For more information see the China profile.

China is geographically the largest of all Asian countries, and also has the largest population of any country in the world - with approximately one fifth of the world's people.

With more than 4,000 years of recorded history, China has been through many stages of political and cultural development. Today it is beginning to regain its place after nearly 200 years of decline. China is a multi-national country with a large number of ethnic and linguistic groups. The Han Chinese, with their 8 main languages and 600 dialelcts, form the majority of the people, but China officially recognizes 55 minority groups (many of which include smaller groups). Not only does China have a blend of ethnic groups, but it also has a mix of religious beliefs. While the elimination of all religious groups has always been the ultimate aim of the communist regime, the number of Evangelicals has increased significantly in the past 20 years.