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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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China

China is a country in East Asia officially known as the People's Republic of China.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world’s most populous country and one of the largest by land area, with Beijing as its capital.

Geography

China occupies a large part of East Asia and borders multiple countries by land and sea. Its territory includes extensive coastlines, islands, and a variety of inland and maritime regions.

Government and administration

The People's Republic of China is a single-party state led by the Communist Party of China. Its administrative system includes 23 provinces, 5 autonomous regions, 4 directly controlled municipalities, and 2 special administrative regions.

Population and language

China is the world’s most populous country, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion. Standard Chinese (Mandarin) is the main official language, alongside many regional and minority languages.

International status

China is widely recognised internationally as a major sovereign state in Asia. The status of Taiwan remains politically disputed and is treated differently by various sources.

Key facts

  • China is located in eastern Asia on the western shore of the Pacific Ocean.
  • It has an area of about 9.6 million square kilometres and is one of the world’s largest countries.
  • China is the world’s most populous country, with more than 1.3 billion people.
  • Beijing is the capital city.
  • The People's Republic of China is governed as a single-party state under the Communist Party of China.
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Canadian context

Canada and China maintain broad economic, diplomatic, and people-to-people ties, making China an important country for Canadian foreign policy, trade, and global affairs.

Frequently asked questions

What is China’s official name?
China’s official name is the People's Republic of China.
What is the capital of China?
Beijing is the capital of China.
How big is China?
China has an area of about 9.6 million square kilometres, making it one of the world’s largest countries.
How many people live in China?
China’s population is over 1.4 billion, making it the world’s most populous country.
What kind of government does China have?
China is described by the sources as a single-party state governed by the Communist Party of China.

References

  1. Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Poland — https://pl.china-embassy.gov.cn/gyzg/201902/t20190202_2217638.htm
    Supports: Location in East Asia, area, coastline, land and sea borders, administrative divisions, and capital
  2. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations — https://www.fao.org/china/fao-in-china/china-at-a-glance/zh/
    Supports: Location, area, population, ethnic composition, and administrative divisions
  3. IEA SHC — https://www.iea-shc.org/countries/china
    Supports: Official name, population, area, government type, administrative divisions, and capital
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/China
    Supports: China as a country in East Asia, area, and population context
  5. CountryReports.org — https://www.countryreports.org/zh/country/China
    Supports: Currency and language information
  6. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/China
    Supports: General encyclopedic identification of China as a country in East Asia