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China’s Government

中国 The Chinese character for China means “middle kingdom.” Why? Long ago, Chinese people believed China was the center of the world. Today, China has 22 provinces, plus five autonomous regions like Tibet, created for minority groups, four separate big cities (Shanghai, Beijing, Chongqing, and Tianjin), plus Hong Kong and Macau.

This is the Great Hall of the People in Beijing where the National People’s Congress meets.

The National People’s Congress elects China’s President (Xi Jinping in 2013), and the President of the Supreme People’s Court. The people of China do not elect their leaders. The laws and programs carried out in China are developed and approved by the Communist Party, and enforced locally by people appointed by the Party.

人民币

China’s money is called the renminbi, or RMB for short. A common unit of RMB is the yuan.

Did you know Taiwan was originally part of China? In 1949, Taiwan separated from China, keeping China’s name (the Republic of China, or ROC), while mainland China became the People’s Republic of China, or PRC. Like two arguing brothers, Taiwan and China disagree over whether or not Taiwan should still be a part of China. Perhaps one day they will find a way to coexist in harmony. Taiwan is bustling with growth, just like China.

China’s Favorite Folk Song

“Mo Li Hua” means “Jasmine Flowers”

Composed during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1735–1796), Mo Li Hua has been performed on many important occasions, including the opening of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Mò Lì Huā 茉 莉 花

The Legend of Pan Gu 盘古开天辟地的神话

How the Earth Came To Be

Before Earth existed, a giant egg floated in the vast universe. Inside was a jumble of yin and yang, the foundation of life, and a powerful giant, Pan Gu, who was waking up from a sleep of thousands of years.

“Where am I?” roared Pan Gu. “I will build a new world from this yin and yang. I will create women and men who will know sadness and joy, and eat food that is both bitter and sweet, so they may live a full life.” Out of the shell he made the sky, Earth, mountains, and valleys. His breath became the wind and clouds. As he passed away, his blood became the oceans and rivers, his eyes became the moon and the sun, and his hair turned into trees, flowers, birds, animals, insects, and of course, people.

“I love this world—the sweet melodies of the birds, the fragrant smells of the flowers and the harmonious ways of the people,” proclaimed Nu Wa, a beautiful goddess who came down to Earth.

One day two gods had a big fight, causing it to rain so hard the sky collapsed. Nu Wa pushed a huge stone into the hole where the flood waters poured in, adding colorful stones from the seas, rivers, and lakes. She wrapped the stones with all the vines, bamboo, and reeds she could find. At last, the rain and the floods stopped and the sun appeared again.

“I have defeated the quarreling gods and saved Earth’s rich resources, its people, and the creations of Pan Gu,” said Nu Wa. And she was glad that the yin and yang remained for all time.