China is a country with its own unique and wonderful culture. More than a million people come here every year to admire its beauty. Travelers choose this state not only to look at the greatest buildings of China, but also to get acquainted with the culture of the people.

The Celestial Empire (as this country is often called) is home to many nations. Because of this, traditions, everyday life, and lifestyle acquire new motives. Although more than 90% of the population are indigenous Chinese, they readily accept changes in their culture, easily allowing other nations into life.

There are minorities in China who speak their own dialect. At the moment, many people speak various Chinese dialects that differ from the generally accepted norms; there are about 300 of them, including Jurchen (one of

China

Known throughout the world for its tourist sites. Travelers are attracted by rural views that gradually give way to city skyscrapers. Landscapes are the first reason why there are so many foreigners here. They can surprise not only experienced tourists, but also the most inexperienced ones.

In ancient times, the people of China considered their homeland to be the center of the whole world. Those nations who lived on the border of the country were called barbarians. They were often subject to repression and discrimination.

Residents have great respect for books, scientists and various knowledge. All businessmen must have business cards with text printed in Chinese and English. The Chinese are characterized by saving, so they easily and quickly accumulate huge capital.

Geography of China

China is a country located in eastern Asia. It borders on 15 states. The territory is washed by the South China, Yellow and East China seas. It must be said that the Celestial Empire has a sufficient number of mountains. Only 30% of the total is below sea level. In addition to the hills, there are bodies of water. They are famous for their properties as well as their beautiful views. Many rivers are used for shipping, fishing and irrigation. Minerals such as oil, coal, ore, manganese, zinc, lead, etc. are mined here.

China on the map is conventionally divided into two parts: eastern (located in East Asia) and western (located in Central Asia). This country's possessions include Taiwan and Hainan. These islands are the largest.

History of the country

After the formation of the Republic of China, the first ruling dynasty was the Shang. After some time, she was replaced by the Zhou tribe. Subsequently, the territory was divided into several parts, for which wars were constantly fought. It was because of them that a multi-kilometer wall was erected to protect against the gunas. The heyday of the state coincided with the period of the Han Dynasty. At that time, China already occupied a significant place on the map, having expanded its borders to the south and west.

Almost immediately after the conquest of Taiwan (which is still a colony of the country to this day), the state became a republic. This happened in 1949. The government constantly carried out various cultural reforms, and also tried to change the economic sphere. China's ideology has changed.

Chinese as a nation

The Chinese are a nation inhabiting the People's Republic of China. In terms of their numbers, they deservedly took first place. call themselves "Han". This name came about due to the fact that it was able to unite the entire territory of the state under one government. In ancient times, the word "Han" meant "Milky Way". This is due to the fact that the people of China called their country the Celestial Empire.

The largest number of Han Chinese are found in China. More than 1 billion people live here. They also make up almost 98% of the total population of Taiwan. It is safe to say that the Chinese inhabit absolutely all districts and municipalities.

The USA, Canada, Australia are the states that currently lead in terms of the number of Chinese diaspora. Over the past 5 years, almost 40 million Han Chinese have moved to these countries.

Peoples inhabiting China

According to official data, representatives of 56 nations live in the Republic of China. Due to the fact that the Chinese occupy more than 92% of the population, the remaining nationalities are divided into minorities. The number of such people in the country greatly exceeds the figure announced by the government.

In the south of the country, residents speak northern. However, it is worth noting that they still belong to the Han group.

Main peoples of China:

Chinese (Han, Huizu, Bai);
Tibeto-Burman (Tujia, Yi, Tibetans, etc.);
Thai (chuang, bui, dun, etc.);
Kadai (Gelao);
whether peoples;
Miao-Yao peoples (Miao, Yao, She);
Mon-Khmer (Wa, Bulan, Jing, etc.);
Mongolian (Mongols, Dongxiang, Tu, etc.);
Turkic (Uighurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, etc.);
Tungus-Manchu (Manchus, Sibos, Evenks, etc.):
Taiwanese (Gaoshan);
Indo-European (Pamir Tajiks, Russians).

State culture

The culture of the Chinese people goes back to ancient times. It began to emerge even before our era. There are legends that the gods passed on certain principles of life and way of life to the Chinese. In the history of the Celestial Empire, colossal changes in culture can be traced over several centuries.

The main myths of the state, known today, tell the story that Pangu created the whole world, Nuwa created humanity, Shen Nun was able to discover special medicinal plants, and Qiang Ze became the father of writing.

Since ancient times, the architecture of China has had a powerful influence on the structures of Vietnam, Japan and Korea.

Standard houses have a maximum of two floors. In cities, modern buildings have acquired a Western look over time, while in villages the original design of residential buildings is preserved.

Traditions of the Chinese people

Many traditions are associated with etiquette, ceremonies, and gifts. It was they who gave birth to some proverbs that have spread throughout the world.

In order to feel comfortable in this country, you need to know the basic rules of this nation:

A handshake is a respectful gesture used by the Chinese when greeting foreigners.
Knives, scissors and other cutting objects should never be given as gifts. They mean a break in the relationship. Apart from these, it is better not to give a watch, a scarf, flowers, or straw sandals. These things mean imminent death for the Chinese people.
People don’t eat with forks here, so you should get used to eating with special chopsticks.
Gifts should be opened at home, not immediately upon receipt.
Tourists are not recommended to wear brightly colored clothing. You should choose those things that are made in pastel colors. This is explained by the fact that the people of China have a bad attitude towards this type of self-expression.

Attractions

The main attraction that has been preserved since ancient times is the Great Wall of China. It was built in the 3rd century BC. At that time, its length was almost 5 thousand km, its height varied from 6 to 10 m.

Beijing is home to other important architectural structures that are popular among tourists. Most of them were built in the XV-XIX centuries. Shanghai is rich in temples, the decoration of which is made of precious stone. The center of Lamaism is Lhasa. The people of China love another cultural heritage - the monastery in which the residence of the Dalai Lama was located.

Some mountains (Huangshan), caves (Mogao), Victoria Port, the Li River and the Forbidden City are also considered attractions. Ancient Buddhist buildings are common.

The Chinese remain the largest people on the planet. They are considered one of the most hardworking, collectivized and wise people in the world. Chinese culture includes traditions, a complex way of life in the eyes of Europeans, reverence for elders, and ancestor worship. The history of the Chinese people is amazing, and the realities of modern life are very different from the rest of the world.

Name

The word "China", which is "zhongguo" in Chinese, means "center". In this context, the geographic location is implied. Previously, the country was called Zhongguo - the Middle State. This name first appeared back in 1045 BC. The center was understood as a small area surrounding the capital. Another name has come down to us - “Celestial Empire”. In Chinese it sounds like "tianxia". During the Han Dynasty, all residents were called Han and believed that they lived under the sky.

In Latin, the country is written as China. Historians disagree about who was the first to use this name. The most popular version is considered to be of Persian origin - the Persians wrote Chīn, indicating rulers from the Qin dynasty. From the Persians the word passed to the Romans, who coined the word Cina.

Story

Chinese civilization is considered to be one of the oldest in the world. According to written sources, its age is at least 3500 years. The period before 221 BC is usually called pre-imperial. It is the most poorly studied - historians know little. The first Chinese dynasty was called the Xia, ruled by Emperor Yu. The Xia reign lasted quite a long time - from the 20th to the 18th centuries BC. The Xia divided power between the clergy and secular rulers. Later, the powers of the secular ruler became formal. Xia is credited with creating the first calendars, which were forgotten for a thousand years and then brought back into use.

The pre-imperial period included the reign of the Shang and Zhou dynasties. Historians believe that both dynasties practiced totemism. The Shang system was matriarchal. The Zhou were pastoralists who replaced the Shang and remained rulers until the 3rd century BC. The Zhou were constantly faced with wars and had weak centralized power, which led to the extinction of the dynasty. With the advent of the imperial period, which lasted almost 2 thousand years, China became one of the strongest countries in the world.

China gained integrity with the coming to power of Emperor Qin, who began the unification of the divided kingdoms. He conquered neighboring territories and is credited with portraying a strong leader with clear political ambitions. It is his grave that is guarded by the terracotta army.

The Tang dynasty, which ruled from 618 to 907 AD, made a significant contribution to the history of China. The approach to management of Tang representatives clearly demonstrates the rapid development of culture, trade, and applied arts with state support. The heyday of poetry and philosophy occurred precisely during the Tang dynasty. However, civil strife gradually began in the country, the Tang fell into decline, the Mongol conquerors increasingly attacked and by the 13th century conquered significant territories, founding the Yuan dynasty. The Chinese managed to fight back, but around the middle of the 17th century they were attacked again - the Mongols took advantage of another civil strife, which led to the destruction of the Ming dynasty. As a result, the rights to the throne remained with the Chinese, but in 1911 the imperial system came to an end. The Xinhai Revolution marked the beginning of the People's Republic, now called the People's Republic of China. The Communist Party has been in power since 1949.

Character

Many people imagine the Chinese as wise and benevolent people. In most cases, this is true, but it is important to understand that depending on the field of activity, people in China can be very different. It is known that in matters of diplomacy, the Chinese are considered one of the most cunning, often problematic negotiators. When communicating with Chinese entrepreneurs, one can detect a ceremonialism similar to the tea ceremony. The Chinese do not skimp on friendly expressions, compliments, jokes - everything to achieve the final goal. The history of Chinese diplomacy goes back hundreds of years. In military affairs, the Chinese have achieved great success, but they have always relied on diplomacy as their best weapon. The Chinese are naturally curious people. Asking a foreigner about life and even the simplest little things is a matter of duty. The Chinese do not hesitate to look at tourists, actively discussing their appearance.

Much curiosity is associated with the long period of self-isolation. The geographical position of such a life only contributed, so the Chinese had to establish communications with representatives of other states for a long time. Until recently, the country's history included an unpleasant period that included occupation, civilian war, confrontation with Japan, and revolutionary movements. However, this did not make the people aggressive. The Chinese remain shy when complimented, inquisitive, and young people are actively interested in fashion trends in the West.

The Chinese do not consider themselves an ambitious people. It is their custom for everyone to take their own place. Officials are prohibited from owning a business, and entrepreneurs are prohibited from becoming officials. They are the ones who say that living in an era of change is a real punishment. When you come to China, it may seem that the cities there live a hectic life, and people are always in a hurry to get somewhere. In reality, such chaos is explained by the dense population. The Chinese themselves are a leisurely people who love a slow life.

Peculiarities

Compared to the peculiarities of the European way of life, China may seem like another planet. It is not customary for the Chinese to compliment girls when they first meet, especially in terms of appearance. The attitude towards women is, in principle, special: the wife of the head of the family receives guests, but does not participate in the feast, but only looks after everyone. Guests should not pay more attention to the hostess than to her husband. Gradually, in large cities, the custom is becoming a thing of the past, which is regulated by the Constitution of the People's Republic of China. A woman has equal rights with a man in all respects. Let it be nominal for now.

The Chinese have an unusual attitude towards handshakes. You can serve with your left or right hand - it doesn't matter to them. The handshake process itself can take place arbitrarily: the Chinese will either twirl his hand, then pull it down, or simply pat the other hand on the wrist. The Chinese are simply unfamiliar with this ritual, although young people have already mastered it. For some time, even state newspapers published rules for shaking hands. Here are a number of other features of Chinese life:

As a sign of special respect, the Chinese slap each other on the shoulders, tug at each other's sleeves or elbows. Previously, such a manifestation of sympathy was condemned by law and strict morals. Now different times have come, it has become easier for people to show friendliness and warmth to each other;
When talking about themselves, the Chinese point their fingers not at the chest, but at the nose. Using fingers to point at other people is considered indecent - this is done in disputes during fights;
Hearing the accusation, a person from China may smile. This does not mean ridicule; this is how the Chinese communicate a feeling of guilt. As a sign of apology, the person shows an open right palm. This is exactly the kind of gesture that a passer-by will show if he accidentally pushes another;
A common habit is to spin a pencil, pen, or small balls. The exercise develops the hand muscles well and relieves stress from stiff joints;
Sign language in Chinese society is very developed. If you place your thumb on the upper phalanx of your little finger, you are showing disapproval. Place the fingers of both hands together to indicate a romantic connection between two people. During the holidays, Chinese adults congratulate each other with the clenched fist, open palm gesture. It is often used by Wushu fighters as a sign of greeting to spectators and respect for each other;
When eating rice, hold the bowl with one hand and hold the chopsticks with the other. This is not only a feature, but a custom that dates back to ancient times. A cup of rice has always symbolized prosperity to be held tightly.

Traditions

Chopsticks are considered more convenient and useful in China than forks. In the process of using sticks, a number of muscles are activated, which allows you to keep them in good shape.
Using knives is considered bad manners. The food is pre-cut into convenient pieces.
It is customary to serve a dish separately from a common plate. The owner of the house will give the best piece to the guest as a sign of special respect.
Chopsticks are not placed on top of the bowl - this gesture is considered bad. The chopsticks should be placed next to the plate.
Chopsticks are designed specifically for eating food. There is no point in gesturing with cutlery.
Tea is not poured into the cup to the brim, and wine, on the contrary, is not stingy. The Chinese always drink to the bottom, but try to maintain their appearance.
It is customary to clink glasses with elders so that the glass is slightly lower.
While smoking, a pack of cigarettes is offered already unopened. If you let a Chinese man light a cigarette, as a sign of gratitude, he will touch your hand with his middle and index finger.
The farewell gesture “goodbye” looks like this: the open palm sways back and forth, and not from side to side. A pendulum movement indicates denial.
You cannot call children or adults with your finger. Exclusively with the palm.
Soups are served after hot dishes.
The dining culture differs depending on the regions.
The Chinese spend their extra money in restaurants or buy delicacies.
Serious issues are resolved during feasts, this also applies to business problems.
In China, it is customary to use personalized seals that are made of stone.
The Chinese live modestly because they are modest by nature. The majority have low material income.
A common hobby in China is raising canaries, fish or flowers. People are often interested in sports, calligraphy, and painting.
Work is carried out 6 days a week. Vacations are extremely rare.
Before a business meeting, the Chinese are always interested in the biography of potential partners, their family life, achievements, and hobbies.

Holidays

Traditionally, the bride wears a red dress to her wedding. Recently, the color began to change to white - more familiar to Europeans. Western influence can be seen in many aspects of life. Previously, a wedding celebration was a magnificent ceremony, which was associated with high costs. Marriages in China are very strong - the average divorce rate does not exceed 5%.

The funeral ritual requires bowing to the photograph of the deceased 3 times. In China, cremation is often used. White is chosen as the color of mourning; the Chinese wear mourning bands, wearing them on their sleeves.
New Year is celebrated with family and friends. As in European countries, the holiday is primarily a family one. You need to enter the New Year without debt. This is a rare moment when you can get time off from work. Chinese New Year is celebrated from January 20 to February 20. Of course, they won’t be allowed to rest for almost a month, but there will be a week for the holiday.

The Chinese celebrate Spring Day. On this holiday, it is customary to post paper signs right at the entrance to the house. On the last night before the holiday, the whole family gets together and has dinner. Then they wait for the New Year to arrive. The Spring Festival is considered one of the most magnificent in China - it is accompanied by parades with dragon dances, round dances of boats and acrobatic performances.

The famous Chinese Lantern Festival takes place in an atmosphere of mystery. People eat sweet cookies and admire the beautiful lanterns, which first appeared in the 1st century AD. Lanterns are sold at large fairs. There you can buy souvenirs of various shapes and sizes. Chinese craftsmen do not skimp on showing their imagination, creating amazing designs. Bright fireworks displays are a must for the holiday.

For the Chinese, the moon is more important than the sun. Almost all holidays are celebrated according to the Lunar calendar. However, there are some days that are dedicated only to the sun. They are called Hanshi and Qingming.

The holidays coincide with Russian Easter and often fall on a full moon. In Hanshi and Qingming it is customary to remember the dead and give sacrifices to ancestors. Relatives get together and remember relatives. The name Hanshi literally means "cold food". The origin is connected with the legend about the subject of one prince, who was the viceroy of the throne during the Jin dynasty. One day the prince was expelled and wandered for a long time. A faithful squire accompanied the master, took care of him and fed him. At a certain point there was no food left, and the squire cut out part of the thigh to feed the prince. The master recovered and was able to regain the right to the throne, but completely forgot about his most faithful servant. The squire took this as an insult and went into hermitage. The prince, who became the ruler, remembered him and asked to return to service, but the former squire refused the sovereign. The prince turned out to be extremely cruel, ordered to burn the forest where the hermit was hiding, bring him to the palace and punish him. The squire remained adamant and chose to die from fire, burning in the forest. This act impressed the ruler, who ordered that the flames in the hearths be extinguished on each anniversary of the death of the squire, in memory of the demonstrated fortitude. The similarity with Easter in Hanshi is evident in the decoration of eggs, although the custom is not observed in all areas of the country.

Food

The Chinese love to combine different tastes. They believe that exclusively sweet or salty foods dull the senses, so tastes need to be varied. Combining various ingredients allows chefs to sometimes create unusual culinary masterpieces that not all foreigners will like. From time immemorial, the profession of a cook in China was combined with the profession of a doctor. The Chinese place great importance on food and drink, and traditional medicine still dominates modern medicine. People prefer the use of garlic, ginger, onions and other gifts of nature to drug treatment. In China, soy sauce is used in huge quantities. The product contains a large amount of vitamins and macroelements. Due to the salty taste, there is no need to use pure salt.

Confucianism also penetrated into cooking. Following the canons, cooks must prepare food so that it is not overcooked or undercooked, be sure to add spices to dishes, and present them beautifully. On average, each dish can have 20 cooking options. In China, chefs use flash cooking to preserve nutrients and taste.

A Chinese meal traditionally begins with green tea. First come appetizers or hot dishes, which are certainly easily digestible and practically without spices. Then follow soups and various dishes in odd quantities. Attention is paid not only to serving, but also to the color scheme as a whole. The meal ends with dessert and tea.

The attitude of Chinese culinary critics towards food is noteworthy. They evaluate it according to a large number of criteria: stickiness, elasticity, juiciness, etc. To achieve the best results, the cook must use a variety of spices. Among them there are also very rare ones, for example, star anise, nutmeg, and bean extract.

Unlike Europeans, Chinese people do not often eat chicken eggs, replacing them with duck and quail eggs. Dairy products are also not very widespread. The Chinese prefer soybeans and soy-based products. The Chinese do not have standard bread in the broad sense. It is replaced by mantou - small buns that can be filled with meat or sweet filling. The name mantou translates as “barbarian head.” There is a legend associated with these unremarkable culinary creations, according to which, in order to successfully cross the river, the spirits had to be offered a human sacrifice. One day, a cunning commander made a head out of dough, deceiving the spirits.

There are few legends about noodles, although they are truly a legendary product. Most people in China eat only rice. The Chinese's favorite desserts are fruits, caramelized apples, ficus jelly, sweet turtle soup, and rice balls. Among the drinks, tea dominates, for which more than a hundred recipes and preparation methods have been invented.

National Costume

In China, national clothing has always been bright and colorful. Gradually, the traditional appearance of costumes for men and women took shape. Men's clothing included trousers and a shirt. Bag-shaped pants were hidden behind a low hem, since they were actually considered underwear. Beneath them, however, were another pair of pants called “taoku.” Depending on the time of year, they could be dense or thin.

Chinese shirts have gained popularity all over the world. At home, their parameters are regulated by the state. In general, they are all short in length and worn untucked. Shirts were first worn during the Tang Dynasty, hence the name “Tang”. The Chinese prefer calm colors, closer to neutral. Often clothes are decorated with embroidery. It is noteworthy that there is a clear division between casual and business attire.

Women's national Chinese costumes are extremely diverse. For girls from a noble family, silk was used for tailoring; decoration was done using gold, precious stones, and pearls. In its traditional form, Chinese women's costume is more suitable for holidays than for everyday wear.

A qipao dress, on the other hand, can be worn every day. It is characterized by a fitted cut and slits along the sides. Manchuria is considered the birthplace of the qipao. Today it has gained popularity far beyond China. Hollywood stars, girls from wealthy families, lovers of oriental studies - everyone is trying to buy at least one such dress. The qipao is sewn from thick natural silk, so it can be worn for quite a long time. All Chinese costumes are characterized by the use of air loops, elegant and at the same time simple forms.

The Chinese people show themselves to be unsurpassed in many ways. Having gone through adversity, he managed to achieve great heights. Ancient times are not forgotten by the Chinese, because they bring truly great achievements. Chinese art, invention, science, theater, hard work and unity are the few things that the whole world admires.

Introduction

China is one of the oldest countries in the world. On October 1, 1949, the People's Republic of China was proclaimed.

China ranks third in the world in terms of territory size (about 9.6 million km2). It is located in central and eastern Asia, on the western coast of the Pacific Ocean. The length of the country from east to west is 5,700 km, from north to south - 3,650, with 21.5 thousand km being land borders and about 15 thousand km being sea borders.

The PRC borders Russia, North Korea, Mongolia, Afghanistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam.

China is the largest country in the world in terms of population. The whole world is worried about the problems of China's ever-growing population. This issue could not go unnoticed by us. This work reveals such issues as the nationalities and nationalities inhabiting China, childbearing in the PRC and problems associated with it.

To address the issue, reference manuals and articles in popular science magazines were used. Statistical data was obtained from the global Internet.

Nationalities and nationalities of the People's Republic of China

The Chinese call their country Zhongguo, which means “Middle State” in Chinese. This name arose at a time when the inhabitants of China considered their homeland to be located in the center of the Universe. The name Zhong-hua is also ancient - “Middle Hua Tribe” (“Hua” is one of the early Chinese tribes).

The Chinese have called themselves “Han” since the ancient Han Dynasty. The European name of China - German Hina, French Shin, English China - comes from the word "Chin" - the Indian name of the Qin dynasty, the predecessor of the Han. The word China came into Russian from the name of the Khitan people, who once lived in the northwestern regions of China.

The People's Republic of China is a multinational country; 56 different nationalities and nationalities live on its territory. The most numerous are the Chinese, who make up about 92% of the total population of the country (according to the 1990 census); in addition to them, the following people live in the country: Zhuang, Hui, Uighurs, and Miao, Manchus, Tibetans, Mongols, Tujia, Bui, Koreans, Dong , Yao, Bai, Khani, Kazakhs, Tai, Li, Lisu, She, Lahu, Wa, Shui, Dong-Xiang, Nasi, Tu, Kirghiz, Qiang, Daurs, Jingpo, Mulao, Sibo, Salars, Bulans, Gelao, Maonan , Tajiks, Pumi, Well, Achans, Evenks, Jing, Benlongs, Uzbeks, Ji-no, Yugurs, Baoan, Dulongs, Orochons, Tatars, Russians, Gaoshan, Hezhe, Menba, Loba.

The ancient Chinese ethnos emerged at the beginning of the 1st millennium BC. e. on the Central China Plain. The Chinese are the bearers of the ancient plow farming culture. Their main occupation is irrigated rice sowing, in which they have valuable skills accumulated over centuries, as well as the cultivation of such industrial crops as soybeans, peanuts, etc., tea growing, and sericulture.

According to anthropological characteristics, the Chinese belong to the East Asian group of Pacific Mongoloids (North Chinese racial type). The consolidation of the ethnic community of the ancient Chinese served as one of the prerequisites for the unification of the ancient Chinese kingdoms.

The formation of the Chinese nation took place in the interfluve of the Yellow and Yangtze rivers in the basin of the tributaries of these rivers - Weihe and Han-jiang. Throughout history, this area expanded significantly due to the expansion of the Chinese to the north, south and west, during which the Chinese assimilated many of the non-Chinese peoples living there. The specificity of local conditions, the characteristics of those nationalities that were assimilated during colonization, and some local cultural and economic features determined the emergence of significant differences between groups of Chinese living in certain territories, which is manifested in the very physical type of people. Northern Chinese tend to be taller than southerners. Southerners are short and thin, but strong and resilient. There are very great differences not only in dialects, but also in the entire way of life.

The state official language is Putonghua (universal language). This is a modern literary language spoken by central radio and television announcers and taught to schoolchildren and students. The Beijing dialect is close to Putonghua. The differences in many other dialects - Guangdong, Anhui, etc. - are so great that people who speak them often do not understand each other. In order to communicate, they use hieroglyphic writing, which is common to all dialects.

Hieroglyphic writing had a huge impact on the development of Chinese culture, and also played a big role in the culture of Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. Hieroglyphs are symbols that denote a particular concept. The origins of hieroglyphics are pictographic writing in which the word was depicted in pictures. Gradually, the drawings were simplified and took the form of modern hieroglyphs.

The Chinese (Han) are part of the Chinese group of the Sino-Tibetan family. Along with the Chinese, the same group includes the Hui (Dungans). Most of them live in the northern regions of China. The Hui have their own autonomy - the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Although the Hui do not differ from the Chinese in their spoken language and writing, the peculiarities of religion, life, and economic management make it possible to distinguish them into a special group. Most Hui descend from Iranian-speaking and Arabic-speaking settlers who appeared in China in the 13th-14th centuries, and from Chinese colonists who settled among the Turkic peoples in the 2nd century. BC e. By religion, the Hui are Muslims. They usually settle separately from the Chinese, forming independent rural or urban neighborhoods.

The Sino-Tibetan family is also represented in China by the peoples of the Tibeto-Burman group, including the Tibetans, Itzu, Hani, and Lisu.

Most Tibetans live in the Tibet Autonomous Region. They are engaged in high-mountain arable farming - growing gymnosperm barley "qingke". Nomads and semi-nomads raise yaks, sheep, and goats. Tibetans are very different from the Han people in their religious, linguistic, economic and cultural characteristics. The desire of the Tibetans for independence, the later entry of Tibet into China and other factors led to instability of the political situation in the region and aggravated national contradictions.

Of the representatives of the Thai family, the most numerous are the Zhuangs, who live in the southern part of the country, in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Their main occupation is plow farming with the most common bed-terrace system. Livestock plays a supporting role. Zhuang settlements usually differ little from those of the Chinese living in the same areas. They are characterized by pile, bamboo and adobe buildings. The Zhuangs profess southern Buddhism, and the ideas of Taoism have a strong influence among them.

Representatives of the Austroasiatic family - the Miao and Yao people - live in Southern and Southwestern China. The main types of economic activity of these peoples are mountain farming (the Miao are engaged mainly in the cultivation of irrigated rice and wheat, the Yao - upland rice and corn), logging, and hunting. Among the Miao and Yao believers, polytheism was most widespread.

The Altai family is represented by Turkic, Mongolian and Tungus-Manchu groups. The Turkic group includes Uighurs, Kazakhs and Kyrgyz living in the north-west of China, with the bulk concentrated within the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Among the peoples of this group, there are settled farmers who conduct intensive farming using artificial irrigation, nomadic pastoralists, as well as a semi-sedentary population that combines cattle breeding with agriculture. Moreover, the Uyghurs are mainly engaged in agriculture, and the Kazakhs and Kyrgyz are engaged in cattle breeding. Most peoples of the Turkic group profess Islam. The most characteristic is the oasis type of settlement.

The Mongols originate from a union of nomadic Mongol tribes. They live in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and their settlements are also found in Northeast China, the provinces of Gansu, Qinghai, and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Mongols living in China speak five different dialects, one of which is close to Khalkha, which is the basis of the literary Mongolian language in the Mongolian People's Republic. The main occupation is nomadic cattle breeding. Some of the Mongols, who had closer contacts with the Chinese and other agricultural peoples, adopted farming skills from them. The predominant religion among the Mongols is Buddhism (Lamaism).

The peoples of the Tungus-Manchu group are settled in the territory of North-East China, mainly in remote mountain and taiga corners. Being the indigenous population of these areas, during Chinese colonization they were largely assimilated by the Chinese, “Octicized.” For many representatives of these peoples, the Chinese language and writing have become native. The main occupation of the Manchus living in river valleys is agriculture, and those living in cities and their environs are trade and crafts.

In Chinese o. Taiwan is home to representatives of the Austronesian family - the Gaoshan ("highlanders"), related to the Malays.

In China there are representatives of the Indo-European family - the Pamir Tajiks and Russians, as well as Koreans and many other small nationalities.

The main features of the settlement of non-Chinese nationalities are, firstly, huge areas (2/3 of the entire territory of the country), secondly, the cohabitation of representatives of different nationalities, and thirdly, as a rule, the location of their settlements on less convenient lands.

It should be especially noted that about 25 million Chinese emigrants - “huaqiu” - live in a number of countries in Southeast Asia, America and Oceania. Many retain Chinese citizenship and maintain close ties to their ancestral homeland.

POPULATION

China ranks first in the world in terms of population. By the end of 1997, it reached 1236.26 million people (not counting the Hong Kong SAR, Taiwan Province, Macao Region).

China is characterized by a relatively dense population. According to the All-China Sample Census of one hundredth of the population conducted in 1995, the average population density was 126 people per square meter. km. However, the population is distributed very unevenly. In the densely populated coastal areas of Eastern China, the population density exceeds 400 people per 1 sq. km, and in the sparsely populated mountainous regions of the west this figure is no more than 10 people per 1 sq. km.

POPULATION GROWTH AND FERTILITY PLANNING

In 1949, the population of mainland China was 541.67 million. Due to the established stability and development of production in life, and also due to the fact that the country lacked understanding of the importance of demographic control and relevant experience, population growth accelerated sharply. By 1969, the population reached 806.71 million people. Faced with a population explosion, the Chinese government began population planning in the 1970s to control population growth. Thanks to the measures taken, the birth rate began to gradually decline. If in 1967 it was 34.11 per thousand, then by the end of 1997 it dropped to 16.57 per thousand, natural population growth decreased from 26.08 to 10.06 per thousand. Nowadays, China has largely transitioned to a new model of population reproduction, characterized by low birth rates, low deaths and low population growth.

The main measures for birth planning are: encouraging late marriages and late births, implementing the motto “one married couple - one child” (in rural areas, where the implementation of this is fraught with difficulties, it is assumed that a second child may be born after a break of several years ). In areas of national minorities, specific methods and requirements in the field of planned childbirth are easier in comparison with areas inhabited by Han Chinese. Currently, birth planning has been elevated to the level of public policy in China. It is receiving support from an increasing number of citizens - especially in cities. There is little resistance to it.

56 NATIONALITIES

China is a single multinational state, home to 56 nationalities. According to the National Sample Census conducted in 1995, among one hundredth of the population, Han Chinese accounted for 1099.32 million people, or 91.02 percent of the total population, their number increased by 56.84 million people compared with the period of the 4th National Survey of China. population census (1990). The remaining 55 nationalities number 108.46 million people (an increase from 1990 to 17.26 million people), accounting for 8.98 percent of China's population. All nationalities, except Han, are usually called national minorities. These include: Zhuang, Hui, Uyghurs, and Miao. Manchus, Tibetans, Mongols, Tujia, Bui, Koreans, Dong. Yao, Bai, Khani, Kazakhs, Dai, Li, Fox, She, Lahu, Wa, Shui, Dongxiang, Nasi, Tu, Kirghiz, Qiang, Daurs, Mulao, Gelao, Sibo, Jingpo, Salars, Bulans, Maonan, Tajiks, Pumi, well, Achans, Evenks, Jinos, Uzbeks, Jing, Deans, Yugu, Baoan, Menba, Dulongs, Orochons, Tatars, Russians, Gaoshan, Hezhe and Loba. Of these, the largest ethnic group is the Zhuang - 15.556 million people, and the smallest is the Loba (2322 people).

The Han people are settled everywhere, but their main areas of residence are the basins of the Yellow, Yangtze and Pearl rivers (mainly along the middle and lower reaches of these rivers), as well as the Northeast Plain. National minorities live mainly in the outlying regions of the Northeast, Northern China, Northwest and Southwest.

The Han people have their own language and writing system. The Chinese language, i.e. the language of the Han Chinese, is the official language in the country and one of the languages accepted in international practice. The Hui and Manchu also speak Chinese, while the remaining 53 minorities use their native languages. 23 nationalities have their own written language.

NATIONAL DISTRICT AUTONOMY

Equality, cohesion and shared prosperity are the basic principles that the Chinese government adheres to in national policy. On the basis of these principles, national regional autonomy is implemented in areas densely populated by national minorities. It implies the creation, under the unified leadership of the Central Government, of local bodies endowed with self-government rights. Thanks to this, national minorities have the opportunity to be masters of their lives and independently solve the internal problems of their region. In China, in addition to the five autonomous regions - Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (established on May 1, 1947), Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (established on October 25, 1958), Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (established on October 1, 1955), Guangxi -Zhuang Autonomous Region (created on March 5, 1958) and Tibet Autonomous Region (created on September 9, 1965), there are 30 autonomous prefectures, 121 autonomous counties (somon). The organs of self-government in areas of national autonomy are the People's Congresses and the people's governments of autonomous regions, autonomous okrugs and autonomous counties (somons). In regions of national autonomy, a representative of the nationality exercising regional autonomy is elected to the post of chairman (or deputy chairman) of the Standing Committee of the local Assembly of People's Representatives; the same applies to the position of heads of government of autonomous regions, districts and counties.

Self-government bodies in areas of national regional autonomy, having competence on an equal basis with local government bodies of similar levels, enjoy broad rights to autonomy, namely, to determine the procedure and rules of self-government and develop special provisions on certain issues, taking into account the political, economic and cultural characteristics of these areas; independently use financial income belonging to these national autonomous regions; independently resolve issues of construction, education, science, culture and healthcare. In addition to all this, the state is trying to train national personnel and specialists in various fields through ordinary universities, national universities (institutes) and schools of national personnel. The central government provides financial and material assistance to the regions of national autonomy, thereby stimulating their economic and cultural development.

LIFESTYLE AND CUSTOMS

Over the course of a long history, each nationality of China has developed its own morals and customs, which are influenced by natural, social and economic conditions. If we talk about nutrition, in the south people prefer rice, in the northern regions - flour products. Uyghurs, Kazakhs and Uzbeks' favorite dishes are lamb shish kebab, pilaf and fried nan flatbread; Mongols love toasted rice, fried fat tails and tea with milk; Koreans hold Dagao pudding, cold noodles and sauerkraut in high esteem; Tibetans eat dzamba - barley flour dough fried in butter and drink tea with ghee; The Li, Jing and Dai peoples use the leaves of the areca palm as chewing gum. As for clothing, Mongols wear national robes and boots; Tibetans wear wrap-around long-skirted “chuba” caftans; Embroidered skullcaps are popular among the Uyghurs; Koreans wear shoes with a curved toe, like an old boat; Miao and Yi women, as well as Tibetan women, have an increased passion for jewelry made of gold and silver; Both women and men of this nationality, when leaving home, always put on a cloak-like cape made of sheepskin - “charva”. The traditional home of the Han Chinese is a house with a courtyard. Nomads of Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Qinghai and Gansu live in yurts. The Dai, Zhuang, Bui and many other minorities of Southern China build two-story houses on stilts, called "ganlan".

HOLIDAYS

Official holidays in China are New Year (celebrated throughout the country on January 1), Spring Festival (Lunar New Year, celebrated throughout the country for three days), International Women's Day (8 March), Arbor Day (12 March) , International Workers' Day (May 1), which is a national holiday, China Youth Day (May 4). International Children's Day (June 1), People's Liberation Army Day of China (August 1), Teacher's Day (September 10), National Day of the People's Republic of China (October 1), which is celebrated nationwide for two days. The most important and widespread traditional holidays in China include:

Spring Festival. Every year at the end of the winter season, on the eve of spring, the Chinese people, according to custom, solemnly and joyfully celebrate the first traditional holiday of the year - the Spring Festival (New Year according to the lunar calendar). The Spring Festival is accompanied by the posting of paired paper inscriptions on both sides of the entrance to the house, the walls of the rooms are decorated with New Year's paintings. On the night of the Spring Festival, which is called “chusi,” the whole family gathers together. A rich festive dinner is arranged, after which conversations and games are held on various topics. Many families stay up all night, this is called “shousui” - waiting for the New Year. The next morning, you are supposed to go around the houses of relatives and friends with mutual congratulations and wishes for all sorts of blessings. During the Spring Festival, mass performances are organized: lion dances, dragon dances, round dances of “land boats”, and a procession on stilts.

Yuanxiao Festival. It falls on the 15th day of the first month according to the lunar calendar, and is often also called the “Feast of Lanterns.” This day is the first full moon of the new year. On this day, people eat “yuan xiao” and admire the festive lanterns. Yuanxiao is made from glutinous rice flour. the filling is sweet, they are shaped like a ball and symbolize the happiness of a friendly family. The custom of admiring lanterns, which appeared in the 1st century, is still preserved in many parts of the country. In the evening of the Yuanxiao holiday, lantern fairs open in many cities, where the most colorful samples are exhibited - the works of skilled craftsmen. They amaze with their variety of shapes and subjects. In the villages, as is customary, fireworks displays, stilt parades, dragon dances, yangge round dances, entertainment on swings and other events are held.

Qingming Festival. It falls on one of the days from April 4th to April 6th. Since ancient times, people commemorated their ancestors on this day. Nowadays, on the Qingming holiday, they began to organize events in memory of the fallen heroes. On this day, their graves are put in order. The weather is already warm, nature is blooming, and many people go on country walks, fly paper kites, and admire the spring nature, so the Qingming holiday is also called “Tatsingjie” - a day of walking through the first greenery.

Duanwu Festival. It falls on the 5th day of the fifth month according to the lunar calendar. It is believed that its appearance is associated with the memory of the ancient Chinese patriotic poet Qu Yuan. He lived in the kingdom of Chu during the Warring States era (475 -221 BC). More than once he turned to the Chu king with proposals for reforms aimed against political degradation and corruption. But he, believing the slander of the dignitaries who deliberately slandered Qu Yuan, expelled him from the capital. In 278 BC. e. The troops of the Qin kingdom broke into the capital of the Chu kingdom. Qu Yuan, having learned about such a national disgrace, committed suicide on the 5th of the fifth month by throwing himself into the river. According to legend, after his death, people, overcome with deep sorrow, got into boats and searched for the poet’s body in the river for a long time. Later, every year on the day of the poet’s death, people in his memory began to organize boat races on the rivers, decorated in the form of dragons. At the same time, they throw bamboo rings filled with boiled rice into the river (as if for Qu Yuan). But one day, as the legend says, Qu Yuan met them on the shore and said: “All the rice you give me is eaten by a dragon. Wrap the rice in reed leaves and tie it with colored thread, because the dragon is most afraid of these two things.” After this, they began to make “zongzi” by wrapping rice in reed leaves. Today, zongzi has become a traditional dish eaten on this holiday.

Moon Festival. Celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month according to the lunar calendar. This day is considered mid-autumn and in ancient times it was called “Zhongqiu”. Since ancient times, every year in Zhongqiu, people prepared gingerbread cookies from flour and brought them as a gift to the Moon God. At the end of the ceremony, the whole family was treated to gingerbread, which symbolized well-being in the house. This custom has survived to this day. On this day the moon is especially bright. Under its light, the whole family gathers together, admires the moon and feasts on mooncakes. The bright light of the full moon evokes memories of loved ones, and lines from a poem by Li Bo, the great poet of the Tang Dynasty, come to mind:

Raising my head up,
I turn my gaze to the moon,
And having lowered it,
I remember my homeland.

In addition to all this, many national minorities have preserved the traditions of their specific holidays. Among the Dai it is the “Water Festival”, among the Mongols it is “Nadom”, the nationality celebrates the “Feast of the Torch”, the Yao people celebrate the “Danu” holiday, the Bayans organize a “March Bazaar”, the Zhuangs - song competitions, the Tibetans celebrate their own (according to their own calendar ) New Year and harvest festival “Vango”, etc.

RELIGION

China is a country where different religions coexist: Taoism, Buddhism, Islam, Catholicism and Protestantism. The number of believers exceeds 100 million. Different nationalities and people profess different religions. 10 nationalities - Hui, Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Tatars, Uzbeks, Tajiks, Dongxiangs, Salars and Bao'ans - profess Islam. The religion of the Tibetans, Mongols, Lobais, Menbais, Tuis and Yughurs is Lamaism (one of the branches of Buddhism). Daits, Bulans, Deans are adherents of Hinayana (orthodox branch of Buddhism). Among the Miao, Yao, and Yi peoples there are many members of the Catholic and Protestant communities. Among the Han Chinese there are adherents of different religions: Buddhism, Protestantism, Catholicism, Taoism.

Buddhism entered China in the 1st century. BC. After the 4th century its widespread distribution begins. it gradually becomes the most influential religion in the country. Lamaism originated as one of the branches of Buddhism, becoming widespread in Tibet and Inner Mongolia. The most famous Buddhist temples are Baimasy (Luoyang), Datsiensy (Xi'an), Lingyinsy (Hangzhou), Shaolinsy (Henan). The largest Lamaist monasteries are the Tibetan monasteries of Jokhang, Dashilumpo and Sakya, the monasteries of Taersa (Qinghai), Utasa (Inner Mongolia) and Yonghegong (Beijing).

Islam entered China around the middle of the 7th century. There are famous Muslim mosques in the country in Yangzhou, Xi'an, Beijing, Yinchuan and Kashgar. Catholicism and Protestantism penetrated into China much later, and their influence is weaker compared to Buddhism and Islam. Catholic and Protestant communities are concentrated mainly in Shanghai, Beijing and some other large cities. There are also a small number of adherents of these two religions among the peasants.

Taoism originated directly in China in the 2nd century. Famous Taoist temples are Baiyunguan (Beijing), Qingyangong (Chengdu), Taiqinggong (Shenyang). In China, citizens can profess any religion or be an atheist, and any normal religious activity is protected by the Constitution.

All major religions - Buddhism, Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism and Taoism - have their own national and local organizations and autonomously manage the affairs of their communities. Chinese religious organizations and their activities are outside the control of foreign clerical powers.