China

For patriotic songs from Greater China, see Category:Chinese patriotic songs.

China is an emerging world superpower in East Asia. Officially the People's Republic of China, it is a one-party state governed by the Chinese Communist Party, which was founded by Mao Zedong. It has a fast growing economy and military.

It has the oldest continuous civilization. It has archaeological evidence over 5,000 years old. It also has the world's oldest writing system still in use today. It reached its golden age during the Tang Dynasty of the 10th century. Home of Confucianism and Daoism, it had great influence on nearby countries including Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.

Before the Qin Dynasty united China, there were hundreds of small states that fought each other for hundreds of years in a war to control China (Warring States Period). Although the continuing wars made people suffer, it was at this time when many of the great philosophies of the East were born, including Confucianism and Daoism.

China had often been attacked by northern nomadic peoples such as the Turks and the Mongols. Many of the strongest dynasties of China were ruled by northerners, including the Mongol-ruled Qin, Tang, and Yuan, and the Manchu-led Qing. Those living in China have assimilated into Chinese society. China is home to at least 56 ethnic groups, including the Uyghurs, Tibetans, Mongols, Kazakhs, Koreans, and many more.

In 1912, the Qing dynasty was overthrown by Sun Yat-sen and the Guomindang, and the Republic of China was established. Over time, Marxist ideas grew popular and Mao Zedong founded the CCP. A civil war later ensued between the nationalists and the communists. While fighting, Japan invaded Manchuria but surrendered. The communists eventually won the war, forcing Chiang Kai-shek and the nationalists to flee to the island of Taiwan and set up their new capital city of Taipei. Mainland China officially became a communist country in 1949, and remains so to this day.