• China is the largest country in East Asia and one of the earliest civilizations, dating back to 2100 B.C. Since October 1, 1949, after the last Chinese Civil War, China has been broken up into two governments. The People's Republic of China, considered Communists, govern mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, while the Republic of China, considered, Nationalists, control Taiwan and a few outlying islands.

  For a seven-day period in Shanghai, gay citizens were able to observe the first Gay Pride festivals in the country's history. Although there was no parade, the event featured film screenings, plays and panel discussions. The absence of a parade during the festival was said to have been more of an opposition to the idea of exemplifying pride, rather than a homosexual lifestyle.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/15/shanghai-pride-china-gay_n_215785.html

• Fast Facts

  1. Capital: Beijing
  2. Largest City: Shanghai
  3. Government: Socialist Republic
  4. Population: 1,321,851,888 (2007 est.)
  5. Currency: Chinese Yuan (CNY)
  6. Exchange Rate: 7.51
  7. Official Language: Chinese (Mandarin)
  8. Official name: People’s Republic of China

• Emerging Superpower

  China has the biggest population in the world with over 1.3 billion people. Population, dominating international trade, and focus on economic development, have helped China emerge from a past filled with famine, foreign military occupation, and civil unrest, to become the world's fourth largest economy. China is also the biggest consumer of steel, copper, and concrete, and the second largest importer of petroleum.

• Human Rights

  Political freedom is rigidly controlled by the Chinese government. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Reporters Without Borders, have all criticized the Chinese government for its censorship of free speech and open information. The Tienanmen Square Massacre in 1989 and the Tibetan protests 2008 against PRC's rule over Tibet, are examples of the human rights issues that put China under constant scrutiny by the international community.

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