Most of its 1,416,096,094 people (2025 from UN) live east of the Heihe-Tengchong Line, where cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou have become megacities. China borders 14 countries and maintains control over regions with varying autonomy, including Hong Kong and Macau.
China’s demographic shift – driven by decades of strict family planning – has created an aging population and a shrinking workforce. Environmentally, it remains the largest CO₂ emitter, though it’s investing heavily in clean energy and climate policy. Politically, China remains a one-party state under President Xi Jinping and plays an increasingly assertive role on the global stage, from trade and diplomacy to the contentious issue of Taiwan. Whether China can balance growth, stability, and global ambitions will shape the world in decades to come.
People's Republic of China
