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China (Traditional Chinese: 中國; Simplified Chinese: 中国; Hanyu Pinyin: Zhōngguó (help·info); Tongyong Pinyin: Jhongguó) is a cultural region and ancient civilization in East Asia. China is one of the world's oldest civilizations, consisting of states and cultures dating back more than six millennia. The stalemate of the last Chinese Civil War following World War II has resulted in two de-facto political entities using the name China: the People's Republic of China (PRC), de-facto administering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau; and the Republic of China (ROC), de-facto administering Taiwan and its surrounding islands. See Political status of Taiwan for more information.

Read the full background at Wikipedia

Photos 

Wenhao Liang  of China, leads the race ahead  Yuma Sakurai, left, of Japan during the men's 1000 metre quarterfinals event at the ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championship in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, Sunday, March, 21, 2010.

Wenhao Liang of China, leads the race ahead Yuma Sakurai, left, of Japan during the men's 1000 metre quarterfinals event at the ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championship in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, Sunday, March, 21, 2010.

AP 

Jialiang Han of China, leads the race during the men's 1000 metres quarterfinals at the ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championship in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, Sunday, March, 21, 2010.

Jialiang Han of China, leads the race during the men's 1000 metres quarterfinals at the ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championship in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, Sunday, March, 21, 2010.

AP 

Meng Wang  of China, leads the race as Jorien ter Moris of the Netherlands falls on the ice during the ladies 1000 metres quarterfinals at the ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championship in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, Sunday, March, 21, 2010.

Meng Wang of China, leads the race as Jorien ter Moris of the Netherlands falls on the ice during the ladies 1000 metres quarterfinals at the ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championship in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, Sunday, March, 21, 2010.

AP 

Lin Lin Sun of China, leads the race during the ladies 1000 metres heats at the ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championship in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, Sunday, March, 21, 2010.

Lin Lin Sun of China, leads the race during the ladies 1000 metres heats at the ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championship in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, Sunday, March, 21, 2010.

AP 

Wenhao Liang of China, leads the race during the men's 1000 metres heats at the ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championship in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, Sunday, March, 21, 2010.

Wenhao Liang of China, leads the race during the men's 1000 metres heats at the ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championship in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, Sunday, March, 21, 2010.

AP 

People walk near the Google company logo outside the Google China headquarters in Beijing on March 21, 2010. Chinese media unleashed a torrent of criticism against Google after reports it would leave the country, with state news agency Xinhua alleging the company was linked to US intelligence.

People walk near the Google company logo outside the Google China headquarters in Beijing on March 21, 2010. Chinese media unleashed a torrent of criticism against Google after reports it would leave the country, with state news agency Xinhua alleging the company was linked to US intelligence.

AFP 

A man walks near the Google company logo outside the Google China headquarters in Beijing on March 21, 2010. Chinese media unleashed a torrent of criticism against Google after reports it would leave the country, with state news agency Xinhua alleging the company was linked to US intelligence.

A man walks near the Google company logo outside the Google China headquarters in Beijing on March 21, 2010. Chinese media unleashed a torrent of criticism against Google after reports it would leave the country, with state news agency Xinhua alleging the company was linked to US intelligence.

AFP 

Chinese villagers draw water from a 158-year-old well in Caojiazhuang village, on the outskirts of Guiyang, southwestern China's Guizhou province on March 20, 2010. Millions of people face drinking water shortages in southwestern China because of a once-a-century drought that has dried up rivers and threatens vast farmlands in Guizhou, Yunnan, and Sichuan provinces, the Guangxi region, and the mega-city of Chongqing for months, with rainfall 60 percent below normal since September.

Chinese villagers draw water from a 158-year-old well in Caojiazhuang village, on the outskirts of Guiyang, southwestern China's Guizhou province on March 20, 2010. Millions of people face drinking water shortages in southwestern China because of a once-a-century drought that has dried up rivers and threatens vast farmlands in Guizhou, Yunnan, and Sichuan provinces, the Guangxi region, and the mega-city of Chongqing for months, with rainfall 60 percent below normal since September.

AFP 

A Chinese farmer shows his dried up pond in Caojiazhuang village in the outskirts of Guiyang, southwestern China's Guizhou province on March 20, 2010. Millions of people face drinking water shortages in southwestern China because of a once-a-century drought that has dried up rivers and threatens vast farmlands in Guizhou, Yunnan, and Sichuan provinces, the Guangxi region, and the mega-city of Chongqing for months, with rainfall 60 percent below normal since September.

A Chinese farmer shows his dried up pond in Caojiazhuang village in the outskirts of Guiyang, southwestern China's Guizhou province on March 20, 2010. Millions of people face drinking water shortages in southwestern China because of a once-a-century drought that has dried up rivers and threatens vast farmlands in Guizhou, Yunnan, and Sichuan provinces, the Guangxi region, and the mega-city of Chongqing for months, with rainfall 60 percent below normal since September.

AFP 

Swiss tightrope walker Freddy Nock prepares to attempt to scale the 690 meter-long cable car line on Zhangjiajie mountain, using only a balancing pole, in central China's Hunan province on March 20, 2010. Nock failed in his attempt after completing only 200 meters up the cable to the majestic peak previously known as 'Heaven and Earth Pillar' or 'South Sky Pillar', but has been officially renamed 'Avatar Hallelujah Mountain,' after it was believed to have inspired a floating mountain, one of the most dramatic images in the futuristic adventure movie Avatar.

Swiss tightrope walker Freddy Nock prepares to attempt to scale the 690 meter-long cable car line on Zhangjiajie mountain, using only a balancing pole, in central China's Hunan province on March 20, 2010. Nock failed in his attempt after completing only 200 meters up the cable to the majestic peak previously known as 'Heaven and Earth Pillar' or 'South Sky Pillar', but has been officially renamed 'Avatar Hallelujah Mountain,' after it was believed to have inspired a floating mountain, one of the most dramatic images in the futuristic adventure movie Avatar.

AFP 

Onlookers gather as Swiss tightrope walker Freddy Nock scales the 690 meter-long cable car line on Zhangjiajie mountain, using only a balancing pole, in central China's Hunan province on March 20, 2010. Nock failed in his attempt after completing only 200 meters up the cable to the majestic peak previously known as 'Heaven and Earth Pillar' or 'South Sky Pillar', but has been officially renamed 'Avatar Hallelujah Mountain,' after it was believed to have inspired a floating mountain, one of the most dramatic images in the futuristic adventure movie Avatar.

Onlookers gather as Swiss tightrope walker Freddy Nock scales the 690 meter-long cable car line on Zhangjiajie mountain, using only a balancing pole, in central China's Hunan province on March 20, 2010. Nock failed in his attempt after completing only 200 meters up the cable to the majestic peak previously known as 'Heaven and Earth Pillar' or 'South Sky Pillar', but has been officially renamed 'Avatar Hallelujah Mountain,' after it was believed to have inspired a floating mountain, one of the most dramatic images in the futuristic adventure movie Avatar.

AFP 

Swiss tightrope walker Freddy Nock attempts to scale the 690 meter-long cable car line on Zhangjiajie mountain, using only a balancing pole, in central China's Hunan province on March 20, 2010. Nock failed in his attempt after completing only 200 meters up the cable to the majestic peak previously known as 'Heaven and Earth Pillar' or 'South Sky Pillar', but has been officially renamed 'Avatar Hallelujah Mountain,' after it was believed to have inspired a floating mountain, one of the most dramatic images in the futuristic adventure movie Avatar.

Swiss tightrope walker Freddy Nock attempts to scale the 690 meter-long cable car line on Zhangjiajie mountain, using only a balancing pole, in central China's Hunan province on March 20, 2010. Nock failed in his attempt after completing only 200 meters up the cable to the majestic peak previously known as 'Heaven and Earth Pillar' or 'South Sky Pillar', but has been officially renamed 'Avatar Hallelujah Mountain,' after it was believed to have inspired a floating mountain, one of the most dramatic images in the futuristic adventure movie Avatar.

AFP 

Swiss tightrope walker Freddy Nock prepares to attempt to scale the 690 meter-long cable car line on Zhangjiajie mountain, using only a balancing pole, in central China's Hunan province on March 20, 2010. Nock failed in his attempt after completing only 200 meters up the cable to the majestic peak previously known as 'Heaven and Earth Pillar' or 'South Sky Pillar', but has been officially renamed 'Avatar Hallelujah Mountain,' after it was believed to have inspired a floating mountain, one of the most dramatic images in the futuristic adventure movie Avatar.

Swiss tightrope walker Freddy Nock prepares to attempt to scale the 690 meter-long cable car line on Zhangjiajie mountain, using only a balancing pole, in central China's Hunan province on March 20, 2010. Nock failed in his attempt after completing only 200 meters up the cable to the majestic peak previously known as 'Heaven and Earth Pillar' or 'South Sky Pillar', but has been officially renamed 'Avatar Hallelujah Mountain,' after it was believed to have inspired a floating mountain, one of the most dramatic images in the futuristic adventure movie Avatar.

AFP 

Swiss tightrope walker Freddy Nock scales the 690 meter-long cable car line on Zhangjiajie mountain, using only a balancing pole, in central China's Hunan province on March 20, 2010. Nock failed in his attempt after completing only 200 meters up the cable to the majestic peak previously known as 'Heaven and Earth Pillar' or 'South Sky Pillar', but has been officially renamed 'Avatar Hallelujah Mountain,' after it was believed to have inspired a floating mountain, one of the most dramatic images in the futuristic adventure movie Avatar.

Swiss tightrope walker Freddy Nock scales the 690 meter-long cable car line on Zhangjiajie mountain, using only a balancing pole, in central China's Hunan province on March 20, 2010. Nock failed in his attempt after completing only 200 meters up the cable to the majestic peak previously known as 'Heaven and Earth Pillar' or 'South Sky Pillar', but has been officially renamed 'Avatar Hallelujah Mountain,' after it was believed to have inspired a floating mountain, one of the most dramatic images in the futuristic adventure movie Avatar.

AFP 

Onlookers gather as Swiss tightrope walker Freddy Nock attempts to scale the 690 meter-long cable car line on Zhangjiajie mountain, using only a balancing pole, in central China's Hunan province on March 20, 2010. Nock failed in his attempt after completing only 200 meters up the cable to the majestic peak previously known as 'Heaven and Earth Pillar' or 'South Sky Pillar', but has been officially renamed 'Avatar Hallelujah Mountain,' after it was believed to have inspired a floating mountain, one of the most dramatic images in the futuristic adventure movie Avatar.

Onlookers gather as Swiss tightrope walker Freddy Nock attempts to scale the 690 meter-long cable car line on Zhangjiajie mountain, using only a balancing pole, in central China's Hunan province on March 20, 2010. Nock failed in his attempt after completing only 200 meters up the cable to the majestic peak previously known as 'Heaven and Earth Pillar' or 'South Sky Pillar', but has been officially renamed 'Avatar Hallelujah Mountain,' after it was believed to have inspired a floating mountain, one of the most dramatic images in the futuristic adventure movie Avatar.

AFP 

Onlookers gather as Swiss tightrope walker Freddy Nock attempts to scale the 690 meter-long cable car line on Zhangjiajie mountain, using only a balancing pole, in central China's Hunan province on March 20, 2010. Nock failed in his attempt after completing only 200 meters up the cable to the majestic peak previously known as 'Heaven and Earth Pillar' or 'South Sky Pillar', but has been officially renamed 'Avatar Hallelujah Mountain,' after it was believed to have inspired a floating mountain, one of the most dramatic images in the futuristic adventure movie Avatar.

Onlookers gather as Swiss tightrope walker Freddy Nock attempts to scale the 690 meter-long cable car line on Zhangjiajie mountain, using only a balancing pole, in central China's Hunan province on March 20, 2010. Nock failed in his attempt after completing only 200 meters up the cable to the majestic peak previously known as 'Heaven and Earth Pillar' or 'South Sky Pillar', but has been officially renamed 'Avatar Hallelujah Mountain,' after it was believed to have inspired a floating mountain, one of the most dramatic images in the futuristic adventure movie Avatar.

AFP 

Swiss tightrope walker Freddy Nock attempts to scale the 690 meter-long cable car line on Zhangjiajie mountain, using only a balancing pole, in central China's Hunan province on March 20, 2010. Nock failed in his attempt after completing only 200 meters up the cable to the majestic peak previously known as 'Heaven and Earth Pillar' or 'South Sky Pillar', but has been officially renamed 'Avatar Hallelujah Mountain,' after it was believed to have inspired a floating mountain, one of the most dramatic images in the futuristic adventure movie Avatar.

Swiss tightrope walker Freddy Nock attempts to scale the 690 meter-long cable car line on Zhangjiajie mountain, using only a balancing pole, in central China's Hunan province on March 20, 2010. Nock failed in his attempt after completing only 200 meters up the cable to the majestic peak previously known as 'Heaven and Earth Pillar' or 'South Sky Pillar', but has been officially renamed 'Avatar Hallelujah Mountain,' after it was believed to have inspired a floating mountain, one of the most dramatic images in the futuristic adventure movie Avatar.

AFP 

Swiss tightrope walker Freddy Nock takes a break as he prepares to scale the 690 meter-long cable car line on Zhangjiajie mountain, using only a balancing pole, in central China's Hunan province on March 20, 2010. Nock failed in his attempt after completing only 200 meters up the cable to the majestic peak previously known as 'Heaven and Earth Pillar' or 'South Sky Pillar', but has been officially renamed 'Avatar Hallelujah Mountain,' after it was believed to have inspired a floating mountain, one of the most dramatic images in the futuristic adventure movie Avatar.

Swiss tightrope walker Freddy Nock takes a break as he prepares to scale the 690 meter-long cable car line on Zhangjiajie mountain, using only a balancing pole, in central China's Hunan province on March 20, 2010. Nock failed in his attempt after completing only 200 meters up the cable to the majestic peak previously known as 'Heaven and Earth Pillar' or 'South Sky Pillar', but has been officially renamed 'Avatar Hallelujah Mountain,' after it was believed to have inspired a floating mountain, one of the most dramatic images in the futuristic adventure movie Avatar.

AFP 

Swiss tightrope walker Freddy Nock (R) attempts to scale the 690 meter-long cable car line on Zhangjiajie mountain, using only a balancing pole, in central China's Hunan province on March 20, 2010. Nock failed in his attempt after completing only 200 meters up the cable to the majestic peak previously known as 'Heaven and Earth Pillar' or 'South Sky Pillar', but has been officially renamed 'Avatar Hallelujah Mountain,' after it was believed to have inspired a floating mountain, one of the most dramatic images in the futuristic adventure movie Avatar.

Swiss tightrope walker Freddy Nock (R) attempts to scale the 690 meter-long cable car line on Zhangjiajie mountain, using only a balancing pole, in central China's Hunan province on March 20, 2010. Nock failed in his attempt after completing only 200 meters up the cable to the majestic peak previously known as 'Heaven and Earth Pillar' or 'South Sky Pillar', but has been officially renamed 'Avatar Hallelujah Mountain,' after it was believed to have inspired a floating mountain, one of the most dramatic images in the futuristic adventure movie Avatar.

AFP 

WHISTLER, BC - MARCH 20:  Dexin Zou of the People's Republic of China lies on the ground after competing in the Men's Relay 1x4km + 2x5km race during Day 9 of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Paralympics at Whistler Paralympic Park on March 20, 2010 in Whistler, Canada.

WHISTLER, BC - MARCH 20: Dexin Zou of the People's Republic of China lies on the ground after competing in the Men's Relay 1x4km + 2x5km race during Day 9 of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Paralympics at Whistler Paralympic Park on March 20, 2010 in Whistler, Canada.

Getty Images North America 

Wenhao Liang  of China, leads the race ahead  Yuma Sakurai, left, of Japan during the men's 1000 metre quarterfinals event at the ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championship in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, Sunday, March, 21, 2010.

Wenhao Liang of China, leads the race ahead Yuma Sakurai, left, of Japan during the men's 1000 metre quarterfinals event at the ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championship in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, Sunday, March, 21, 2010.

AP 

Jialiang Han of China, leads the race during the men's 1000 metres quarterfinals at the ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championship in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, Sunday, March, 21, 2010.

Jialiang Han of China, leads the race during the men's 1000 metres quarterfinals at the ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championship in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, Sunday, March, 21, 2010.

AP 

Meng Wang  of China, leads the race as Jorien ter Moris of the Netherlands falls on the ice during the ladies 1000 metres quarterfinals at the ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championship in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, Sunday, March, 21, 2010.

Meng Wang of China, leads the race as Jorien ter Moris of the Netherlands falls on the ice during the ladies 1000 metres quarterfinals at the ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championship in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, Sunday, March, 21, 2010.

AP 

Lin Lin Sun of China, leads the race during the ladies 1000 metres heats at the ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championship in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, Sunday, March, 21, 2010.

Lin Lin Sun of China, leads the race during the ladies 1000 metres heats at the ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championship in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, Sunday, March, 21, 2010.

AP 

Wenhao Liang of China, leads the race during the men's 1000 metres heats at the ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championship in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, Sunday, March, 21, 2010.

Wenhao Liang of China, leads the race during the men's 1000 metres heats at the ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championship in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, Sunday, March, 21, 2010.

AP 

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