History of China in Timeline
"China, officially known as the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a highly populous country located in East Asia, with over 1.4 billion inhabitants. It boasts the world's second-largest population and the third-largest land area, encompassing approximately 9.6 million square kilometers. China shares its borders with fourteen countries and is divided into 33 administrative divisions. The capital city is Beijing, while Shanghai stands as its financial hub and most populous city in terms of urban area."
1901: End of the Boxer Rebellion
The Boxer Rebellion, an anti-foreign uprising, was suppressed in 1901 by a multinational force, further weakening the Qing dynasty.
1905: Release of First Chinese Film
The first Chinese film, "Dingjun Mountain," was released in 1905, marking an early milestone in Chinese cinema.
1911: Xinhai Revolution
The Xinhai Revolution began in 1911, ultimately leading to the collapse of the Qing dynasty and the establishment of the Republic of China.
1911: The Xinhai Revolution
The Xinhai Revolution took place in 1911, leading to the overthrow of the Qing dynasty and the establishment of the Republic of China.
January 1912: Establishment of the Republic of China
The Republic of China was formally established on January 1, 1912, with Sun Yat-sen of the Kuomintang as its provisional president.
March 1912: Yuan Shikai Becomes President
In March 1912, Yuan Shikai, a prominent military figure from the late Qing dynasty, assumed the presidency of the newly established Republic of China.
1912: End of the Qing Dynasty
The Qing dynasty, the last imperial dynasty of China, officially ended in 1912 after the Xinhai Revolution led to the abdication of Puyi, the last Emperor.
1912: Abdication of Puyi
Puyi, the last emperor of the Qing dynasty, formally abdicated in 1912, marking the end of over two millennia of imperial rule in China.
1915: Yuan Shikai's Attempt to Restore Monarchy
Yuan Shikai, in a controversial move, attempted to re-establish himself as emperor of China in 1915, facing widespread opposition that forced him to abandon the endeavor.
1916: Death of Yuan Shikai
Following his failed attempt to restore the monarchy, Yuan Shikai died in 1916, leaving a power vacuum that contributed to the fragmentation of China during the Warlord Era.
1927: Beginning of the Chinese Civil War
The Chinese Civil War began in 1927, marked by the Kuomintang's violent purge of communists from their ranks, shattering the fragile alliance between the two parties.
1927: Beginning of the Chinese Civil War
The Chinese Civil War began in 1927 when the Kuomintang (KMT), led by Chiang Kai-shek, turned against their former allies, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and purged them from their ranks.
November 1931: Establishment of the Jiangxi Soviet
The Chinese Soviet Republic, also known as the Jiangxi Soviet, was established by the CCP in November 1931 in the Jiangxi province, serving as a base of operations during the early years of the Chinese Civil War.
1931: Japanese Invasion of Manchuria
In 1931, Japan invaded and occupied Manchuria, marking a pivotal moment in the lead-up to World War II.
1932: China's First Olympic Games
China first participated in the Olympic Games in 1932.
1934: Beginning of the Long March
The CCP's forces in the Jiangxi Soviet, facing overwhelming pressure from the KMT, embarked on the Long March in 1934, a strategic retreat that would eventually lead them to Yan'an in Shaanxi province.
1937: Second Sino-Japanese War
Japan's invasion expanded to other parts of China in 1937, igniting the Second Sino-Japanese War, a major theater of World War II.
1937: Second Sino-Japanese War
The Empire of Japan invaded China in 1937, starting the Second Sino-Japanese War, a brutal conflict that would last for eight years.
1945: End of World War II and Handover of Taiwan
Following Japan's surrender in 1945, Taiwan, including Penghu, was placed under Chinese control, although the legitimacy of this transfer remains a subject of debate.
1947: Establishment of Constitutional Rule
Despite ongoing unrest, China established constitutional rule in 1947. However, the turbulent political climate prevented the full implementation of many provisions within the ROC constitution.
October 1949: Founding of the People's Republic of China
On October 1, 1949, Mao Zedong, Chairman of the CCP, proclaimed the establishment of the People's Republic of China in Beijing's Tiananmen Square.
1949: Communist Victory in Chinese Civil War
The Chinese Communist Party emerged victorious in 1949, effectively ending the Chinese Civil War and leading to the establishment of the People's Republic of China.
1949: Initial Literacy Rate
In 1949, when the People's Republic of China was founded, the literacy rate was only 20%.
1949: Communists Prioritize Science and Technology
Following the Communist Party's rise to power in 1949, China adopted a Soviet-inspired model, integrating scientific research into central planning, aiming to advance its technological capabilities.
1949: Establishment of the People's Republic of China
After years of civil war, the Chinese Communist Party, led by Mao Zedong, emerged victorious in 1949 and proclaimed the People's Republic of China, forcing the Nationalist government to flee to Taiwan.
1949: Per Capita Income at PRC Founding
When the People's Republic of China (PRC) was founded in 1949, China's per capita income was only one-fifth of the global average.
1950: Population Growth and Start of the Land Reform Movement
Between 1950 and 1974, China's population surged from 550 million to 900 million. The CCP launched the Land Reform Movement which, while consolidating its support base, led to the deaths of an estimated 1 to 2 million landlords.
1950: PRC's Capture of Hainan and Annexation of Tibet
The PRC's territorial control expanded in 1950 with the capture of Hainan from the ROC and the annexation of Tibet.
1952: People's Republic of China in Olympics
The People's Republic of China began participating in the Olympic Games in 1952.
1953: Historical Gender Imbalance in China
In 1953, males accounted for 51.8% of China's population, indicating a historical gender imbalance that has since improved slightly.
1958: China Embarks on its Space Exploration Journey
China's space program was initiated in 1958, marked by technological exchanges with the Soviet Union, laying the foundation for its future ambitions in space exploration.
1958: Discovery of Erlitou Culture Sites
Archaeological work in 1958 unearthed sites belonging to the Erlitou culture, dating back to the early Bronze Age, potentially providing evidence for the historical existence of the Xia dynasty.
1959: Start of the Great Leap Forward
The Great Leap Forward, an ambitious industrialization campaign launched in 1959, aimed to rapidly transform China's economy.
1961: End of the Great Leap Forward
The Great Leap Forward, plagued by setbacks and hardship, concluded in 1961, having resulted in a devastating famine that caused an estimated 15 to 55 million deaths.
1961: Last Population Decline Before 2022
China's population decline in 2022 marked the first time the country's population had decreased since 1961.
1964: China's First Atomic Bomb Test
Marking a pivotal moment in its military development, China successfully detonated its first atomic bomb in 1964.
1966: Launch of the Cultural Revolution
Initiated by Mao Zedong and his allies, the Cultural Revolution began in 1966, ushering in a decade of political and social upheaval.
1970: China Launches its First Satellite
In 1970, China achieved a significant milestone by successfully launching its first satellite, Dong Fang Hong I, making it the fifth nation globally to independently reach this achievement.
October 1971: PRC Replaces ROC in the United Nations
In a significant diplomatic shift, the PRC replaced the ROC in the United Nations in October 1971, assuming its position as a permanent member of the Security Council.
1971: People's Republic of China Replaces Republic of China at the UN
In 1971, the United Nations voted to transfer the seat representing China from the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the People's Republic of China.
1971: PRC's UN Representation
In 1971, the People's Republic of China replaced the Republic of China as the sole representative of China at the United Nations and became one of the five permanent members of the Security Council. This marked a significant shift in international recognition.
1972: Shanghai Communiqué
The Shanghai Communiqué, signed in 1972, marked a significant thaw in relations between the People's Republic of China and the United States.
1974: End of Population Boom
By 1974, China's population reached 900 million, marking the end of a period of significant population growth.
1976: Science and Technology: Pillars of Modernization
After Mao Zedong's death in 1976, China shifted its focus towards modernization, with science and technology identified as crucial pillars. This period marked a gradual reform of the Soviet-style academic system, paving the way for greater innovation.
1976: Death of Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong's death in 1976 marked a turning point, bringing an end to the Cultural Revolution and paving the way for new leadership and policy directions.
1978: Start of Poverty Reduction Efforts
The year 1978 marked the start of significant poverty reduction efforts in China.
1978: Deng Xiaoping's Rise to Power and Economic Reforms
Deng Xiaoping assumed power in 1978, initiating significant political and economic reforms that would profoundly impact China's trajectory.
1978: Beginning of Economic Growth Period
The year 1978 marked the beginning of a significant period of economic growth in China, leading to a substantial increase in the average standard of living.
1978: Economic Reforms and Diversification
Since economic reforms began in 1978, China's economy has become highly diversified, making it a significant player in international trade.
1978: Deng Xiaoping's Economic Reforms
After Deng Xiaoping initiated economic reforms in 1978, public health in China improved due to better nutrition, although some free public health services in rural areas were reduced.
1978: Economic Reforms
China initiated significant economic reforms in 1978 under Deng Xiaoping's leadership, shifting from a socialist planned economy toward a more market-oriented system.
1978: Introduction of Economic Reforms
China introduced economic reforms in 1978, leading to consistent economic growth often exceeding 6%.
1979: Environmental Protection Law
In 1979, China implemented the Environmental Protection Law as a response to environmental challenges. However, the enforcement of this law has been weak, as economic development often takes precedence. This has led to significant environmental issues, including air and water pollution.
1979: China Advocates for One-Child Policy
In 1979, China began advocating for a stricter limit of one child per family due to concerns about population growth.
1979: Literacy Rate Increase
By 1979, China's literacy rate saw a substantial improvement, reaching 65.5%.
1980: China's Urbanization Begins to Accelerate
In 1980, only 20% of China's population lived in urban areas. This marked the beginning of a period of rapid urbanization in the country.
December 1982: Adoption of China's Current Constitution
On December 4, 1982, China adopted its current constitution, shaping the country's political and legal framework.
1989: Tiananmen Square Protests and Leadership Transition
The year 1989 witnessed widespread protests across China, notably in Tiananmen Square. Zhao Ziyang's support for the protests led to his removal, with Jiang Zemin assuming leadership.
1989: Tiananmen Square Protests and Massacre
The Tiananmen Square protests, a student-led pro-democracy movement, took place in 1989 and were met with a brutal crackdown by the Chinese government.
1990: Rates of Stunting in China
Rates of stunting, an indicator of malnutrition, decreased significantly in China, from 33.1% in 1990 to 9.9% in 2010.
1990: Start of Tracking Poverty Reduction
The year 1990 serves as the baseline for tracking the decrease in the proportion of the Chinese population living below certain poverty lines.
1990: Air Travel Begins Rapid Expansion in China
Air travel began to expand rapidly in China in the last decades, with the number of passengers increasing from 16.6 million in 1990 to 551.2 million in 2017.
1997: Hong Kong's Return to China
Under the "One Country, Two Systems" framework, Hong Kong returned to Chinese sovereignty in 1997, ending British colonial rule.
1999: Macau's Return to China
Following a similar model to Hong Kong, Macau was returned to China from Portuguese administration in 1999, becoming a special administrative region.
2000: Rapid Transit Systems Growth Accelerates in China
Since 2000, the growth of rapid transit systems in Chinese cities has accelerated.
2001: China Joins the World Trade Organization
China's integration into the global economy deepened in 2001 when it joined the World Trade Organization.
2001: China Joins the World Trade Organization
China became a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001, marking a significant step in its integration into the global economy and paving the way for increased trade liberalization.
2002: Hu Jintao Becomes General Secretary
Hu Jintao succeeded Jiang Zemin as general secretary of the CCP in 2002, marking a transition of leadership.
2003: Baseline for Government Satisfaction
The year 2003 served as the baseline for measuring the increase in citizen satisfaction with the Chinese government in the Harvard University survey.
2003: SARS Outbreak in China
China experienced a serious disease outbreak in 2003 with the SARS virus, which was largely contained but highlighted the risks associated with densely populated cities.
2003: China Sends its First Astronaut to Space
China etched its name in space history in 2003 by becoming the third country to independently send a human into space. Yang Liwei's mission aboard Shenzhou 5 marked a significant leap for China's space program.
2003: Increase in Education Investment
Starting around 2003, China significantly increased its annual education investment, reaching over US$817 billion by 2020.
2005: Establishment of Nature Reserves
By 2005, China had established over 2,349 nature reserves, encompassing 15 percent of its land area, as part of its efforts to protect endangered wildlife and ecosystems.
December 2006: Extinction of the Baiji
The Baiji, a freshwater dolphin native to the Yangtze River, was declared extinct on December 12, 2006, highlighting the impact of human activities on China's biodiversity.
2006: China's Railways Handle a Quarter of Global Rail Traffic
In 2006, China's railways handled a quarter of the world's rail traffic volume on only 6 percent of the world's tracks.
2007: China Imposes Restrictions on Foreign Adoptions
Increased restrictions by the Chinese Government slowed foreign adoptions of mainly female babies significantly in 2007.
2007: Real Wage Growth
Between 1978 and 2007, real (inflation-adjusted) wages in China saw a seven-fold increase.
June 2008: Laogai Research Foundation Report
In June 2008, the Laogai Research Foundation estimated the existence of approximately 1,422 labor reform facilities (laogai) in China, highlighting concerns about forced labor practices.
2008: Beijing Summer Olympics
China hosted the Summer Olympics in Beijing in 2008, where its athletes won a leading 48 gold medals.
2008: Growth of Private Businesses
By 2008, China had recorded around 30 million private businesses, reflecting the expansion of private enterprise within its economy.
2009: Healthcare Provision Initiative
In 2009, the Chinese government launched a three-year healthcare initiative worth US$124 billion to expand health insurance coverage.
2010: Air Pollution and Premature Deaths
In 2010, air pollution contributed to 1.2 million premature deaths in China, highlighting the health challenges posed by environmental issues.
2010: Average Population Growth Rate Calculated
Between 2010 and 2020, China's average population growth rate was calculated to be 0.53%.
2010: China Becomes Largest Manufacturing Nation
China surpassed the United States as the world's largest manufacturing nation in 2010, after the U.S. held the position for a century.
2010: China's Export Complexity at 24th Position
In 2010, China's export complexity was ranked 24th by Harvard University's Economic Complexity Index, reflecting the country's focus on manufacturing and exports at that time.
2010: Education Spending Inequality
In 2010, there was significant inequality in education spending across China, with Beijing spending significantly more per secondary student than poorer provinces like Guizhou.
2010: Submission of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
China, a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity, submitted its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan to the convention in 2010, outlining its commitment to biodiversity conservation.
2011: Expansion of Health Insurance Coverage
By 2011, China achieved 95% basic health insurance coverage as a result of the healthcare provision initiative.
2011: China Launches its First Space Station Module
In 2011, China took a significant step towards establishing a permanent presence in space with the launch of Tiangong-1, its inaugural space station testbed, demonstrating its ambitions for long-duration space missions.
2011: Shenzhen Summer Universiade
Shenzhen hosted the Summer Universiade in 2011.
2011: Purchasing Power Parity Reference Year
The year 2011 is used as the reference year for the Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) when assessing poverty levels.
November 2012: Xi Jinping Becomes General Secretary
On November 15, 2012, Xi Jinping took office as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China. This position grants him ultimate authority over the party and state, marking the beginning of his leadership era.
2012: China's Rise in High-Tech Manufacturing
According to the US National Science Foundation, China became the second-largest high-tech manufacturing country in 2012.
2012: Prevalence of Cycling in China
By 2012, China had witnessed a surge in bicycle usage, with an estimated 470 million bicycles in the country.
2012: BeiDou Offers Commercial Navigation Services
China's own satellite navigation system, BeiDou, began offering commercial navigation services across Asia in 2012.
2012: PLA Spending from 2012
From 2012 to 2021, China's military spending averaged US$215 billion per year, maintaining a significant global military presence second only to the United States.
2012: Mo Yan Wins Nobel Prize in Literature
In 2012, Chinese author Mo Yan, known for his work in the xungen literature genre, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.
2012: Success at the Paralympics
The 2012 Summer Paralympics saw China win the most medals overall, a remarkable total of 231, including 95 gold medals.
2012: Xi Jinping Assumes Leadership
Xi Jinping's rise to paramount leader at the 18th CCP National Congress in 2012 ushered in a new era in Chinese politics.
December 2013: China Loosens One-Child Policy Restrictions
In December 2013, China enacted a major loosening of the one-child policy, allowing families to have two children if one parent is an only child.
2013: China's Rover Explores the Lunar Surface
China achieved a significant milestone in lunar exploration in 2013 when its robotic rover, Yutu, successfully touched down on the Moon's surface as part of the Chang'e 3 mission.
2013: Launch of the Belt and Road Initiative
In 2013, China launched the Belt and Road Initiative, a major global infrastructure development plan. With annual funding between $50–100 billion, it aims to enhance trade and policy relations worldwide.
2013: China's Position in Global Innovation Index
In 2013, China held the 35th position in the Global Innovation Index, showcasing its efforts to enhance its innovation ecosystem.
2013: China: The World's Leading Trading Nation
In 2013, China cemented its position as the world's largest trading nation based on the total value of imports and exports, signifying its dominance in the global marketplace. It also became the world's biggest commodity importer, wielding significant influence in the maritime dry-bulk market, accounting for approximately 45% of the market share.
2013: Hosting the East Asian Games
China hosted the East Asian Games in Tianjin in 2013.
2013: Abolition of Re-education Through Labor
China officially abolished the "re-education through labor" (laojiao) system in 2013, although the extent to which its practices ceased remains unclear.
2014: Nanjing Summer Youth Olympics
Nanjing hosted the Summer Youth Olympics in 2014, marking the first time a country hosted both the regular and Youth Olympics.
2015: Further Restrictions on Foreign Adoptions in China
China imposed further restrictions on foreign adoptions in 2015, continuing the trend of limiting international adoptions.
2015: ""1.5"" Child Policy Ends
From the mid-1980s to 2015, China effectively implemented a "1.5"-child policy, allowing some exemptions to the one-child rule.
2015: Rural Population Lacks Access to Improved Sanitation
According to the Joint Monitoring Program for Water Supply and Sanitation, about 36% of the rural population in China still did not have access to improved sanitation in 2015.
2015: Emergence of China's Middle Class
China's middle class experienced substantial growth, becoming the world's largest in 2015, reflecting the country's economic progress and rising living standards. This growth continued, reaching 500 million by 2024.
2016: Global Slavery Index Estimate
The Global Slavery Index estimated that over 3.8 million people in China experienced conditions of "modern slavery" in 2016, including forced labor and human trafficking.
2016: Two-Child Policy Replaces One-Child Policy
In 2016, China replaced the one-child policy with a two-child policy.
2016: China Becomes Top Publisher of Scientific Papers
China's commitment to scientific research was evident in 2016 when its academic publishing sector emerged as the world's largest publisher of scientific papers, highlighting its growing contribution to global knowledge creation.
2016: China Becomes Largest Movie Screen Country
China became the country with the largest number of movie screens globally in 2016.
2016: Dominance in Global Trade
By 2016, China's influence in global trade was undeniable as it became the largest trading partner for 124 countries, highlighting its role as a major player in international commerce.
2017: Release of "Wolf Warrior 2"
"Wolf Warrior 2," released in 2017, achieved significant commercial success and became one of the highest-grossing films in China.
2017: Air Travel Sees Significant Growth in China
The number of air passengers in China increased to 551.2 million in 2017, highlighting the significant growth of air travel in the country.
2017: Religious Restrictions
In 2017, the Pew Research Center identified China as having some of the world's most stringent government restrictions on religion.
2017: Crackdown in Xinjiang
In 2017, the Chinese government initiated a severe crackdown in Xinjiang, detaining an estimated one million Uyghurs and other minorities in internment camps. The crackdown aimed to suppress their cultural and religious practices.
2017: China's Production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients
In 2017, China produced approximately 40% of the world's active pharmaceutical ingredients, highlighting its growing role in the global pharmaceutical industry.
2018: Success in Poverty Reduction
Between 1978 and 2018, China achieved remarkable progress in poverty reduction, lifting 800 million people out of extreme poverty.
2018: State-Owned Airlines Dominate China's Aviation Market
In 2018, the top three airlines in China, which collectively made up 71% of the market, were all state-owned.
2018: China's Rapid Adoption of 4G and 5G Technology
China demonstrated its rapid adoption of mobile technology with over 1 billion 4G users by 2018, accounting for 40% of the global total. Simultaneously, China initiated large-scale commercial 5G trials, signifying its commitment to being at the forefront of technological advancements. By December 2023, China had over 810 million 5G users and 3.38 million base stations installed, highlighting its rapid progress in 5G deployment.
2018: BeiDou Offers Global Navigation Services
By the end of 2018, BeiDou was offering global navigation services, making it the third completed global navigation satellite system after GPS and GLONASS.
2018: China's Ranking in Global Tourism
China ranked as the fourth-most-visited country globally in 2018.
2018: China Surpasses US in Patent Applications
China surpassed the United States in the number of patent applications filed in 2018, reflecting its growing emphasis on innovation and intellectual property protection.
2018: Standard of Living Increase
From 1978 to 2018, China experienced a remarkable twenty-six-fold increase in the average standard of living.
December 2019: Outbreak of the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic was first identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, leading to significant public health measures.
2019: China Maintains Lead in Patent Applications
China continued to outpace the U.S. in patent applications in 2019, demonstrating its commitment to technological advancement and innovation.
2019: International Visitors to China
China welcomed 65.7 million international visitors in 2019.
2019: China Achieves Historic Landing on Moon's Far Side
In a groundbreaking feat, China became the first nation to land a probe, Chang'e 4, on the far side of the Moon in 2019, signifying a new era in lunar exploration.
2019: China's High-Speed Rail Becomes the World's Busiest
With an annual ridership of over 2.3 billion passengers in 2019, China's high-speed rail network became the world's busiest.
2019: China Leads in High-Net-Worth Individuals
A significant financial milestone was reached in 2019 when China surpassed the U.S. to become home to the highest number of individuals with a net personal wealth exceeding $110,000, according to the Credit Suisse global wealth report, indicating the country's growing affluence.
April 2020: Belt and Road Initiative Expansion
By April 2020, China's Belt and Road Initiative had expanded to include 138 countries and 30 international organizations. The initiative focuses on creating efficient transport routes globally, although some loans provided have been criticized as unsustainable.
July 2020: Harvard University Survey on Government Satisfaction
A Harvard University survey released in July 2020 revealed an increase in Chinese citizen satisfaction with their government since 2003.
October 2020: Market Capitalization of Chinese Stock Exchanges
As of October 2020, the combined market capitalization of China's three largest stock exchanges (Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Shenzhen) surpassed $15.9 trillion.
2020: Religious Restrictions
The Pew Research Center again ranked China as having some of the world's most severe restrictions on religion in 2020.
2020: China Becomes Largest Cinema Market
In 2020, China surpassed other countries to become the world's largest cinema market.
2020: Census Provides Data on China's Urban Populations
The 2020 census provided estimates of the urban populations within administrative city limits in China, offering insights into the country's urban landscape.
2020: 2020 Chinese Census
The 2020 Chinese census revealed that the Han Chinese population increased, while ethnic minorities made up less than 10% of the population. The census also recorded a total of 845,697 foreign nationals living in mainland China.
2020: Chinese Census Records Population and Demographics
The 2020 Chinese census recorded the population as approximately 1,411,778,724, with a specific age distribution. Between 2010 and 2020, the average population growth rate was 0.53%.
2020: National Security Law in Hong Kong
In 2020, the Chinese government passed a national security law in Hong Kong, leading to a crackdown on dissent and protests in the region.
2020: China's Emission Goals Announcement
In 2020, the Chinese government announced its targets to peak emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. This is part of China's commitment to the Paris Agreement, and it could significantly reduce global temperature rise by approximately 0.2–0.3 degrees.
2020: Census Reveals Gender Imbalance in China
The 2020 census found that males accounted for 51.2% of China's total population, highlighting a gender imbalance.
2020: China's Export Complexity Improves
Harvard University's Economic Complexity Index ranked China's export complexity 17th globally in 2020, a significant improvement from its 24th position in 2010, indicating a shift towards more sophisticated and value-added products.
2020: China's Literacy Rate
By 2020, China's literacy rate reached 97% of the population over 15 years old, marking a significant increase from previous decades.
2020: China Boasts Five Longest Metro Systems Globally
As of 2020, China boasted the five longest metro systems in the world, with the networks in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Shenzhen being the largest.
2020: China Successfully Returns Lunar Samples to Earth
China achieved a significant milestone in space exploration in 2020 when its Chang'e 5 mission successfully returned lunar samples to Earth, making it the third country to accomplish this feat independently.
January 2021: Rise of Female Billionaires in China
By January 2021, China witnessed a remarkable surge in the number of female billionaires, reaching 85, representing two-thirds of the global total, highlighting the growing economic influence of women in the country.
May 2021: China Announces Three-Child Policy
On May 31, 2021, China announced a three-child policy due to population aging.
July 2021: China Removes Family Size Limits and Penalties
In July 2021, China removed all family size limits and penalties for exceeding them.
2021: China's Global Wealth Share
China accounted for 17.9% of the world's total wealth in 2021, ranking second globally after the United States.
2021: Global Share of Meadows, Pastures, and Cropland
In 2021, China accounted for 12 percent of the world's permanent meadows and pastures, and 8 percent of global cropland, highlighting its significant agricultural footprint.
2021: China Dominates Global Innovation Indicators
In 2021, China achieved a leading position in several innovation indicators, securing the top spot globally in patents, utility models, trademarks, industrial designs, and creative goods exports, demonstrating its prowess in various technological domains.
2021: China Lands Spacecraft and Deploys Rover on Mars
In 2021, China achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the third country to successfully land a spacecraft on Mars and the second to deploy a rover, Zhurong, on the Red Planet, demonstrating its growing capabilities in interplanetary exploration.
2021: China Dominates E-commerce
In 2021, China dominated the global e-commerce market, holding over 37% of the market share.
2021: China Ranks Second in Global Remittances
In 2021, China solidified its position as the world's second-largest recipient of remittances, with foreign exchange remittances reaching US$53 billion, highlighting the economic ties and contributions of its diaspora.
2021: Gini Coefficient Measurement
In 2021, the World Bank reported China's Gini coefficient, a measure of income inequality, as 0.357.
2021: Infant Mortality Rate in China
In 2021, the infant mortality rate in China stood at 5 per thousand, a substantial improvement from previous decades.
2021: Release of Popular Chinese Films
The year 2021 saw the release of two of China's highest-grossing films: "The Battle at Lake Changjin" and "Hi, Mom," indicating a strong year for Chinese cinema.
2021: China's Megacities Continue to Grow
As of 2021, China had 17 megacities, cities with a population of over 10 million, demonstrating the continued growth of urban centers.
November 2022: China Completes Tiangong Space Station and Conducts Crew Handover
China marked a major milestone in space exploration by completing its modular space station, the Tiangong, in low Earth orbit on November 3, 2022. Furthermore, on November 29, 2022, China accomplished its first in-orbit crew handover aboard the Tiangong, demonstrating its capabilities for long-duration crewed missions.
December 2022: Abandonment of the Zero-COVID Policy
Following protests, China abandoned its strict Zero-COVID policy in December 2022, after initially aiming for complete eradication of the virus.
2022: China Experiences First Population Decline Since 1961
In 2022, China experienced its first population decline since 1961, with the National Bureau of Statistics estimating a fall of 850,000 from 2021.
2022: China Attracts Substantial Foreign Direct Investment
China attracted a significant amount of inward foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2022, totaling $180 billion, though much of it was speculated to originate from Hong Kong, indicating continued global interest in the Chinese economy.
2022: Anti-Corruption Crackdown
By 2022, Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign, launched shortly after he came to power, had investigated and prosecuted over two million officials.
2022: Investment in Renewable Energy
In 2022, China solidified its position as the world's leading investor in renewable energy, investing $546 billion. Despite this, a significant portion of its electricity still comes from coal, with renewable sources contributing 31% of the total energy.
2022: China Takes the Lead in Scientific Publishing
In 2022, China solidified its dominance in scientific publishing by surpassing the US in the Nature Index, a metric assessing the proportion of articles published in prestigious scientific journals, signifying its rising influence in the global scientific community.
2022: Benchmark for GHG Emission Stabilization
China aims to stabilize its greenhouse gas emissions at 2022 levels by 2030.
2022: World Values Survey on Government Confidence
The 2022 World Values Survey showed that 91% of Chinese respondents expressed significant confidence in their government.
2022: China Leads in Electric Vehicle Production and Consumption
By 2022, China emerged as the world leader in electric vehicle consumption and production, manufacturing and purchasing half of all plug-in electric cars globally.
2022: China's Global Economic Share
By 2022, China constituted roughly 18% of the global economy based on nominal GDP.
2022: China as a Pharmaceutical Producer and Exporter
By 2022, China became a leading producer and exporter of pharmaceuticals, contributing to around 40% of active pharmaceutical ingredients globally in 2017.
2022: Beijing Winter Olympics
Beijing, along with Zhangjiakou, hosted the Winter Olympics in 2022, making Beijing the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics.
2022: China Achieves World's Longest Highway System
In 2022, China's highways reached a total length of 177,000 km (110,000 mi), making it the longest highway system in the world.
February 2023: China: World's Largest Telecom Market
As of February 2023, China solidified its position as the world's largest telecom market, boasting over 1.7 billion active cell phone subscribers, highlighting the country's widespread adoption of mobile technology.
May 2023: China Announces Ambitious Plans for Human Lunar Landing
In May 2023, China unveiled its ambitious plan to land humans on the Moon by 2030, signifying its commitment to becoming a leading force in space exploration.
December 2023: China Leads in Internet and Broadband Users
By December 2023, China had become a global leader in internet and broadband penetration, with over 1.09 billion internet users, representing approximately 77.5% of its population, demonstrating the widespread accessibility of online services.
December 2023: China's High-Speed Rail Network Expands
By the end of 2023, high-speed rail in China had reached 45,000 kilometers (27,962 miles) of dedicated lines, making it the longest HSR network in the world.
2023: Democracy Index Ranking
In 2023, China was ranked 148th out of 167 countries in the Economist Intelligence Unit's Democracy Index. The country is often described as an authoritarian state, despite its official claims of being a democracy with consultative mechanisms.
2023: Renminbi Gains Traction as a Global Currency
The Chinese renminbi gained recognition as the world's fourth-most traded currency in 2023 and became a component of the IMF's special drawing rights, reflecting China's efforts to internationalize its currency, despite facing limitations due to capital controls.
2023: Publication of World Food and Agriculture Report
In 2023, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) published its annual statistical yearbook, "World Food and Agriculture – Statistical Yearbook 2023".
2023: Studies on Religious Affiliation in China
In 2023, studies showed that around 70% of the Chinese population practices Chinese folk religion, with significant overlaps with Buddhism, Taoism, and other folk religions. The remaining population included atheists, Christians, and Muslims, as well as ethnic minorities with their own indigenous religions.
2023: China's Fertility Rate Ranks Among Lowest Globally
In 2023, China's total fertility rate was reported to be 1.09, ranking among the lowest in the world.
2023: China's Military Budget
In 2023, China's official military budget was US$224 billion, making it the second-largest in the world. SIPRI estimates the real expenditure to be US$296 billion, reflecting China's substantial investment in military capabilities.
2023: China's Energy Mix
In 2023, China's energy production was heavily reliant on coal, which accounted for 60.5% of electricity. Renewables, including hydroelectric, wind, solar, and bioenergy, made up 31% of the energy output, showing a gradual shift towards cleaner energy sources.
2023: Water Quality Assessment
In 2023, China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment reported that only 89.4% of the national surface water was deemed suitable for human consumption. This highlights ongoing water pollution issues in the country.
2023: Education Statistics in China
In 2023, over 90% of Chinese students continued to senior secondary school, with 60% of secondary graduates enrolling in higher education. China also had over 10 million vocational college graduates.
2023: China's Education System Statistics
In 2023, China had the world's largest education system with over 291 million students and nearly 19 million teachers in almost half a million schools.
2023: China's Outward Foreign Direct Investment Remains Strong
China continued to invest significantly abroad in 2023, with total outward FDI reaching $147.9 billion, demonstrating its growing economic influence and investment activities in the global market.
2023: China Becomes World's Largest Car Exporter
China became the world's largest exporter of cars by number in 2023. Despite the increasing prevalence of automobiles, bicycles remain a common mode of transport in urban areas.
2023: China's Urban Population Reaches Over 66%
By 2023, the percentage of China's population living in urban areas increased to over 66%, highlighting the country's significant urbanization.
2023: China's Growing Astronaut Corps
By 2023, China's astronaut corps had grown to encompass eighteen individuals, including two women, who had journeyed into space, demonstrating the country's continued investment in human spaceflight.
2023: Highest-Grossing Films in China
As of 2023, the top three highest-grossing films in China were "The Battle at Lake Changjin" (2021), "Wolf Warrior 2" (2017), and "Hi, Mom" (2021).
2023: Life Expectancy in China
As of 2023, life expectancy in China surpassed 78 years, indicating significant improvements in health outcomes.
2023: China's Higher Education System
As of 2023, China boasted the world's largest higher education system, with over 3,074 universities and over 47.6 million students enrolled. China also had the highest number of top-ranking universities globally.
2023: China Increases Investment in Research and Development
In 2023, China allocated around 2.6% of its GDP, equivalent to $458.5 billion, to research and development (R&D), signifying its commitment to becoming a global leader in scientific and technological advancements.
March 2024: China Boasts High Numbers of Billionaires and Millionaires
In March 2024, China solidified its position as a financial powerhouse with the second-highest number of billionaires and millionaires globally, trailing only the United States. The country was home to an impressive 473 billionaires and 6.2 million millionaires.
March 2024: China Maintains World's Largest Foreign Exchange Reserves
China's foreign exchange reserves reached an unprecedented US$3.246 trillion by March 2024, reaffirming its position as the holder of the world's largest reserves, demonstrating its financial strength on the global stage.
May 2024: China Launches Chang'e 6 Lunar Sample Return Mission
On May 3, 2024, China launched its Chang'e 6 mission, aiming to collect and return lunar samples from the Apollo Basin on the far side of the Moon. This mission marked China's second attempt at lunar sample return, following the success of Chang'e 5 four years prior.
June 2024: Chang'e 6 Successfully Lands on the Moon and Returns Samples to Earth
The Chang'e 6 mission achieved several milestones in June 2024. The lander-ascender-rover combination successfully touched down on the Moon's surface on June 1st. After collecting samples, the ascender lifted off on June 3rd, carrying the precious cargo. Following a robotic rendezvous and docking maneuver in lunar orbit, the sample container was transferred to the returner, which ultimately landed safely in Inner Mongolia in June 2024, marking a successful completion of China's far side extraterrestrial sample return mission.
2024: China Climbs Global Innovation Index
China's efforts in innovation were recognized in the 2024 Global Innovation Index, where it climbed to 11th place, a substantial improvement from its 35th position in 2013, reflecting its remarkable progress in research and development.
2024: China's Position in Global Financial Markets
As of at least 2024, China holds the world's second-largest equity and futures markets, and the third-largest bond market.
2024: China's Airport Infrastructure Expands
China had approximately 259 airports in 2024, reflecting the country's ongoing investment in aviation infrastructure.
2024: PLA Structure and Modernization
By 2024, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China comprised four main services and four independent arms, following significant modernization efforts. It is recognized as one of the world's most powerful militaries, with substantial personnel and advanced capabilities.
2024: China's Diplomatic Network
By 2024, China had established diplomatic relations with 179 United Nation member states, maintaining embassies in 174. This expansion highlights China's growing influence on the global stage.
2025: Projected Peak in GHG Emissions
China's greenhouse gas emissions are projected to reach their highest point in 2025, according to current policies.
2030: Stabilization of GHG Emissions
By 2030, China's GHG emissions are expected to stabilize and return to 2022 levels.
2030: Target Date for China's Human Lunar Landing
China has set an ambitious target of 2030 to achieve its goal of landing humans on the Moon, marking a significant milestone in its space exploration endeavors.
2045: Target for Phasing Out Coal-Fired Power
To mitigate climate change, China aims to phase out coal-fired power generation without carbon capture by 2045, according to academics.