http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/china.htm
___ China, 中国
Destination China, a virtual travel guide to mainland China, the most populated country on earth, which in turn is also a controversial nation
Background:
For centuries China has stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences.
But in the first half of the 20th century, China was beset by major famines, civil unrest, military defeats, and foreign occupation. After World War II, the Communists under MAO Zedong established a dictatorship that, while ensuring China's sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life and cost the lives of tens of millions of people.
After 1978, Mao's successor DENG Xiaoping gradually introduced market-oriented reforms and decentralized economic decision making. Output quadrupled in the next 20 years and China now has the world's second largest GDP. Political controls remain tight even while economic controls continue to weaken.
(Source: CIA - The World Factbook)

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ch.html
Background:

For centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences, but in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the country was beset by civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. After World War II, the communists under MAO Zedong established an autocratic socialist system that, while ensuring China's sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life and cost the lives of tens of millions of people. After 1978, MAO's successor DENG Xiaoping and other leaders focused on market-oriented economic development and by 2000 output had quadrupled. For much of the population, living standards have improved dramatically and the room for personal choice has expanded, yet political controls remain tight. Since the early 1990s, China has increased its global outreach and participation in international organizations.

Religions:

Daoist (Taoist), Buddhist, Christian 3%-4%, Muslim 1%-2% note: officially atheist (2002 est.) (Country has no control of there Religions)

Languages:

Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the Beijing dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghainese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages (see Ethnic groups entry) note: Mongolian is official in Nei Mongol, Uighur is official in Xinjiang Uygur, and Tibetan is official in Xizang (Tibet)

http://www.tmf-group.com/en/Media-Centre/News-Comments-and-Features/April-2013/China-a-land-of-opportunities-and-challenges
China a land of opportunities and challenges
Doing business in China is a notoriously tricky thing, with many barriers to entry and a diverse consumer base which can be difficult to navigate. However, for businesses that get it right, the Chinese economy offers endless opportunities, which is why doing plenty of due diligence and forgetting the ‘rules of the West’ is crucial.
China has been heralded as an export economy for the last 30 years, with vast manufacturing operations and a willingness to export at a good price. Yet there has been a change in tide of late as the middle class grows and consumers become increasingly affluent. This presents a huge opportunity for overseas businesses to expand within a rapidly growing economy. Still, the age-old challenges remain.
Think East
China is a country of more than 1.3 billion people living in some 274 cities and rural areas. Spread out over the world’s third largest country, China is as diverse as it is big.
As the country rode an economic boom that has lasted for some 30 years, traditional towns have been replaced with vast city landscapes, leaving gaps and niches for savvy entrepreneurs to fill. Having local representatives in the country to help identify where these opportunities are is essential, and good relations with the local Chambers of Commerce can