People's Republic of China: Difference between revisions
imported>John Stephenson (revert to version 100229277 after three years - and I'd prefer a proper explanation next time an article is torn up, please) |
imported>John Stephenson (formating) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{subpages}} | {{subpages}} | ||
The '''People's Republic of [[China]]''' (PRC) is not only the largest [[state]] in [[East Asia]] by a considerable margin, but is also home to the largest [[human]] [[population]] in the world: over 1.4 billion people. It also holds the record as the largest and most successful [[communism|communist]] nation, in that it has survived and in some ways prospered while others, such as the [[Soviet Union]], have not. | |||
The '''People's Republic of China''' (PRC) is not only the largest [[state]] in [[East Asia]] by a considerable margin, but is also home to the largest [[human]] [[population]] in the world: over 1.4 | |||
==2008 Olympics== | ==2008 Olympics== | ||
Perhaps the PRC's most recent cultural achievement has been to win the right to stage the 2008 [[Olympics]] in the capital [[Beijing]], but this is just the latest in a string of cultural events pertaining to this country and | Perhaps the PRC's most recent cultural achievement has been to win the right to stage the 2008 [[Olympics]] in the capital [[Beijing]], but this is just the latest in a string of cultural events pertaining to this country and Chinese civilisation generally. While the modern PRC was established only in 1949, its people are arguably the latest generation of the oldest continuous [[culture]] in the world, stretching back over 4000 years. | ||
== | |||
==Diplomatic recognition== | |||
The existence of the PRC has remained controversial these last sixty years or so; it was not until 1972 that the country was recognised by the [[United Nations]], which until then had accepted only the [[Republic of China]], i.e. the ''de facto'' state of [[Taiwan]]. To this day, some commentators prefer to refer to the PRC as '[[Mainland China]]'. | The existence of the PRC has remained controversial these last sixty years or so; it was not until 1972 that the country was recognised by the [[United Nations]], which until then had accepted only the [[Republic of China]], i.e. the ''de facto'' state of [[Taiwan]]. To this day, some commentators prefer to refer to the PRC as '[[Mainland China]]'. | ||
==Human rights== | ==Human rights== | ||
Of more general concern than what [[country]] is the 'true' China is the PRC's uneven record on [[human rights]]; the [[Chinese Communist Party]] has been reluctant to engage with [[ | Of more general concern than what [[country]] is the 'true' China is the PRC's uneven record on [[human rights]]; the [[Chinese Communist Party]] has been reluctant to engage with [[Western society|Western]] ideas of what constitutes fair treatment of its citizens, such as the promotion of multi-party [[democracy]]. In a country where 70% of the population live a [[rural]] lifestyle, the PRC has often resisted calls to place these issues at the top of the agenda. Critics would argue that it places its own rule as the main priority. Also, [[freedom of speech]] and [[freedom of religion|religion]] are mostly disregarded in the PRC, and many groups, such as the [[Falun Gong]], are persecuted. | ||
==Chinese culture== | ==Chinese culture== | ||
Chinese culture has always strongly influenced neighbouring regions of East Asia, and today the modern PRC continues to receive mixed impressions. | Chinese culture has always strongly influenced neighbouring regions of East Asia, and today the modern PRC continues to receive mixed impressions. | ||
== | |||
==Diplomatic relations== | |||
===Taiwan=== | |||
On the one hand, relations between the PRC and [[Taiwan]] have gradually improved, with open hostility much rarer nowadays. | On the one hand, relations between the PRC and [[Taiwan]] have gradually improved, with open hostility much rarer nowadays. | ||
== | ===Japan=== | ||
Likewise, the PRC has developed closer [[economy|economic]] ties with [[Japan]], though arguments persist over the role of that nation in China during [[World War II]]. | Likewise, the PRC has developed closer [[economy|economic]] ties with [[Japan]], though arguments persist over the role of that nation in China during [[World War II]]. | ||
== | ===United Kingdom=== | ||
Relations with the [[United Kingdom]] have been friendly since the [[sovereignty]] of [[Hong Kong]], a former British colony, passed to the PRC in 1997. | Relations with the [[United Kingdom]] have been friendly since the [[sovereignty]] of [[Hong Kong]], a former British colony, passed to the PRC in 1997. | ||
== | ===Asia=== | ||
On the other hand, the PRC is eyed with some unease in [[Asia]] and the wider world, as a potential spark for possible conflict and even, | On the other hand, the PRC is eyed with some unease in [[Asia]] and the wider world, as a potential spark for possible conflict and even, through [[coal mining]] and burning to power the country, as a future source of runaway [[global warming]]. | ||
Revision as of 07:19, 29 December 2010
The People's Republic of China (PRC) is not only the largest state in East Asia by a considerable margin, but is also home to the largest human population in the world: over 1.4 billion people. It also holds the record as the largest and most successful communist nation, in that it has survived and in some ways prospered while others, such as the Soviet Union, have not.
2008 Olympics
Perhaps the PRC's most recent cultural achievement has been to win the right to stage the 2008 Olympics in the capital Beijing, but this is just the latest in a string of cultural events pertaining to this country and Chinese civilisation generally. While the modern PRC was established only in 1949, its people are arguably the latest generation of the oldest continuous culture in the world, stretching back over 4000 years.
Diplomatic recognition
The existence of the PRC has remained controversial these last sixty years or so; it was not until 1972 that the country was recognised by the United Nations, which until then had accepted only the Republic of China, i.e. the de facto state of Taiwan. To this day, some commentators prefer to refer to the PRC as 'Mainland China'.
Human rights
Of more general concern than what country is the 'true' China is the PRC's uneven record on human rights; the Chinese Communist Party has been reluctant to engage with Western ideas of what constitutes fair treatment of its citizens, such as the promotion of multi-party democracy. In a country where 70% of the population live a rural lifestyle, the PRC has often resisted calls to place these issues at the top of the agenda. Critics would argue that it places its own rule as the main priority. Also, freedom of speech and religion are mostly disregarded in the PRC, and many groups, such as the Falun Gong, are persecuted.
Chinese culture
Chinese culture has always strongly influenced neighbouring regions of East Asia, and today the modern PRC continues to receive mixed impressions.
Diplomatic relations
Taiwan
On the one hand, relations between the PRC and Taiwan have gradually improved, with open hostility much rarer nowadays.
Japan
Likewise, the PRC has developed closer economic ties with Japan, though arguments persist over the role of that nation in China during World War II.
United Kingdom
Relations with the United Kingdom have been friendly since the sovereignty of Hong Kong, a former British colony, passed to the PRC in 1997.
Asia
On the other hand, the PRC is eyed with some unease in Asia and the wider world, as a potential spark for possible conflict and even, through coal mining and burning to power the country, as a future source of runaway global warming.