Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

User:AntiChicomWarrior

2018-12-30T20:20:25Z

AntiChicomWarrior:

I affirm myself as reborn and baptized Christian (Protestantism), always attending churches on Sunday. Ethnically I am Chinese and I am indeed from Mainland China (I attending house churches only though). However, don't mix me up with the Chicoms, I have nothing to do with them anymore. Although I support 1A and I pretty much dislike the idea of government intervening the speech of people, I would be vocal once some people making fact-distorting statements in my life.

Taiwan

2018-12-30T18:53:52Z

AntiChicomWarrior:

{{Country
|name =Republic of China (Taiwan)<ref name=MOFA>''[https://issuu.com/noopkrissana/docs/english Taiwan: The Republic of China at a glance 2017]'', Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan). The table on the inside cover says, "Official name: Republic of China (Taiwan)." Under the Nationalists, the official name of the country was "Republic of China."</ref> ''Zhōnghuá Mínguó'' 中華民國
|map =Taiwanmap.jpg
|map2 =Taiwan location.png
|flag =Flag of Taiwan ROC.png
|arms =Arms of Taiwan.png
|capital =Taipei
|capital-raw =
|government =
|government-raw =
|language =Chinese
|king =
|queen =
|monarch-raw =
|president =Tsai Ing-wen
|president-raw =
|chancellor =
|chancellor-raw =
|pm =Lin Chuan
|pm-raw =
|area =13,974 sq mi
|pop =23,550,000<ref name=MOFA2>''[https://issuu.com/noopkrissana/docs/english Taiwan: The Republic of China at a glance 2017]'', Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan).</ref>
|pop-basis =April 2017
|gdp =
|gdp-year =
|gdp-pc =
|currency =New Taiwan dollar
|idd =
|tld =
}}
'''Taiwan''', officially '''The Republic of China''' (Chinese: 中華民國), also '''Formosa''', is an island state and a democracy in East Asia. The population was 23.55 million in 2017 and the dominant language is Chinese.<ref name=MOFA2 /> In 2012, it had the 20th largest economy in the world, according to the [[International Monetary Fund]].<ref>Taiwan's GDP for 2012 was $902 billion (PPP).</ref> Neighboring states include China to the west, Japan to the east and northeast, and the Philippines to the south. The capital is [[Taipei]] in the north of the island. Known for its natural beauty, the country is 245 miles long and 89 miles wide, with a steep central mountain range and plains on the west coast.

The Dutch East India Company had a trading post on Taiwan in the seventeenth century. The island was acquired by Japan in 1895 as a result of the Sino-Japanese War. It was returned to China in 1945 at the end of World War II. The current division between Taiwan and the mainland originated in 1949, when the [[Chinese Nationalist Party]], or KMT, was defeated by the communists in the Chinese Civil War, fled the mainland, and relocated to Taiwan.

The [[United Nations]] and most non-communist states continued to recognize the Nationalist regime in Taiwan as the legitimate government of China until 1971. At this time, the Nationalists were expelled from the U.N. and China's seat was reassigned to Beijing. The communist government in Beijing claims Taiwan as a renegade province. President Jimmy Carter withdrew U.S. recognition of Taiwan in 1979, and Congress passed the Taiwan Relations Act to regulate relations between the two countries.

Taiwan was under marital law from 1948 until 1987. During this period, Taiwan was a one-party state and opposition political activity was not permitted. The country held its first democratic presidential election in 1996. A presidential election in January 2016 was won by Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party. Her party, strongly opposed by China, stresses "Taiwanization" as opposed to Chinese identity. The Western media often accuses Beijing of treating Taiwan as a "renegade province," although the Chinese media denies this.<ref>"The mainland has never called Taiwan a "renegade province" and has repeatedly stressed that the cross-straits negotiation will not be one between the central government and a local government, it will be an equal negotiation under the One-China principle." ("[http://en.people.cn/english/200005/16/eng20000516_40946.html Taiwan's New Leader Urged to Recognize One-China Principle]", ''People's Daily'', May 17, 2000.)</ref>

==People==
Taiwan has a population of 23 million. Numbering more than 18 million, the "native" Taiwanese, are descendants of migrants from Fujian and Guangdong provinces on the mainland, primarily in the 18th and 19th centuries. The "mainlanders," who arrived in Taiwan after 1945, came from all parts of China. About 485,000 "aborigines" (indigenous peoples of Taiwan who have not mixed with other peoples in recent times) inhabit the mountainous central and eastern parts of the island and are believed to be of Malayo-Polynesian origin. Of Taiwan's total population, approximately one million, or 4.4 percent, currently reside in mainland China.
*Population (2007): 23.0 million.
*Annual growth rate (2007): 0.36 percent.
*Languages: Mandarin (official), Taiwanese, Hakka.
*Education: Years compulsory—9. Attendance (2006)--99.0 percent. Literacy (2006)--97.5 percent.
*Health: Infant mortality rate (2006)--0.46 percent. Life expectancy (2006)--77.46 years; male 74.57 years.; female 80.81 years.
*Work force (2007): 10.7 million.

====Language====
{{Language box
|s=台灣
|t=臺灣
|p=Táiwān
|w=Tai-wan
}}Taiwan's official language and medium of instruction is Chinese. The Taiwanese form of the spoken language, known as ''Guóyǔ'' (national language), does not differ significantly from the ''Pǔtōnghuà'' (common speech) spoken on the mainland. Taiwan uses the "unsimplified" characters of pre-communist China, so its writing system is distinct. Most Taiwanese speak Minnan, or Taiwanese, as their first language. Minnan is also spoken in southern Fujian. Recently there has been a growing use of Taiwanese in the broadcast media. The Hakka, who are concentrated in several counties throughout Taiwan, have their own distinct language. Minnan, Hakka, and Mandarin are members of the Chinese language family. As a result of more than half a century of Japanese rule, many older people can also speak Japanese.

From 2002 to 2008, Tongyu Pinyin ("general-use spelling of sounds") was Taiwan's official Romanization system. This system is a variant of the Hanyu Pinyin system used on the mainland. Taiwan adopted Hanyu Pinyin officially in 2008. In practice, Taiwanese use of the Latin alphabet remains chaotic.

====Religion====
According to the Interior Ministry, there are about 11.2 million religious believers in Taiwan, with more than 75 percent identifying themselves as [[Buddhist]]s or [[Taoist]]s. At the same time, there is a strong belief in traditional folk religion throughout the island. These are not mutually exclusive, and many people practice a combination of the three. [[Confucian]]ism also is an honored school of thought and ethical code. Christian churches have been active on Taiwan for many years, and today, the island has more than 600,000 Christians, a majority of whom are Protestant.

====Culture====
Taiwan's culture is a blend of Chinese, Japanese, local Taiwanese and Western influences. Fine arts, folk traditions, and popular culture embody traditional and modern, Asian, and Western motifs. One of Taiwan's greatest attractions is the Palace Museum, which houses over 650,000 pieces of Chinese bronze, jade, calligraphy, painting, and porcelain. This collection was moved from the mainland in 1949 when Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist Party (KMT) fled to Taiwan. The collection is so extensive that only 1 percent is on display at any one time.

====Education====
A nine-year public educational system has been in effect since 1979. Six years of elementary school and 3 years of junior high are compulsory for all children. About 96.2 percent of junior high graduates continue their studies in either a senior high or vocational school. Taiwan has an extensive higher education system with 163 institutions of higher learning. Each year, about 170,000 students attempt to enter higher education institutes; about 69 percent of the candidates are admitted to a college or university. Opportunities for graduate education are expanding in Taiwan, but many students travel abroad for advanced education. In 2006, over 16,000 U.S. student visas were issued to Taiwan passport holders.

==Government==
The authorities in Taipei exercise control over Taiwan, Quemoy, Matsu, the Penghus (Pescadores) and several other smaller islands. Taiwan is divided into counties, provincial municipalities, and two special municipalities, Taipei and Kaohsiung. At the end of 1998, the Constitution was amended to make all counties and cities directly administered by the Executive Yuan. From 1949 until 1991, the authorities on Taiwan claimed to be the sole legitimate government of all of China, including the mainland. In keeping with that claim, when the Nationalists retreated to Taiwan in 1949, they re-established the full array of central political bodies, which had existed on the mainland. While much of this structure remains in place, the authorities on Taiwan in 1991 abandoned their claim of governing mainland China, stating that they do not "dispute the fact that the PRC controls mainland China."

The first National Assembly, elected on the mainland in 1947 to carry out the duties of choosing the president and amending the constitution, was re-established on Taiwan when the KMT moved. Because it was impossible to hold subsequent elections to represent constituencies on the mainland, representatives elected in 1947-1948 held these seats "indefinitely." In June 1990, however, the Council of Grand Justices mandated the retirement, effective December 1991, of all remaining "indefinitely" elected members of the National Assembly and other bodies.

The second National Assembly, elected in 1991, was composed of 325 members. The majority were elected directly, while 100 were chosen from party slates in proportion to the popular vote. This National Assembly amended the Constitution in 1994, paving the way for the direct election of the president and vice president the first of which was held in March 1996. In April 2000, the members of the National Assembly voted to permit their terms of office to expire without holding new elections. The National Assembly elected in 2005 voted to abolish itself the following month, leaving Taiwan with a unicameral legislature. The president is both leader of Taiwan and Commander-in-Chief of its armed forces. The president has authority over four of the five administrative branches (Yuan): Executive, Control, Judicial, and Examination. The president appoints the president of the Executive Yuan, who also serves as the premier. The premier and the cabinet members are responsible for government policy and administration.

The main lawmaking body, the Legislative Yuan, was originally elected in the late 1940s in parallel with the National Assembly. The first LY had 773 seats and was viewed as a "rubber stamp" institution. The second LY was not elected until 1992. The third LY, elected in 1995, had 157 members serving 3-year terms, while the fourth LY, elected in 1998, was enlarged to 225 members. The LY has greatly enhanced its standing in relation to the Executive Yuan and has established itself as a major player on the central level. With increasing strength, size, and complexity, the LY now mirrors Taiwan's recently liberalized political system. In the 1992 and 1995 elections, the main opposition party—the Democratic Progressive Party—challenged the half-century of KMT dominance of the Legislature. In both elections, the DPP won a significant share of the LY seats, leaving only half of the LY seats in the hands of the KMT. In 2001, the DPP won a plurality of LY seats—88 to KMT's 66, PFP's 45, TSU's 13, and other parties' 13. In the December 2004 LY election, the Pan-Blue coalition won a slender majority of 114 of the 225 seats compared to the Pan-Green coalition's 101. The LY was halved in size from 225 to 113 seats by constitutional amendments in 2005. In the January 2008 LY election, the first to be held under this new structure, the KMT won an absolute majority of 81 seats to the DPP's 27 seats, with the remaining five seats going to independent and small party candidates.

In 1994, when the National Assembly voted to allow direct popular election of the president, the LY passed legislation allowing for the direct election of the governor of Taiwan Province and the mayors of Taipei and Kaohsiung special municipalities. These elections were first held in 1994. In a move to streamline administration, the position of elected governor was abolished at the end of 1998, and most other elements of the Taiwan provincial government have been eliminated.

The Control Yuan monitors the efficiency of public service and investigates instances of corruption. The 29 Control Yuan members are appointed by the president and approved by the National Assembly; they serve six-year terms. In recent years, the Control Yuan has become more activist, and it has conducted several major investigations and impeachments. Since 2004, however, the pan-Blue dominated LY has refused to approve the new slate of CY members proposed by President Chen, leaving the CY inactive.

The Judicial Yuan administers Taiwan's court system. It includes a 16-member Council of Grand Justices that interprets the constitution. Grand Justices are appointed by the president, with the consent of the National Assembly, to nine-year terms.

The Examination Yuan functions as a civil service commission and includes two ministries: the Ministry of Examination, which recruits officials through competitive examination, and the Ministry of Personnel, which manages the civil service. The president appoints the president of the Examination Yuan.

===Principal government officials===
*President—Tsai Ing-wen
*Vice President—Chen Chien-jen
*Premier—Lai Ching‑te
*Vice Premier--
*Secretary-General, Executive Yuan—Chuo Rung-tai
*Minister of the Interior—Liai Liou-yi
*Minister of Foreign Affairs—Francisco H. L. Lin
*Minister of National Defense—Chen Chao-min
*Minister of Finance—Li Sush-der
*Minister of Education—Cheng Jei-cheng

===Political conditions===
Until 1986, Taiwan's political system was effectively controlled by one party, the Kuomintang (KMT), the chairman of which was also Taiwan's President. As the ruling party, the KMT was able to fill appointed positions with its members and maintain political control of the island. President Chiang Kai-shek ruled by military dictatorship, declared martial law, and also had a secret police, to silence operation, quite like what his counterpart Mao Zedong was doing. The Taiwanese military was complete with political commissars copied directly from the soviet union, his secret police quick to silence opposition.

After 1986, the KMT's hold on power was challenged by the emergence of competing political parties. Before 1986, candidates opposing the KMT ran in elections as independents or "nonpartisans." Before the 1986 island-wide elections, many "nonpartisans" grouped together to create Taiwan's first new political party, the Democratic Progressive Party. Despite the official ban on forming new political parties, Taiwan authorities did not prohibit the DPP from operating, and in the 1986 island-wide elections, DPP and independent candidates captured more than 20 percent of the vote. In 1987, President Chiang Ching-kuo lifted the emergency decree, which had been in place since 1948 and which had granted virtually unlimited powers to the president for use in the anti-communist campaign. This decree provided the basis for nearly four decades of martial law under which individuals and groups expressing dissenting views were dealt with harshly. Expressing views contrary to the authorities' claim to represent all of China or supporting independent legal status for Taiwan was treated as sedition. Since ending martial law, Taiwan has taken dramatic steps to improve respect for human rights and create a democratic political system. Almost all restrictions on the press have ended, restrictions on personal freedoms have been relaxed, and the prohibition against organizing new political parties has been lifted. Lee Teng-hui succeeded Chiang Ching-kuo as president when Chiang died in 1988.

====Political parties====
In addition to the KMT (described above in 'History' and 'Political Conditions'), there is one other major political party, the DPP, whose membership is made up largely of native Taiwanese, and whose platform includes outspoken positions on some of the most sensitive issues in Taiwan politics. For example, the DPP maintains that Taiwan is an entity separate from mainland China, in contrast to the KMT position that Taiwan and the mainland, though currently divided, are both part of "one China." In sharp contrast to the tenets of both KMT and Communist policy, a number of ranking DPP officials openly advocate independence for Taiwan.

There are a number of small political parties, most notably the Taiwan Solidarity Union. Former KMT President Lee Teng-hui broke with the KMT after the 2000 presidential election and formed the pro-independence Taiwan Solidarity Union in 2001. The TSU, which advocates changing Taiwan's official name and completely replacing the 1947 constitution, allied itself with the DPP as part of the ruling "Pan-Green" alliance. The TSU, however, failed to elect any members to the LY in January 2008. The other significant small party, People First Party, was formed in the wake of the 2000 presidential election, composed of former KMT members who supported former KMT Taiwan Provincial Governor James Soong's presidential bid. PFP and KMT subsequently formed the "Pan-Blue" Alliance to oppose the DPP government. The PFP, however, largely merged with the KMT in the run up to the January 2008 LY election, although one PFP candidate did win election to the LY under the name PFP. In addition, there are more than 10 other small political parties, such as the Hakka Party, the Green Party, and the Constitution Party, none of which received more than 1 percent or 2 percent of votes in the 2008 LY election.

===Foreign relations===
The People's Republic replaced Taiwan at the United Nations in 1971, and Taiwan's diplomatic position has continued to erode, as many countries changed their official recognition from Taipei to Beijing. As of 2008, Taiwan had formal diplomatic ties with 23 countries. At the same time, Taiwan has cultivated informal ties with most countries to offset its diplomatic isolation and to expand its economic relations. A number of nations have set up unofficial organizations to carry out commercial and other relations with Taiwan. Including its official overseas missions and its unofficial representative and/or trade offices, Taiwan is represented in 122 countries. Recently, Taiwan has lobbied strongly for admission into the United Nations and other international organizations, such as the World Health Organization. China opposes Taiwan's membership in such organizations, most of which require statehood for membership, because Beijing considers Taiwan to be a province of China, not a separate sovereign state. The Taiwanese government itself considers Taiwan a province of China, but not of the People's Republic of China, rather of the Republic of China.

===Relations with China===
Despite differences between Taiwan and China, contact between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait has grown significantly over the past decade. Taiwan has continued to relax restrictions on unofficial contacts with China, and cross-strait interaction has mushroomed. In 2001, Taiwan formally allowed the "three mini-links" (direct trade, travel, and postal links) from Quemoy and Matsu Islands to Fujian Province and permitted direct cross-strait trade in February 2002. Taiwan authorities permitted residents of Penghu Islands starting in 2007, to begin visiting mainland China via Quemoy and Matsu. Cross-strait trade has grown rapidly over the past 10 years. China is Taiwan's largest trading partner, and Taiwan is China's fifth largest.

===Relations with the United States===
In 1979, the United States changed its diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing. In the U.S.-China Joint Communiqué that announced the change, the United States recognized the government of the People's Republic as the sole legal government of China and acknowledged the Chinese position that there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China. The Joint Communiqué also stated that within this context the people of the United States will maintain cultural, commercial, and other unofficial relations with the people on Taiwan.

In 1979, President Carter signed into law the Taiwan Relations Act, which created domestic legal authority for the conduct of unofficial relations with Taiwan. U.S. commercial, cultural, and other interaction with the people on Taiwan is facilitated through the American Institute in Taiwan, a private nonprofit corporation. The Institute has its headquarters in the Washington, DC area and has offices in Taipei and Kaohsiung. It is authorized to issue visas, accept passport applications, and provide assistance to U.S. citizens in Taiwan. A counterpart organization, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States, has been established by the Taiwan authorities. It has its headquarters in Taipei, the representative branch office in Washington, DC, and 11 other Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices in the continental U.S. and Guam. The Taiwan Relations Act continues to provide the legal basis for relations between the U.S. and Taiwan, and enshrines the U.S. commitment to assisting Taiwan maintain its defensive capability.

Following de-recognition, the United States terminated its Mutual Defense Treaty with Taiwan. However, the United States has continued the sale of appropriate defensive military equipment to Taiwan in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act, which provides for such sales and which declares that peace and stability in the area are in U.S. interests. Sales of defensive military equipment are also consistent with the 1982 U.S.-China Joint Communiqué.

The United States position on Taiwan is reflected in the Three Communiqués and the Taiwan Relations Act. The U.S. insists on the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait differences and encourages dialogue to help advance such an outcome. The U.S. does not support Taiwan independence. President Bush stated on December 9, 2003 that the United States is opposed to any attempt by either side to unilaterally alter the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. While the United States welcomes recent exchanges that enhance channels of communication between leaders in Beijing and Taipei, the United States urges Beijing and Taipei to further advance cross-Strait cooperation and dialogue, including direct discussions between the authorities in Beijing and elected leaders in Taipei.

==Defense==
In proportion to its population, Taiwan still maintains a large military establishment. Defense expenditures accounted for 2.69 percent of GDP in 2007, and the 2008 central budget proposal increased defense expenditures to 3 percent of GDP. The military's primary mission is the defense of Taiwan against China, which is seen as the predominant threat and which has not renounced the use of force against Taiwan. Taiwan's armed forces were reduced as part of a reform initiative from 1997 to 2001, going from about 450,000 to 385,000, with further reductions since then bringing the total force level down to just under 300,000. Registered reservists reportedly totaled 3,870,000 in 1997. Conscription remains universal for qualified males between the ages of 18 and 30. In 2007 the length of conscription service was dropped from 16 to 14 months, with a view toward eventually creating an all-volunteer force. For qualified applicants, alternative service is available in police and fire departments and public clinics, as well as through teaching in some rural schools. Applicants with advanced degrees may qualify for National Defense Service, consisting of reserve officer training followed by four years of work in a government or academic research institution.

Taiwan's armed forces are equipped with weapons obtained primarily from the United States. In recent years, however, Taiwan also has procured some weapons from other Western nations and has stressed military "self-reliance," which has resulted in the growth of indigenous military production in certain fields. In 2007 Taiwan's legislature approved funding for certain defensive weapons systems the U.S. agreed to sell Taiwan in 2001 and earlier. These included the Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-2 upgrade) missile defense system, P-3C maritime patrol aircraft, and a preliminary study of diesel-electric submarines. These systems would give Taiwan key capabilities in missile defense and anti-submarine warfare to remedy vulnerabilities in countering the China's accelerated military modernization. Taiwan adheres to the principles of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and has stated that it does not intend to produce nuclear weapons.

==Economy==
Through over five decades of hard work and sound economic management, Taiwan has transformed itself from an underdeveloped, agricultural island to an economic power that is a leading producer of high-technology goods. In the 1960s, foreign investment in Taiwan helped introduce modern, labor-intensive technology to the island, and Taiwan became a major exporter of labor-intensive products. In the 1980s, focus shifted toward increasingly sophisticated, capital-intensive and technology-intensive products for export and toward developing the service sector. At the same time, the appreciation of the New Taiwan dollar, rising labor costs, and increasing environmental consciousness in Taiwan caused many labor-intensive industries, such as shoe manufacturing, to move to China and Southeast Asia. Taiwan has transformed itself from a recipient of U.S. aid in the 1950s and early 1960s to an aid donor and major foreign investor, especially in Asia. Taiwan is now a creditor economy, holding the world's fourth-largest stock of foreign exchange reserves ($273 billion as of 2007). Although Taiwan enjoyed sustained economic growth, full employment, and low inflation for many years, in 2001, Taiwan joined other regional economies in its first recession since 1949. The economy began to recover in 2002, but the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) slowed growth to 3.5 percent in 2003. The world economic upturn drove growth in 2004 to 6.2 percent. However, slower world growth in 2005, higher energy prices and interest rates, and excess inventory dragged 2005 growth to 4.2 percent. Continued expansion of exports pushed up Taiwan's economic growth to 5.7 percent in 2007.
*GDP (2007): $383 billion.
*Real annual growth rate (2007): 4.6 5.7 percent.
*Per capita GDP (2007): $16,790.
*Unemployment (2007) 3.9 percent.
*Natural resources: Small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, and asbestos.
*Agriculture (1.4 percent of GDP): Major products—pork, rice, fruit and vegetables, sugarcane, poultry, shrimp, eel.
*Services: (71.1 percent of GDP).
*Industry (27.5 percent of GDP): Types—electronics and flat panel products, chemicals and petrochemicals, basic metals, machinery, textiles, transport equipment, plastics, machinery.
*Trade (2007): Exports--$247 billion: electronics, optical and precision instruments, information and communications products, textile products, basic metals, plastic and rubber products. Major markets—U.S. $32 billion, China and Hong Kong $100 billion, Japan $16 billion. Imports--$219 billion: electronics, optical and precision instruments, information and communications products, machinery and electrical products, chemicals, basic metals, transport equipment, crude oil. Major suppliers—Japan $46 billion, China $30 billion, U.S. $27 billion.

====Foreign trade====
Foreign trade has been the engine of Taiwan's rapid growth during the past 50 years. Taiwan's economy remains export-oriented, so it depends on an open world trade regime and remains vulnerable to fluctuations in the world economy. The total value of trade increased more than five-fold in the 1960s, nearly ten-fold in the 1970s, doubled in the 1980s, and nearly doubled again in the 1990s. In the first half of this decade, exports grew 60 percent. Export composition changed from predominantly agricultural commodities to industrial goods (now 98 percent). The electronics sector is Taiwan's most important industrial export sector and is the largest recipient of U.S. investment. Taiwan became a member of the World Trade Organization as a special customs territory in January 2002.

Taiwan firms are the world's largest suppliers of computer monitors and leaders in PC manufacturing, although now much of the final assembly of these products occurs overseas, typically in China. Textile production continues to move to lower-cost locations overseas, but is still a major industrial export sector and employs nearly 190,000 people. Imports are dominated by raw materials and capital goods, which account for more than 90 percent of the total. Taiwan imports coal, oil and gas to meet most of its energy needs. Reflecting the large Taiwan investment in China, it supplanted the United States as Taiwan's largest trade partner in 2003. In 2007, China (including Hong Kong) accounted for over 28 percent of Taiwan's total trade and almost 41 percent of Taiwan's exports. Japan was Taiwan's second-largest trading partner with 13 percent of total trade, including 21 percent of Taiwan's imports. The U.S. is now Taiwan's third-largest trade partner, taking 12.6 percent of Taiwan's exports and supplying 12 percent of its imports. Taiwan is the United States' ninth-largest trading partner; Taiwan's two-way trade with the United States amounted to $61 billion in 2006 and rose 5.6 percent to $65 billion in 2007. Imports from the United States consist mostly of agricultural and industrial raw materials as well as machinery and equipment. Exports to the United States are mainly electronics and consumer goods. The United States, Hong Kong, China, and Japan account for 60.2 percent of Taiwan's exports, and the United States, Japan, and China provide almost 46.6 percent of Taiwan's imports. As Taiwan's per capita income level has risen, demand for imported, high-quality consumer goods has increased. The U.S. trade deficit with Taiwan in 2007 was $11.9 billion, down 21 percent from $15.2 billion in 2006. Even though Taiwan maintains formal diplomatic relations with about a score of its trading partners, Taiwan maintains trade offices in nearly 100 countries. Taiwan is a member of the Asian Development Bank, the WTO, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. Taiwan is also an observer at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. These developments reflect Taiwan's economic importance and its desire to become further integrated into the global economy.

====Agriculture====
Although only about one-quarter of Taiwan's land area is arable, virtually all farmland is intensely cultivated, with some areas suitable for two and even three crops a year. However, increases in agricultural production have been much slower than industrial growth. Agriculture only comprises about 1.4 percent of Taiwan's GDP. Taiwan's main crops are rice, sugarcane, fruit, and vegetables. While largely self-sufficient in rice production, Taiwan imports large amounts of wheat, corn, and soybeans, mostly from the United States. Poultry and pork production are mainstays of the livestock sector and the major demand drivers for imported corn and soybeans. Rising standards of living have led to increased demand for a wide variety of high-quality food products, much of it imported. Overall, U.S. agricultural and food products account for more than 30 percent of Taiwan's agricultural import demand. U.S. food and agricultural exports total about $2.5 billion annually, making Taiwan the United States' sixth-largest agricultural export destination. Taiwan's agricultural exports include frozen fish, aquaculture and sea products, canned and frozen vegetables, and grain products. Taiwan's imports of agricultural products have increased since its WTO accession in 2002, and it is slowly liberalizing previously protected agricultural markets.

==History==
Pre-historically, Taiwan's inhabitants consisted of various tribes believed to be of Malayo-Polonesian origin, who today only make up over 2 percent of the Taiwanese population (though most have mixed with other ethnic groups in recent times); this changed with the arrival of invaders from the Ming dynasty, who swiftly lost control of the island to Dutch explorers when they colonized the island in 1624. Two years later, the Spanish established a settlement on the northwest coast of Taiwan, which they occupied until 1642 when they were driven out by the Dutch. Dutch colonists administered the island and its predominantly Aboriginal population until 1661. The first major influx of migrants from mainland China came during the Dutch period, sparked by the political and economic chaos on the China coast during the Manchu invasion and the end of the Ming dynasty.

In 1664, a fleet led by the Ming loyalist Cheng Ch'eng-kung (Zheng Chenggong, known in the West as Koxinga) retreated from the mainland and occupied Taiwan. Cheng expelled the Dutch and established Taiwan as a base in his attempt to restore the Ming Dynasty. He died shortly thereafter, and in 1683, his successors submitted to Manchu (Qing dynasty) control. From 1680, the Qing Dynasty ruled Taiwan as a prefecture and, in 1875, divided the island into two prefectures, north and south. In 1887 the island was declared a Chinese province.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, migration from Fujian and Guangdong provinces steadily increased, and migrants from these two provinces supplanted aborigines as the dominant population group. In 1895, a weakened Imperial China ceded Taiwan to Japan in the Treaty of Shimonoseki following the first Sino-Japanese war.

During its 50 years (1895-1945) of rule, Japan expended considerable effort in developing Taiwan's economy. At the same time, Japanese rule led to the "Japanization" of the island, including compulsory Japanese education and requiring residents of Taiwan to adopt Japanese names.

At the end of World War II in 1945, Taiwan reverted to Chinese rule. During the immediate postwar period, the Nationalist Chinese (KMT) administration on Taiwan was repressive and corrupt, leading to local discontent. Anti-mainlander violence flared on February 28, 1947, prompted by an incident in which a cigarette seller was injured and a passerby was shot to death by Nationalist authorities. The island-wide rioting was brutally put down by Nationalist Chinese troops, who killed thousands of people. As a result of the February 28 Incident, the native Taiwanese felt a deep-seated bitterness toward the mainlanders. For 50 years the KMT authorities suppressed accounts of this episode in Taiwan history. In 1995 a monument was dedicated to the victims of the "2-28 Incident," and for the first time, Taiwan's leader, President Lee Teng-hui, publicly apologized for the Nationalists' brutality.

Starting before World War II and continuing afterwards, a civil war was fought in mainland China between Chiang Kai-shek's KMT government and the Chinese Communist Party led by Mao Zedong. When the civil war ended in 1949, 2 million refugees, predominately from the Nationalist government, military, and business community, fled to Taiwan. In October 1949 the People's Republic of China was founded in mainland China by the victorious communists. Chiang Kai-shek established a "provisional" KMT capital in Taipei in December 1949. During the 1950s, the KMT authorities implemented a far-reaching and highly successful land reform program on Taiwan. They redistributed land among small farmers and compensated large landowners with commodities certificates and stock in state-owned industries. Although this left some large landowners impoverished, others turned their compensation into capital and started commercial and industrial enterprises. These entrepreneurs were to become Taiwan's first industrial capitalists. Together with refugee businessmen from the mainland, they managed Taiwan's transition from an agricultural to a commercial, industrial economy.

Taiwan has developed steadily into a major international trading power with $466 billion in two-way trade (2007). Taiwan's accession to the World Trade Organization in 2002 has expanded its trade opportunities and further strengthened its standing in the global economy. Tremendous prosperity on the island has been accompanied by economic and social stability. Chiang Kai-shek's successor, his son Chiang Ching-kuo, began to liberalize Taiwan's political system, a process that continued when President Lee Teng-hui took office in 1988. The direct election of Lee Teng-hui as president in 1996 was followed by opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Chen Shui-bian's election victory in 2000. Chen was re-elected in 2004 in a tightly contested election. KMT's Ma Ying-jeou won the 2008 presidential election by a substantial majority and was inaugurated in 2008.

==Further reading==
* Taylor, Jay. ''The Generalissimo: Chiang Kai-shek and the Struggle for Modern China'' (2009), 722 pp. highly favorable scholarly biography
*[http://www.taiwan.gov.tw Taiwan: Republic of China]. Official site

==References==
<references/>

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[[Category:Islands]]
[[Category:Asian Countries]]
[[Category:Taiwan]]
[[Category:Buddhism]]

Taiwan

2018-12-30T18:47:35Z

AntiChicomWarrior:

{{Country
|name =Republic of China (Taiwan)<ref name=MOFA>''[https://issuu.com/noopkrissana/docs/english Taiwan: The Republic of China at a glance 2017]'', Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan). The table on the inside cover says, "Official name: Republic of China (Taiwan)." Under the Nationalists, the official name of the country was "Republic of China."</ref> ''Zhōnghuá Mínguó'' 中華民國
|map =Taiwanmap.jpg
|map2 =Taiwan location.png
|flag =Flag of Taiwan ROC.png
|arms =Arms of Taiwan.png
|capital =Taipei
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|language =Chinese
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|president =Tsai Ing-wen
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|chancellor-raw =
|pm =Lin Chuan
|pm-raw =
|area =13,974 sq mi
|pop =23,550,000<ref name=MOFA2>''[https://issuu.com/noopkrissana/docs/english Taiwan: The Republic of China at a glance 2017]'', Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan).</ref>
|pop-basis =April 2017
|gdp =
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'''Taiwan''', officially '''The Republic of China''' (Chinese: 中華民國), also '''Formosa''', is an island state and a democracy in East Asia. The population was 23.55 million in 2017 and the dominant language is Chinese.<ref name=MOFA2 /> In 2012, it had the 20th largest economy in the world, according to the [[International Monetary Fund]].<ref>Taiwan's GDP for 2012 was $902 billion (PPP).</ref> Neighboring states include China to the west, Japan to the east and northeast, and the Philippines to the south. The capital is [[Taipei]] in the north of the island. Known for its natural beauty, the country is 245 miles long and 89 miles wide, with a steep central mountain range and plains on the west coast.

The Dutch East India Company had a trading post on Taiwan in the seventeenth century. The island was acquired by Japan in 1895 as a result of the Sino-Japanese War. It was returned to China in 1945 at the end of World War II. The current division between Taiwan and the mainland originated in 1949, when the [[Chinese Nationalist Party]], or KMT, was defeated by the communists in the Chinese Civil War, fled the mainland, and relocated to Taiwan.

The [[United Nations]] and most non-communist states continued to recognize the Nationalist regime in Taiwan as the legitimate government of China until 1971. At this time, the Nationalists were expelled from the U.N. and China's seat was reassigned to Beijing. The communist government in Beijing claims Taiwan as a renegade province. President Jimmy Carter withdrew U.S. recognition of Taiwan in 1979, and Congress passed the Taiwan Relations Act to regulate relations between the two countries.

Taiwan was under marital law from 1948 until 1987. During this period, Taiwan was a one-party state and opposition political activity was not permitted. The country held its first democratic presidential election in 1996. A presidential election in January 2016 was won by Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party. Her party, strongly opposed by China, stresses "Taiwanization" as opposed to Chinese identity. The Western media often accuses Beijing of treating Taiwan as a "renegade province," although the Chinese media denies this.<ref>"The mainland has never called Taiwan a "renegade province" and has repeatedly stressed that the cross-straits negotiation will not be one between the central government and a local government, it will be an equal negotiation under the One-China principle." ("[http://en.people.cn/english/200005/16/eng20000516_40946.html Taiwan's New Leader Urged to Recognize One-China Principle]", ''People's Daily'', May 17, 2000.)</ref>

==People==
Taiwan has a population of 23 million. Numbering more than 18 million, the "native" Taiwanese, are descendants of migrants from Fujian and Guangdong provinces on the mainland, primarily in the 18th and 19th centuries. The "mainlanders," who arrived in Taiwan after 1945, came from all parts of China. About 485,000 "aborigines" (indigenous peoples of Taiwan who have not mixed with other peoples in recent times) inhabit the mountainous central and eastern parts of the island and are believed to be of Malayo-Polynesian origin. Of Taiwan's total population, approximately one million, or 4.4 percent, currently reside in mainland China.
*Population (2007): 23.0 million.
*Annual growth rate (2007): 0.36 percent.
*Languages: Mandarin (official), Taiwanese, Hakka.
*Education: Years compulsory—9. Attendance (2006)--99.0 percent. Literacy (2006)--97.5 percent.
*Health: Infant mortality rate (2006)--0.46 percent. Life expectancy (2006)--77.46 years; male 74.57 years.; female 80.81 years.
*Work force (2007): 10.7 million.

====Language====
{{Language box
|s=台灣
|t=臺灣
|p=Táiwān
|w=Tai-wan
}}Taiwan's official language and medium of instruction is Chinese. The Taiwanese form of the spoken language, known as ''Guóyǔ'' (national language), does not differ significantly from the ''Pǔtōnghuà'' (common speech) spoken on the mainland. Taiwan uses the "unsimplified" characters of pre-communist China, so its writing system is distinct. Most Taiwanese speak Minnan, or Taiwanese, as their first language. Minnan is also spoken in southern Fujian. Recently there has been a growing use of Taiwanese in the broadcast media. The Hakka, who are concentrated in several counties throughout Taiwan, have their own distinct language. Minnan, Hakka, and Mandarin are members of the Chinese language family. As a result of more than half a century of Japanese rule, many older people can also speak Japanese.

From 2002 to 2008, Tongyu Pinyin ("general-use spelling of sounds") was Taiwan's official Romanization system. This system is a variant of the Hanyu Pinyin system used on the mainland. Taiwan adopted Hanyu Pinyin officially in 2008. In practice, Taiwanese use of the Latin alphabet remains chaotic.

====Religion====
According to the Interior Ministry, there are about 11.2 million religious believers in Taiwan, with more than 75 percent identifying themselves as [[Buddhist]]s or [[Taoist]]s. At the same time, there is a strong belief in traditional folk religion throughout the island. These are not mutually exclusive, and many people practice a combination of the three. [[Confucian]]ism also is an honored school of thought and ethical code. Christian churches have been active on Taiwan for many years, and today, the island has more than 600,000 Christians, a majority of whom are Protestant.

====Culture====
Taiwan's culture is a blend of Chinese, Japanese, local Taiwanese and Western influences. Fine arts, folk traditions, and popular culture embody traditional and modern, Asian, and Western motifs. One of Taiwan's greatest attractions is the Palace Museum, which houses over 650,000 pieces of Chinese bronze, jade, calligraphy, painting, and porcelain. This collection was moved from the mainland in 1949 when Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist Party (KMT) fled to Taiwan. The collection is so extensive that only 1 percent is on display at any one time.

====Education====
A nine-year public educational system has been in effect since 1979. Six years of elementary school and 3 years of junior high are compulsory for all children. About 96.2 percent of junior high graduates continue their studies in either a senior high or vocational school. Taiwan has an extensive higher education system with 163 institutions of higher learning. Each year, about 170,000 students attempt to enter higher education institutes; about 69 percent of the candidates are admitted to a college or university. Opportunities for graduate education are expanding in Taiwan, but many students travel abroad for advanced education. In 2006, over 16,000 U.S. student visas were issued to Taiwan passport holders.

==Government==
The authorities in Taipei exercise control over Taiwan, Quemoy, Matsu, the Penghus (Pescadores) and several other smaller islands. Taiwan is divided into counties, provincial municipalities, and two special municipalities, Taipei and Kaohsiung. At the end of 1998, the Constitution was amended to make all counties and cities directly administered by the Executive Yuan. From 1949 until 1991, the authorities on Taiwan claimed to be the sole legitimate government of all of China, including the mainland. In keeping with that claim, when the Nationalists retreated to Taiwan in 1949, they re-established the full array of central political bodies, which had existed on the mainland. While much of this structure remains in place, the authorities on Taiwan in 1991 abandoned their claim of governing mainland China, stating that they do not "dispute the fact that the PRC controls mainland China."

The first National Assembly, elected on the mainland in 1947 to carry out the duties of choosing the president and amending the constitution, was re-established on Taiwan when the KMT moved. Because it was impossible to hold subsequent elections to represent constituencies on the mainland, representatives elected in 1947-1948 held these seats "indefinitely." In June 1990, however, the Council of Grand Justices mandated the retirement, effective December 1991, of all remaining "indefinitely" elected members of the National Assembly and other bodies.

The second National Assembly, elected in 1991, was composed of 325 members. The majority were elected directly, while 100 were chosen from party slates in proportion to the popular vote. This National Assembly amended the Constitution in 1994, paving the way for the direct election of the president and vice president the first of which was held in March 1996. In April 2000, the members of the National Assembly voted to permit their terms of office to expire without holding new elections. The National Assembly elected in 2005 voted to abolish itself the following month, leaving Taiwan with a unicameral legislature. The president is both leader of Taiwan and Commander-in-Chief of its armed forces. The president has authority over four of the five administrative branches (Yuan): Executive, Control, Judicial, and Examination. The president appoints the president of the Executive Yuan, who also serves as the premier. The premier and the cabinet members are responsible for government policy and administration.

The main lawmaking body, the Legislative Yuan, was originally elected in the late 1940s in parallel with the National Assembly. The first LY had 773 seats and was viewed as a "rubber stamp" institution. The second LY was not elected until 1992. The third LY, elected in 1995, had 157 members serving 3-year terms, while the fourth LY, elected in 1998, was enlarged to 225 members. The LY has greatly enhanced its standing in relation to the Executive Yuan and has established itself as a major player on the central level. With increasing strength, size, and complexity, the LY now mirrors Taiwan's recently liberalized political system. In the 1992 and 1995 elections, the main opposition party—the Democratic Progressive Party—challenged the half-century of KMT dominance of the Legislature. In both elections, the DPP won a significant share of the LY seats, leaving only half of the LY seats in the hands of the KMT. In 2001, the DPP won a plurality of LY seats—88 to KMT's 66, PFP's 45, TSU's 13, and other parties' 13. In the December 2004 LY election, the Pan-Blue coalition won a slender majority of 114 of the 225 seats compared to the Pan-Green coalition's 101. The LY was halved in size from 225 to 113 seats by constitutional amendments in 2005. In the January 2008 LY election, the first to be held under this new structure, the KMT won an absolute majority of 81 seats to the DPP's 27 seats, with the remaining five seats going to independent and small party candidates.

In 1994, when the National Assembly voted to allow direct popular election of the president, the LY passed legislation allowing for the direct election of the governor of Taiwan Province and the mayors of Taipei and Kaohsiung special municipalities. These elections were first held in 1994. In a move to streamline administration, the position of elected governor was abolished at the end of 1998, and most other elements of the Taiwan provincial government have been eliminated.

The Control Yuan monitors the efficiency of public service and investigates instances of corruption. The 29 Control Yuan members are appointed by the president and approved by the National Assembly; they serve six-year terms. In recent years, the Control Yuan has become more activist, and it has conducted several major investigations and impeachments. Since 2004, however, the pan-Blue dominated LY has refused to approve the new slate of CY members proposed by President Chen, leaving the CY inactive.

The Judicial Yuan administers Taiwan's court system. It includes a 16-member Council of Grand Justices that interprets the constitution. Grand Justices are appointed by the president, with the consent of the National Assembly, to nine-year terms.

The Examination Yuan functions as a civil service commission and includes two ministries: the Ministry of Examination, which recruits officials through competitive examination, and the Ministry of Personnel, which manages the civil service. The president appoints the president of the Examination Yuan.

===Principal government officials===
*President—Ma Ying-jeou
*Vice President—Wu Den-yih
*Premier—Mao Chi-kuo
*Vice Premier--
*Secretary-General, Executive Yuan—Hsieh Hsiang-chuan
*Minister of the Interior—Liai Liou-yi
*Minister of Foreign Affairs—Francisco H. L. Lin
*Minister of National Defense—Chen Chao-min
*Minister of Finance—Li Sush-der
*Minister of Education—Cheng Jei-cheng

===Political conditions===
Until 1986, Taiwan's political system was effectively controlled by one party, the Kuomintang (KMT), the chairman of which was also Taiwan's President. As the ruling party, the KMT was able to fill appointed positions with its members and maintain political control of the island. President Chiang Kai-shek ruled by military dictatorship, declared martial law, and also had a secret police, to silence operation, quite like what his counterpart Mao Zedong was doing. The Taiwanese military was complete with political commissars copied directly from the soviet union, his secret police quick to silence opposition.

After 1986, the KMT's hold on power was challenged by the emergence of competing political parties. Before 1986, candidates opposing the KMT ran in elections as independents or "nonpartisans." Before the 1986 island-wide elections, many "nonpartisans" grouped together to create Taiwan's first new political party, the Democratic Progressive Party. Despite the official ban on forming new political parties, Taiwan authorities did not prohibit the DPP from operating, and in the 1986 island-wide elections, DPP and independent candidates captured more than 20 percent of the vote. In 1987, President Chiang Ching-kuo lifted the emergency decree, which had been in place since 1948 and which had granted virtually unlimited powers to the president for use in the anti-communist campaign. This decree provided the basis for nearly four decades of martial law under which individuals and groups expressing dissenting views were dealt with harshly. Expressing views contrary to the authorities' claim to represent all of China or supporting independent legal status for Taiwan was treated as sedition. Since ending martial law, Taiwan has taken dramatic steps to improve respect for human rights and create a democratic political system. Almost all restrictions on the press have ended, restrictions on personal freedoms have been relaxed, and the prohibition against organizing new political parties has been lifted. Lee Teng-hui succeeded Chiang Ching-kuo as president when Chiang died in 1988.

====Political parties====
In addition to the KMT (described above in 'History' and 'Political Conditions'), there is one other major political party, the DPP, whose membership is made up largely of native Taiwanese, and whose platform includes outspoken positions on some of the most sensitive issues in Taiwan politics. For example, the DPP maintains that Taiwan is an entity separate from mainland China, in contrast to the KMT position that Taiwan and the mainland, though currently divided, are both part of "one China." In sharp contrast to the tenets of both KMT and Communist policy, a number of ranking DPP officials openly advocate independence for Taiwan.

There are a number of small political parties, most notably the Taiwan Solidarity Union. Former KMT President Lee Teng-hui broke with the KMT after the 2000 presidential election and formed the pro-independence Taiwan Solidarity Union in 2001. The TSU, which advocates changing Taiwan's official name and completely replacing the 1947 constitution, allied itself with the DPP as part of the ruling "Pan-Green" alliance. The TSU, however, failed to elect any members to the LY in January 2008. The other significant small party, People First Party, was formed in the wake of the 2000 presidential election, composed of former KMT members who supported former KMT Taiwan Provincial Governor James Soong's presidential bid. PFP and KMT subsequently formed the "Pan-Blue" Alliance to oppose the DPP government. The PFP, however, largely merged with the KMT in the run up to the January 2008 LY election, although one PFP candidate did win election to the LY under the name PFP. In addition, there are more than 10 other small political parties, such as the Hakka Party, the Green Party, and the Constitution Party, none of which received more than 1 percent or 2 percent of votes in the 2008 LY election.

===Foreign relations===
The People's Republic replaced Taiwan at the United Nations in 1971, and Taiwan's diplomatic position has continued to erode, as many countries changed their official recognition from Taipei to Beijing. As of 2008, Taiwan had formal diplomatic ties with 23 countries. At the same time, Taiwan has cultivated informal ties with most countries to offset its diplomatic isolation and to expand its economic relations. A number of nations have set up unofficial organizations to carry out commercial and other relations with Taiwan. Including its official overseas missions and its unofficial representative and/or trade offices, Taiwan is represented in 122 countries. Recently, Taiwan has lobbied strongly for admission into the United Nations and other international organizations, such as the World Health Organization. China opposes Taiwan's membership in such organizations, most of which require statehood for membership, because Beijing considers Taiwan to be a province of China, not a separate sovereign state. The Taiwanese government itself considers Taiwan a province of China, but not of the People's Republic of China, rather of the Republic of China.

===Relations with China===
Despite differences between Taiwan and China, contact between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait has grown significantly over the past decade. Taiwan has continued to relax restrictions on unofficial contacts with China, and cross-strait interaction has mushroomed. In 2001, Taiwan formally allowed the "three mini-links" (direct trade, travel, and postal links) from Quemoy and Matsu Islands to Fujian Province and permitted direct cross-strait trade in February 2002. Taiwan authorities permitted residents of Penghu Islands starting in 2007, to begin visiting mainland China via Quemoy and Matsu. Cross-strait trade has grown rapidly over the past 10 years. China is Taiwan's largest trading partner, and Taiwan is China's fifth largest.

===Relations with the United States===
In 1979, the United States changed its diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing. In the U.S.-China Joint Communiqué that announced the change, the United States recognized the government of the People's Republic as the sole legal government of China and acknowledged the Chinese position that there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China. The Joint Communiqué also stated that within this context the people of the United States will maintain cultural, commercial, and other unofficial relations with the people on Taiwan.

In 1979, President Carter signed into law the Taiwan Relations Act, which created domestic legal authority for the conduct of unofficial relations with Taiwan. U.S. commercial, cultural, and other interaction with the people on Taiwan is facilitated through the American Institute in Taiwan, a private nonprofit corporation. The Institute has its headquarters in the Washington, DC area and has offices in Taipei and Kaohsiung. It is authorized to issue visas, accept passport applications, and provide assistance to U.S. citizens in Taiwan. A counterpart organization, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States, has been established by the Taiwan authorities. It has its headquarters in Taipei, the representative branch office in Washington, DC, and 11 other Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices in the continental U.S. and Guam. The Taiwan Relations Act continues to provide the legal basis for relations between the U.S. and Taiwan, and enshrines the U.S. commitment to assisting Taiwan maintain its defensive capability.

Following de-recognition, the United States terminated its Mutual Defense Treaty with Taiwan. However, the United States has continued the sale of appropriate defensive military equipment to Taiwan in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act, which provides for such sales and which declares that peace and stability in the area are in U.S. interests. Sales of defensive military equipment are also consistent with the 1982 U.S.-China Joint Communiqué.

The United States position on Taiwan is reflected in the Three Communiqués and the Taiwan Relations Act. The U.S. insists on the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait differences and encourages dialogue to help advance such an outcome. The U.S. does not support Taiwan independence. President Bush stated on December 9, 2003 that the United States is opposed to any attempt by either side to unilaterally alter the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. While the United States welcomes recent exchanges that enhance channels of communication between leaders in Beijing and Taipei, the United States urges Beijing and Taipei to further advance cross-Strait cooperation and dialogue, including direct discussions between the authorities in Beijing and elected leaders in Taipei.

==Defense==
In proportion to its population, Taiwan still maintains a large military establishment. Defense expenditures accounted for 2.69 percent of GDP in 2007, and the 2008 central budget proposal increased defense expenditures to 3 percent of GDP. The military's primary mission is the defense of Taiwan against China, which is seen as the predominant threat and which has not renounced the use of force against Taiwan. Taiwan's armed forces were reduced as part of a reform initiative from 1997 to 2001, going from about 450,000 to 385,000, with further reductions since then bringing the total force level down to just under 300,000. Registered reservists reportedly totaled 3,870,000 in 1997. Conscription remains universal for qualified males between the ages of 18 and 30. In 2007 the length of conscription service was dropped from 16 to 14 months, with a view toward eventually creating an all-volunteer force. For qualified applicants, alternative service is available in police and fire departments and public clinics, as well as through teaching in some rural schools. Applicants with advanced degrees may qualify for National Defense Service, consisting of reserve officer training followed by four years of work in a government or academic research institution.

Taiwan's armed forces are equipped with weapons obtained primarily from the United States. In recent years, however, Taiwan also has procured some weapons from other Western nations and has stressed military "self-reliance," which has resulted in the growth of indigenous military production in certain fields. In 2007 Taiwan's legislature approved funding for certain defensive weapons systems the U.S. agreed to sell Taiwan in 2001 and earlier. These included the Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-2 upgrade) missile defense system, P-3C maritime patrol aircraft, and a preliminary study of diesel-electric submarines. These systems would give Taiwan key capabilities in missile defense and anti-submarine warfare to remedy vulnerabilities in countering the China's accelerated military modernization. Taiwan adheres to the principles of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and has stated that it does not intend to produce nuclear weapons.

==Economy==
Through over five decades of hard work and sound economic management, Taiwan has transformed itself from an underdeveloped, agricultural island to an economic power that is a leading producer of high-technology goods. In the 1960s, foreign investment in Taiwan helped introduce modern, labor-intensive technology to the island, and Taiwan became a major exporter of labor-intensive products. In the 1980s, focus shifted toward increasingly sophisticated, capital-intensive and technology-intensive products for export and toward developing the service sector. At the same time, the appreciation of the New Taiwan dollar, rising labor costs, and increasing environmental consciousness in Taiwan caused many labor-intensive industries, such as shoe manufacturing, to move to China and Southeast Asia. Taiwan has transformed itself from a recipient of U.S. aid in the 1950s and early 1960s to an aid donor and major foreign investor, especially in Asia. Taiwan is now a creditor economy, holding the world's fourth-largest stock of foreign exchange reserves ($273 billion as of 2007). Although Taiwan enjoyed sustained economic growth, full employment, and low inflation for many years, in 2001, Taiwan joined other regional economies in its first recession since 1949. The economy began to recover in 2002, but the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) slowed growth to 3.5 percent in 2003. The world economic upturn drove growth in 2004 to 6.2 percent. However, slower world growth in 2005, higher energy prices and interest rates, and excess inventory dragged 2005 growth to 4.2 percent. Continued expansion of exports pushed up Taiwan's economic growth to 5.7 percent in 2007.
*GDP (2007): $383 billion.
*Real annual growth rate (2007): 4.6 5.7 percent.
*Per capita GDP (2007): $16,790.
*Unemployment (2007) 3.9 percent.
*Natural resources: Small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, and asbestos.
*Agriculture (1.4 percent of GDP): Major products—pork, rice, fruit and vegetables, sugarcane, poultry, shrimp, eel.
*Services: (71.1 percent of GDP).
*Industry (27.5 percent of GDP): Types—electronics and flat panel products, chemicals and petrochemicals, basic metals, machinery, textiles, transport equipment, plastics, machinery.
*Trade (2007): Exports--$247 billion: electronics, optical and precision instruments, information and communications products, textile products, basic metals, plastic and rubber products. Major markets—U.S. $32 billion, China and Hong Kong $100 billion, Japan $16 billion. Imports--$219 billion: electronics, optical and precision instruments, information and communications products, machinery and electrical products, chemicals, basic metals, transport equipment, crude oil. Major suppliers—Japan $46 billion, China $30 billion, U.S. $27 billion.

====Foreign trade====
Foreign trade has been the engine of Taiwan's rapid growth during the past 50 years. Taiwan's economy remains export-oriented, so it depends on an open world trade regime and remains vulnerable to fluctuations in the world economy. The total value of trade increased more than five-fold in the 1960s, nearly ten-fold in the 1970s, doubled in the 1980s, and nearly doubled again in the 1990s. In the first half of this decade, exports grew 60 percent. Export composition changed from predominantly agricultural commodities to industrial goods (now 98 percent). The electronics sector is Taiwan's most important industrial export sector and is the largest recipient of U.S. investment. Taiwan became a member of the World Trade Organization as a special customs territory in January 2002.

Taiwan firms are the world's largest suppliers of computer monitors and leaders in PC manufacturing, although now much of the final assembly of these products occurs overseas, typically in China. Textile production continues to move to lower-cost locations overseas, but is still a major industrial export sector and employs nearly 190,000 people. Imports are dominated by raw materials and capital goods, which account for more than 90 percent of the total. Taiwan imports coal, oil and gas to meet most of its energy needs. Reflecting the large Taiwan investment in China, it supplanted the United States as Taiwan's largest trade partner in 2003. In 2007, China (including Hong Kong) accounted for over 28 percent of Taiwan's total trade and almost 41 percent of Taiwan's exports. Japan was Taiwan's second-largest trading partner with 13 percent of total trade, including 21 percent of Taiwan's imports. The U.S. is now Taiwan's third-largest trade partner, taking 12.6 percent of Taiwan's exports and supplying 12 percent of its imports. Taiwan is the United States' ninth-largest trading partner; Taiwan's two-way trade with the United States amounted to $61 billion in 2006 and rose 5.6 percent to $65 billion in 2007. Imports from the United States consist mostly of agricultural and industrial raw materials as well as machinery and equipment. Exports to the United States are mainly electronics and consumer goods. The United States, Hong Kong, China, and Japan account for 60.2 percent of Taiwan's exports, and the United States, Japan, and China provide almost 46.6 percent of Taiwan's imports. As Taiwan's per capita income level has risen, demand for imported, high-quality consumer goods has increased. The U.S. trade deficit with Taiwan in 2007 was $11.9 billion, down 21 percent from $15.2 billion in 2006. Even though Taiwan maintains formal diplomatic relations with about a score of its trading partners, Taiwan maintains trade offices in nearly 100 countries. Taiwan is a member of the Asian Development Bank, the WTO, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. Taiwan is also an observer at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. These developments reflect Taiwan's economic importance and its desire to become further integrated into the global economy.

====Agriculture====
Although only about one-quarter of Taiwan's land area is arable, virtually all farmland is intensely cultivated, with some areas suitable for two and even three crops a year. However, increases in agricultural production have been much slower than industrial growth. Agriculture only comprises about 1.4 percent of Taiwan's GDP. Taiwan's main crops are rice, sugarcane, fruit, and vegetables. While largely self-sufficient in rice production, Taiwan imports large amounts of wheat, corn, and soybeans, mostly from the United States. Poultry and pork production are mainstays of the livestock sector and the major demand drivers for imported corn and soybeans. Rising standards of living have led to increased demand for a wide variety of high-quality food products, much of it imported. Overall, U.S. agricultural and food products account for more than 30 percent of Taiwan's agricultural import demand. U.S. food and agricultural exports total about $2.5 billion annually, making Taiwan the United States' sixth-largest agricultural export destination. Taiwan's agricultural exports include frozen fish, aquaculture and sea products, canned and frozen vegetables, and grain products. Taiwan's imports of agricultural products have increased since its WTO accession in 2002, and it is slowly liberalizing previously protected agricultural markets.

==History==
Pre-historically, Taiwan's inhabitants consisted of various tribes believed to be of Malayo-Polonesian origin, who today only make up over 2 percent of the Taiwanese population (though most have mixed with other ethnic groups in recent times); this changed with the arrival of invaders from the Ming dynasty, who swiftly lost control of the island to Dutch explorers when they colonized the island in 1624. Two years later, the Spanish established a settlement on the northwest coast of Taiwan, which they occupied until 1642 when they were driven out by the Dutch. Dutch colonists administered the island and its predominantly Aboriginal population until 1661. The first major influx of migrants from mainland China came during the Dutch period, sparked by the political and economic chaos on the China coast during the Manchu invasion and the end of the Ming dynasty.

In 1664, a fleet led by the Ming loyalist Cheng Ch'eng-kung (Zheng Chenggong, known in the West as Koxinga) retreated from the mainland and occupied Taiwan. Cheng expelled the Dutch and established Taiwan as a base in his attempt to restore the Ming Dynasty. He died shortly thereafter, and in 1683, his successors submitted to Manchu (Qing dynasty) control. From 1680, the Qing Dynasty ruled Taiwan as a prefecture and, in 1875, divided the island into two prefectures, north and south. In 1887 the island was declared a Chinese province.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, migration from Fujian and Guangdong provinces steadily increased, and migrants from these two provinces supplanted aborigines as the dominant population group. In 1895, a weakened Imperial China ceded Taiwan to Japan in the Treaty of Shimonoseki following the first Sino-Japanese war.

During its 50 years (1895-1945) of rule, Japan expended considerable effort in developing Taiwan's economy. At the same time, Japanese rule led to the "Japanization" of the island, including compulsory Japanese education and requiring residents of Taiwan to adopt Japanese names.

At the end of World War II in 1945, Taiwan reverted to Chinese rule. During the immediate postwar period, the Nationalist Chinese (KMT) administration on Taiwan was repressive and corrupt, leading to local discontent. Anti-mainlander violence flared on February 28, 1947, prompted by an incident in which a cigarette seller was injured and a passerby was shot to death by Nationalist authorities. The island-wide rioting was brutally put down by Nationalist Chinese troops, who killed thousands of people. As a result of the February 28 Incident, the native Taiwanese felt a deep-seated bitterness toward the mainlanders. For 50 years the KMT authorities suppressed accounts of this episode in Taiwan history. In 1995 a monument was dedicated to the victims of the "2-28 Incident," and for the first time, Taiwan's leader, President Lee Teng-hui, publicly apologized for the Nationalists' brutality.

Starting before World War II and continuing afterwards, a civil war was fought in mainland China between Chiang Kai-shek's KMT government and the Chinese Communist Party led by Mao Zedong. When the civil war ended in 1949, 2 million refugees, predominately from the Nationalist government, military, and business community, fled to Taiwan. In October 1949 the People's Republic of China was founded in mainland China by the victorious communists. Chiang Kai-shek established a "provisional" KMT capital in Taipei in December 1949. During the 1950s, the KMT authorities implemented a far-reaching and highly successful land reform program on Taiwan. They redistributed land among small farmers and compensated large landowners with commodities certificates and stock in state-owned industries. Although this left some large landowners impoverished, others turned their compensation into capital and started commercial and industrial enterprises. These entrepreneurs were to become Taiwan's first industrial capitalists. Together with refugee businessmen from the mainland, they managed Taiwan's transition from an agricultural to a commercial, industrial economy.

Taiwan has developed steadily into a major international trading power with $466 billion in two-way trade (2007). Taiwan's accession to the World Trade Organization in 2002 has expanded its trade opportunities and further strengthened its standing in the global economy. Tremendous prosperity on the island has been accompanied by economic and social stability. Chiang Kai-shek's successor, his son Chiang Ching-kuo, began to liberalize Taiwan's political system, a process that continued when President Lee Teng-hui took office in 1988. The direct election of Lee Teng-hui as president in 1996 was followed by opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Chen Shui-bian's election victory in 2000. Chen was re-elected in 2004 in a tightly contested election. KMT's Ma Ying-jeou won the 2008 presidential election by a substantial majority and was inaugurated in 2008.

==Further reading==
* Taylor, Jay. ''The Generalissimo: Chiang Kai-shek and the Struggle for Modern China'' (2009), 722 pp. highly favorable scholarly biography
*[http://www.taiwan.gov.tw Taiwan: Republic of China]. Official site

==References==
<references/>

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[[Category:Islands]]
[[Category:Asian Countries]]
[[Category:Taiwan]]
[[Category:Buddhism]]

User:AntiChicomWarrior

2018-12-30T18:46:18Z

AntiChicomWarrior:

China

2018-12-30T18:45:10Z

AntiChicomWarrior:

{{Country
|name =People's Republic of China ''Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó'' 中华人民共和国
|map =China rel01.jpg
|map2 =China location.png
|flag =Flag_of_the_PRC.png‎
|arms =Arms of PR China.png
|capital =Beijing
|capital-raw =
|government =Communist
|government-raw =
|language =Chinese (Mandarin)
|king =
|queen =
|monarch-raw =
|president =Xi Jinping
|premier =Li Keqiang
|chancellor =
|chancellor-raw =
|pm =
|pm-raw =
|area =3,704,427 sq mi
|pop =1,336,000,000 (2011)
|pop-basis =
|gdp =
|gdp-year =$47.1564 trillion (2011)
|gdp-pc =$5,432 (2011)
|currency =Yuan
|idd =
|tld =
}}
'''China''' is the world's largest country by population, with a growing economy. With thousands of years of continuous traditions, in three decades it has dramatically changed itself from a poor backward nation to a world power, and is one of the world's top economies. It has emerged as a major regional power in East Asia, averaging over 9% economic growth per year since 1978 when it introduced a market-based economic system with some elements of capitalism, to replace its old socialism. Foreign businesses have flocked to invest in China, Americans and others rush to buy its cheap factory output, Chinese exports flooded the world. It has vast reserves of dollar holdings. China is modernizing its military, has joined numerous regional and international institutions, and plays an increasingly visible role in international politics. However, the paper statistics of China's growth hide the fact that it may have a weaker economy than it admits, as seen in the many "ghost towns", among other factors.<ref>Fong, Dominique (June 15, 2018). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-ghost-towns-haunt-its-economy-1529076819 China’s Ghost Towns Haunt Its Economy]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved June 15, 2018.</ref>

The nation is under control from the [[Chinese Communist Party]], which encompasses mainland China, albeit with many border disputes. The Beijing claims [[Taiwan]] as a province, but the Taipei maintains its sovereignty. [[Hong Kong]] was transferred back to Chinese control by the [[United Kingdom]] in 1997, and [[Macau]] was handed over by [[Portugal]] in 1999. Both territories are now [[Special Administrative Region]]s and have autonomy over local affairs. However, the autonomy has been eroded in recent years, particularly after 2014 "Umbrella Revolution". Since the 1950s China has increasingly asserted brutal control over [[Tibet]].

Since China's accession to the [[World Trade Organization]] (WTO) in 2001, China represents a vast market that is growing more affluent and sophisticated while remaining a low-cost base for export-oriented production. Educationally, China is forging ahead as partnerships, and exchanges with foreign universities have helped create new research opportunities for its students. China used the Summer Olympics in 2008 as a platform of propagating the so-called "economic development" to the world, while it is still a Communist country in its core of the past two decades since the 1989 Tiananmen Massacre. The new leadership is committed to generating greater economic development in the interior and providing more services to those who do not live in China's coastal areas. However, China is never a true market economy, as the key resources, such as land, is not privately owned; the so-called collective ownership is still de facto government ownership. Moreover, on the Communist Regime's Constitution, Mainland China is still officially a Communist Country. In 2015, the Communist-controlled Mainland China (or self-proclaimed People's Republic) has been denied as a market economy.

For more information on China, see [[World History Lecture Three]].

==Name==
{{language box
|s=中国
|t=中國
|l=central nation
|p=Zhōngguó
|w=Chung1-kuo2
}}
The word "China" is derived from the [[Persian language|Persian]] word ''Cin'' (چین), which is from the [[Sanskrit]] word ''Cīna'' (चीन).<ref name="AmHer">"[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/China?qsrc=2888 China]". ''The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language'' (2000). Boston and New York: Houghton-Mifflin.</ref> It is first recorded in 1516 in the journal of the Portuguese explorer [[Duarte Barbosa]].<ref>"China". ''Oxford English Dictionary'' (1989). ISBN 0-19-957315-8. ''[https://books.google.com.vn/books?id=edzW9fuOF-cC&pg=PA211&dq=#v=onepage&q=%22Very%20Great%20Kingdom%20of%20China%22&f=false The Book of Duarte Barbosa]'' (chapter title "The Very Great Kingdom of China"). ISBN 81-206-0451-2. In the [http://purl.pt/435/ Portuguese original], the chapter is titled "O Grande Reino da China".</ref> The journal was translated and published in England in 1555.<ref>Eden, Richard (1555). ''Decades of the New World'': {{cite book | title=Western Views of China and the Far East, Volume 1 | publisher=Asian Research Service | year=1984 | page=34 |first=Henry Allen |last=Myers}}</ref> The traditional theory, proposed in the 17th century by Martino Martini, is that ''Cīna'' is derived from "Qin" (秦), the westernmost of the Chinese kingdoms during the [[Zhou Dynasty]].<ref name="Martini">Martino, Martin, ''Novus Atlas Sinensis'', Vienna 1655, Preface, p. 2.</ref> However, the word was used earlier in [[Hindu]] scripture, including the ''Mahābhārata'' (5th century BC) and the ''Laws of Manu'' (2nd century BC). Indian writers were not aware of China until the second century AD. Earlier usage of the word presumably refers to another entity, perhaps a country near the Tibetan-Burma border.<ref>See Liu, Lydia He, ''The Clash of Empires'', p. 77 Wade, Geoff. "[http://www.sino-platonic.org/complete/spp188_yelang_china.pdf The Polity of Yelang and the Origin of the Name 'China']". ''[[Sino-Platonic Papers]]'', No. 188, May 2009, p. 20.</ref>

==People==
===Ethnic Groups===
[[File:Chinese people.jpg|right|250px]]
China officially recognizes 56 distinct ethnic groups. The largest ethnic group is the Han Chinese, who constitute about 91.9% of the total population. The remaining 8.1% are Zhuang (16 million), Manchu (10 million), Hui (9 million), Miao (8 million), [[Uighur]] (7 million), Yi (7 million), Mongolian (5 million), Tibetan (5 million), Buyi (3 million), Korean (2 million), and other ethnic minorities.

In July 2009 large scale rioting erupted as the [[Uighur]] minority fought Chinese riot police in major cities in China's western Xinjiang province. Hundreds are dead.<ref>See [https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/07/world/asia/07kadeer.html?ref=world Wrik Eckholm, "China Points to Another Leader in Exile," ''New York Times'' July 6, 2009]</ref> Uighurs are angry at political, cultural and religious persecution as well as the growing presence in the region of Han Chinese - China's main ethnic group. Han now predominate in the cities, and Uighurs in the countryside. This is the first major violent unrest in China in two decades.

===Language===
[[File:China Ethnic language.jpg|thumb|left|Chinese Ethnolinguistic Groups.]]
There are seven major Chinese dialects and many subdialects. [[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]] (or Putonghua), the predominant dialect, is spoken by over 70% of the population. It is taught in all schools and is the medium of government. About two-thirds of the Han ethnic group are native speakers of Mandarin; the rest, concentrated in south and southeast China, speak one of the six other major Chinese dialects. Non-Chinese languages spoken widely by ethnic minorities include Mongolian, Tibetan, Uyghur and other Turkic languages (in Xinjiang), and Korean (in the northeast).

All Chinese dialects use the same written character sets. In mainland China, the [[Simplified Chinese|Simplified]] characters have been in use since 1949.

====The Pinyin System of Romanization====
On January 1, 1979, the Chinese Government officially adopted the [[Hanyu pinyin|pinyin]] system for spelling Chinese names and places in Roman letters. A system of Romanization invented by the Chinese, pinyin has long been widely used in China on street and commercial signs as well as in elementary Chinese textbooks as an aid in learning Chinese characters and for common character input systems. Variations of pinyin also are used as the written forms of several minority languages.

Pinyin has now replaced other conventional spellings in China's English-language publications. The U.S. Government also has adopted the pinyin system for all names and places in China. For example, the capital of China is now spelled "Beijing" rather than "Peking."

In 2008 the Republic of China government finally adopted the pinyin system, replaces the [[Wade-Giles]] system which is gradually pushed away by the Chinese diaspora.

==Religion==

A February 2007 survey concluded that 31% of Chinese citizens ages 16 and over, representing 300 million persons, follow some kind of religion.<ref>This is approximately three times the official figure reported by the Government in April 2005.See [http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108404.htm U.S. State Department "International Religious Freedom Report 2008"]</ref>

There are reportedly more than 100,000 officially recognized sites for religious activities, 300,000 officially recognized clergy, and more than 3,000 officially recognized religious organizations.
[[File:China B.jpg|left|280px]]
The Government officially recognizes five main religions: [[Buddhism]], [[Taoism]], [[Islam]], [[Catholicism]], and [[Protestantism]]. There are five state-sanctioned "Patriotic Religious Associations" (PRAs) that manage the activities of the recognized faiths. The Russian Orthodox Church operates in some regions, particularly those with large populations of Russian expatriates or with close links to Russia. Foreign residents in the country who belonged to religious faiths not officially recognized by the Government were generally permitted to practice their religions. There is very little freedom for Christians however.<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-25502760</ref>

It is difficult to estimate the number of Buddhists and Taoists, because they do not have congregational memberships and many practice exclusively at home.

The Government estimated that there are 16,000 Buddhist temples and monasteries, 200,000 Buddhist monks and nuns, more than 1,700 reincarnate lamas, and 32 Buddhist schools. Most believers, particularly ethnic Han Buddhists, practice Mahayana Buddhism, while the majority of Tibetans and ethnic Mongolians, as well as a growing number of ethnic Chinese, practice Tibetan Buddhism, a Mahayana adaptation. Some ethnic minorities in southwest Yunnan Province practice Theravada Buddhism, the dominant tradition in parts of neighboring Southeast Asia.

There are more than 25,000 Taoist priests and nuns, more than 1,500 Taoist temples, and 2 Taoist schools. Traditional folk religions (worship of local gods, heroes, and ancestors) are practiced by hundreds of millions of citizens and are often affiliated with Taoism, Buddhism, or ethnic minority cultural practices.

The government says there are twenty million Muslims. Independent estimates range as high as fifty million or more. There are more than 40,000 Islamic places of worship (more than half of which are in the XUAR), more than 45,000 imams nationwide, and 10 Islamic schools. The country has ten predominantly Muslim ethnic groups, the largest of which is the Hui, estimated to number more than ten million. The Hui are centered in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, but there are significant concentrations of Hui throughout the country, including in Gansu, Henan, Qinghai, Yunnan, and Hebei Provinces, as well as in the TAR and the XUAR. Hui Muslims slightly outnumber Uighur Muslims, who live primarily in the XUAR. According to an official 2005 report, the XUAR had 23,900 mosques and 27,000 clerics at the end of 2004, but fewer than half of the mosques were authorized to hold Friday prayer and holiday services. The country also has more than one million Kazakh Muslims and thousands of Dongxiang, Kyrgyz, Salar, Tajik, Uzbek, Baoan, and Tatar Muslims.

Officials from the Three-Self Patriotic Movement/China Christian Council (TSPM/CCC), the government branch (committee) in charge of the Christianity Churches (officially led by the CPC), estimated that at least twenty million citizens worship in official churches. Government officials stated that there are more than 50,000 registered TSPM churches and 18 TSPM theological schools. The Pew Research Center estimates that between 50 million and 70 million Christians practice without state sanction. However, some estimates over 100million people are Christians. The World Christian Database estimates that there are more than 300 unofficial house church networks.

The Catholic Patriotic Association (CPA) reports that 5.3 million persons worship in its churches and it is estimated that there are an additional 12 million or more persons who worship in unregistered Catholic churches that do not affiliate with the CPA. According to official sources, the government-sanctioned CPA has more than 70 bishops, nearly 3,000 priests and nuns, 6,000 churches and meeting places, and 12 seminaries. There are thought to be approximately 40 bishops operating "underground," some of whom are in prison or under house arrest. During the reporting period, at least three bishops were ordained with papal approval. In September 2007 the official media reported that Liu Bainian, CPA vice president, stated that the young bishops were to be selected to serve dioceses without bishops and to replace older bishops. Of the 97 dioceses in the country, 40 reportedly did not have an acting bishop in 2007, and more than 30 bishops were over 80 years of age.
===Religious discrimination===

''See also:'' [[China and atheism]] and [[Communism and religious persecution]] and [[Persecution of Christians in the People's Republic of China]]

The Government restricts legal religious practice to government-sanctioned organizations and registered religious groups and places of worship, and seeks to control the growth and scope of the activity of both registered and unregistered religious groups, including "house churches." Government authorities limit proselytism, particularly by foreigners and unregistered religious groups, but permit proselytism in state-approved religious venues and private settings. The Chinese government explicitly prohibits students and civil servants from participating in certain religious practices, even when not in school or at work.<ref>[https://news.yahoo.com/china-bans-ramadan-fast-muslim-northwest-103756197.html Didi Tang "China bans Ramadan fast in Muslim northwest." July 3, 2014. Associated Press.]</ref>
[[File:Great Mosque Xi an China.jpg|thumb|330px|Great Mosque of Xi'an.]]
In 2008, the Government's repression of religious freedom intensified in some areas, including in Tibetan areas and in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR). Unregistered Protestant religious groups in Beijing reported intensified harassment from government authorities in the lead up to the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. Media and China-based sources reported that municipal authorities in Beijing closed some house churches or asked them to stop meeting during the 2008 Summer Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. During the reporting period, officials detained and interrogated several foreigners about their religious activities and in several cases alleged that the foreigners had engaged in "illegal religious activities" (alleged) and canceled their visas. Media reported that the total number of expatriates expelled by the Government due to concerns about their religious activities exceeded one hundred. Officials in the XUAR, the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), and other Tibetan areas tightly controlled religious activity. The Government sought the forcible return of several Uighur Muslims living abroad, some of whom had reportedly protested restrictions on the Hajj and encouraged other Muslims to pray and fast during Ramadan. Followers of Tibetan Buddhism, including those in the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region and most Tibetan autonomous areas, faced more restrictions on their religious practice and ability to organize than Buddhists in other parts of the country. "Patriotic education" campaigns in the TAR and other Tibetan regions, which required monks and nuns to sign statements personally denouncing the Dalai Lama, and other new restrictions on religious freedom were major factors that led monks and nuns to mount peaceful protests at a number of monasteries on March 10, 2008. The protests and subsequent security response gave way to violence in Lhasa by March 14 and 15.
Moreover, Christians, including the Catholic, Protestant Christians, are facing societal hostility generated by the government, and the Christians are facing difficulties when comes to the decision of ascension in the governmental (regime) enterprises and will be arrested if evangelizing on governmental schools' campus (public schools, but with heavy involvement from the Communist party branches).

"Underground" Roman Catholic clergy faced repression, in large part due to their avowed loyalty to the Vatican, which the Government accused of interfering in the country's internal affairs. The Government continued to repress groups that it designated as "cults," most of which included several Christian groups and Falun Gong.

Religious and ethnic minority groups such as Tibetan Buddhists and Uighur Muslims experienced societal discrimination not only because of their religious beliefs but also because of their status as ethnic minorities with distinct languages and cultures. After the March 2008 protests in Lhasa and other Tibetan areas there were reports of increased tensions between Tibetan Buddhists and Hui Muslims.

The [[Falun Gong]] is a self-described spiritual movement that blends aspects of Taoism, Buddhism, and the meditation techniques and physical exercises of qigong (a traditional Chinese exercise discipline), with the teachings of Falun Gong leader Li Hongzhi. There are estimated to have been at least 2.1 million adherents of Falun Gong before the Government cleansed and persecute the group in 1999. Hundreds of thousands may practice Falun Gong privately, but with serious risks, and once discovered by the government agents, the practitioners will be jailed, losing jobs, and may not even attend the universities. Moreover, the practitioners will risk the risk of having their organs live-harvested by the Communist government.<ref>https://www.theepochtimes.com/new-documentary-secret-audio-recordings-of-politburo-standing-committee-members-reveal-vast-state-run-enterprise-of-live-organ-harvesting_2263247.html</ref>

==Population Policy==
[[Image:China Mex RGarciaOrtiz.jpg|right|Chinese at Mexico]]
{{main|One-child Policy}}

With a population officially just over 1.3 billion and an estimated growth rate of about 0.6%, China is very concerned about its population growth and has attempted with mixed results to implement a strict birth limitation policy. Until 2013 the government permitted one child per family, with allowance for a second child under certain circumstances (such as twins), especially in rural areas, and with guidelines looser for ethnic minorities with small populations. Enforcement varies, and relies largely on "social compensation fees" to discourage extra births. Official government policy opposed forced [[abortion]] or sterilization, but in some localities there were instances of forced [[abortion]]. The government's goal was to stabilize the population in the first half of the 21st century, and current projections are that the population would peak at around 1.6 billion by 2050. Boys are highly prized, and because screening of fetuses is done to determine gender, selective abortion has resulted in 119 boys born for every 100 girls. By 2020, 24 million men of marrying age will find themselves without wives.

2013 the government eased the One-child Policy strongly. Since then families in which at least one parent was an only child can have a second child now.<ref>http://cnsnews.com/news/article/china-ease-1-child-policy-abolish-labor-camps</ref>

==Government==
The People's Republic of China is an totalitarian/authoritarian regime in which the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) constitutionally is the base structure and source of power. Moreover, the society has been forced to run according to the motive of the Communist Party in the past decades, although not successful. Party members hold almost all top government, police, and military positions. Ultimate authority rests with the 25-member political bureau (Politburo) of the CCP and its nine-member standing committee. '''[[Xi Jinping]]''' holds the three most powerful positions as CCP general secretary, president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission. Civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces.

===Chinese Communist Party===
The 71 million member CCP, totalitarian in structure and ideology, continues to dominate government. Nevertheless, China's population, geographical vastness, and social diversity frustrate attempts to rule by fiat from Beijing. Core leaders are attempting to adopt several changes in order to support its own greed in power as a totalitarian state.

In periods of greater openness, the influence of people and organizations outside the formal party structure has tended to increase, particularly in the economic realm. This phenomenon is most apparent today in the rapidly developing coastal region. Nevertheless, in all important government, economic, and cultural institutions in China, party committees work to see that party and state policy guidance is followed and that non-party members do not create autonomous organizations that could challenge party rule. Party control is tight- although not being felt directly.

Theoretically, the party's highest body is the Party Congress, which traditionally meets at least once every 5 years. The 17th Party Congress is expected to take place in the fall of 2007. The primary organs of power in the Communist Party include:
*The Politburo Standing Committee, which currently consists of nine members (one seat is vacant following the June 2, 2007 death of Huang Ju);
*The Politburo, consisting of 24 full members, including the members of the Politburo Standing Committee;
*The Secretariat, the principal administrative mechanism of the CCP, headed by the General Secretary;
*The Central Military Commission;
*The Discipline Inspection Commission, which is charged with rooting out corruption and malfeasance among party cadres.
===State Structure===
[[File:Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square in Beijing China.jpg|thumb|left|340px|In front of the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square in Beijing.]]
The Chinese Government is constructed around the Chinese Communist Party (CCP); its role is to implement party policies. The primary organs of state power are the National People's Congress (NPC), the President (the head of state), and the State Council. Members of the State Council include Premier Li Keqiang (the head of government), a variable number of vice premiers (now four), five state councilors (protocol equivalents of vice premiers but with narrower portfolios), and 22 ministers and four State Council commission directors.

Under the Communist constitution, the NPC is the highest organ of political power in Mainland China. It meets annually for about 2 weeks to review and approve major new policy directions, laws, the budget, and major personnel changes. These initiatives are presented to the NPC for consideration by the State Council after previous endorsement by the Communist Party's Central Committee. Although the NPC generally approves State Council policy and personnel recommendations, various NPC committees hold active debate in closed sessions, and changes may be made to accommodate alternate views.

When the NPC is not in session, its permanent organ, the Standing Committee, exercises state power.

{{Clear}}

===Principal Government and Party Officials===
(After Oct. 2017)
*President—Xi Jinping
*Vice President—
*Premier, State Council—Li Keqiang
*NPC Chair—Wu Bangguo
*Vice Premier—Zhang Gaoli
*Politburo Standing Committee—Xi Jinping (General Secretary), Li Keqiang, Wang Yang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng
*Other Politburo Members— Ding Xuexiang, Wang Chen, Liu He, Xu Qiliang, Sun Chunlan (Arrested), Li Xi, Li Qiang, Li Hongzhong, Yang Jiechi, Zhang Youxia, Chen xi, Chen Quanguo, Zhao Leji, Guo Shengkun, Huang Kunming, Cai Qi.(alternate)
*Alternate Politburo Members—Wang Gang
*Chairman, Central Military Commission—Xi Jinping
*Foreign Minister—Yang Jiechi
*Minister of Commerce—Zhong Shan
*Minister of Finance—Jin Renqing
*Minister of Agriculture—
*Minister of Industry and Digitalization —Wang Xudong
*Governor, People's Bank of China—Zhou Xiaochuan
*Minister, State Development and Reform Commission—Ma Kai
*Ambassador to U.S.--Zhou Wenzhong
*Ambassador to UN—Wang Guangya

===Foreign Relations===
[[Image:Chinese painting.jpg|thumb|Chinese painting.]]
Since its establishment, the Communist Party is doing all it can to lure countries to stand and advocate for its position that it is the sole legitimate government of all China, including Hong Kong, Macau, and [[Taiwan]]. In the early 1970s, Beijing was recognized diplomatically by most world powers. [[Beijing]] (Pekin) assumed the China seat in the [[United Nations]] in 1971 and has since become increasingly active in multilateral organizations. Japan established diplomatic relations with China in 1972, and the United States did so in 1979. As of July 2007, the number of countries that have diplomatic relations with Beijing had risen to 167, while 24 maintained diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

After the founding of the P.R.C., China's foreign policy initially focused on solidarity with the Soviet Union and other communist countries. In 1950, the Mainland Communist Regime sent the People's Liberation Army into North Korea to help North Korea halt the UN offensive that was approaching the Yalu River. After the conclusion of the Korean conflict, China sought to balance its identification as a member of the Soviet bloc by establishing friendly relations with Pakistan and other Third World countries, particularly in Southeast Asia.

In the 1960s, Beijing competed with Moscow for political influence among communist parties and in the developing world generally. Following the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia and clashes in 1969 on the Sino-Soviet border, Chinese competition with the Soviet Union increasingly reflected concern over China's own strategic position.

In late 1978, the Chinese also became concerned over Vietnam's efforts to establish open control over Laos and Cambodia, though it is because of Cambodian's brutality led to invasion. In response to the Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia, China fought a brief border war with Vietnam (February–March 1979) with the stated purpose of "teaching Vietnam a lesson."

Chinese anxiety about Soviet strategic advances was heightened following the Soviet Union's December 1979 invasion of Afghanistan. Sharp differences between China and the Soviet Union persisted over Soviet support for Vietnam's continued occupation of Cambodia, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and Soviet troops along the Sino-Soviet border and in Mongolia—the so-called "three obstacles" to improved Sino-Soviet relations.

In the 1970s and 1980s China sought to create a secure regional and global environment for itself and to foster good relations with countries that could aid its economic development. To this end, China looked to the West for assistance with its modernization drive and for help in countering Soviet expansionism, which it characterized as the greatest threat to its national security and to world peace.
[[File:Map South Asia.jpg|left|400px]]
China maintained its consistent opposition to "superpower hegemony," focusing almost exclusively on the expansionist actions of the Soviet Union and Soviet proxies such as Vietnam and Cuba, but it also placed growing emphasis on a foreign policy independent of both the U.S. and the Soviet Union. While improving ties with the West, China continued to follow closely economic and other positions of the Third World nonaligned movement, although China was not a formal member.

In the immediate aftermath of Tiananmen crackdown in June 1989, many countries reduced their diplomatic contacts with China as well as their economic assistance programs. In response, China worked vigorously to expand its relations with foreign countries, and by late 1990, had reestablished normal relations with almost all nations. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in late 1991, China also opened diplomatic relations with the republics of the former Soviet Union.

In recent years, Chinese leaders have been regular travelers to all parts of the globe, and China has sought a higher profile in the UN through its permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council and other multilateral organizations. Closer to home, China has made efforts to reduce tensions in Asia, hosting the Six-Party Talks on North Korea's nuclear weapons program, cultivating a more cooperative relationship with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and participating in the ASEAN Regional Forum. China has also taken steps to improve relations with countries in South Asia, including India. Following Premier Wen's 2005 visit to India, the two sides moved to increase commercial and cultural ties, as well as to resolve longstanding border disputes. The November 2006 visit of President Hu was the first state visit by a Chinese head of state to India in 10 years.

China has likewise improved ties with Russia, with Presidents Putin and Hu exchanging visits to Beijing and Moscow in April 2006 and March 2007. A second round of Russia-China joint military exercises is scheduled for fall 2007. China has played a prominent role in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a regional grouping that includes Russia and the Central Asian nations of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Beijing has resolved many of its border and maritime disputes, notably including a November 1997 agreement with Russia that resolved almost all outstanding border issues and a 2000 agreement with Vietnam to resolve differences over their maritime border, though disagreements remain over islands in the South China Sea. Relations with Japan improved following Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's October 2006 visit to Beijing, although longstanding and emotionally charged disputes over history and competing claims to portions of the East China Sea remain sources of tension.

While in many ways Sudan's primary diplomatic patron, China has played a constructive role in support of peacekeeping operations in Southern Sudan and pledged to contribute an engineering unit in support of UN operations in Darfur. China has stated publicly that it shares the international community's concern over Iran's nuclear program and has voted in support of UN sanctions resolutions on Iran. Set against this has been an effort on the part of China to maintain close ties to countries such as Iran, Sudan, Zimbabwe, and Venezuela, which are sources of oil and other resources and which welcome China's non-conditional assistance and investment.

==Political Conditions==
===Legal System===
The government's efforts to promote rule of law appeared to be advancing, but impossible under the political structure constructed around the Communist Party. After the Cultural Revolution, China's leaders aimed to develop a legal system to restrain abuses of official authority and revolutionary excesses. In 1982, the Communist's National People's Congress adopted a new state constitution that emphasized the rule of law under which even party leaders are theoretically held accountable.

Since 1979, when the drive to establish a functioning legal system began, more than 300 laws and regulations, most of them in the economic area, have been promulgated. The use of mediation committees—informed groups of citizens who resolve about 90% of China's civil disputes and some minor criminal cases at no cost to the parties—is one innovative device. There are more than 800,000 such committees in both rural and urban areas.

Legal reform became a government priority in the 1990s. Legislation designed to modernize and professionalize the nation's lawyers, judges, and prisons was enacted. The 1994 Administrative Procedure Law allows citizens to sue officials for abuse of authority or malfeasance. In addition, the criminal law and the criminal procedures laws were amended to introduce significant reforms. The criminal law amendments abolished the crime of "counter-revolutionary" activity, although many persons are still incarcerated for that crime. Criminal procedures reforms also encouraged establishment of a more transparent, adversarial trial process. The Chinese constitution and laws provide for fundamental human rights, including due process, but these are often ignored in practice. In addition to other judicial reforms, the Constitution was amended in 2004 to include the protection of individual human rights and legally-obtained private property, but it is unclear how those provisions will be implemented. Although new criminal and civil laws have provided additional safeguards to citizens, previously debated political reforms, including expanding elections to the township level, and other legal reforms, including the reform of the reeducation through labor system, have been put on hold. However, it is still impossible for certain groups to defend themselves as the legal system is constructed around the Communist Party.

==Military==
Establishment of a professional military force equipped with modern weapons and doctrine was the last of the "Four Modernizations" announced by Zhou Enlai and supported by Deng Xiaoping. In keeping with Deng's mandate to reform, the People's Liberation Army (PLA), which includes the strategic nuclear forces, army, navy, and air force, has demobilized millions of men and women since 1978 and introduced modern methods in such areas as recruitment and manpower, strategy, and education and training.
[[File:China military.jpg|left]]
Following the June 1989 Tiananmen crackdown, ideological correctness was temporarily revived as the dominant theme in Chinese military affairs. Reform and modernization appear to have since resumed their position as the PLA's priority objectives.

The Chinese military is in the process of transforming itself from a land-based power, centered on a vast ground force, to a smaller, mobile, high-tech military eventually capable of mounting limited operations beyond its coastal borders.

China's power-projection capability is limited but has grown over recent years. China has acquired some advanced weapons systems from abroad, including Sovremmeny destroyers, SU-27 and SU-30 aircraft, and Kilo-class diesel submarines from Russia, and continued to develop domestic production capabilities, such as for the domestically-developed J-10 fighter aircraft. However, much of its air and naval forces continues to be based on 1960s-era technology. As the Defense Department's Quadrennial Defense Review, released February 2006, noted, the U.S. shares with other countries a concern about the pace, scope, and direction of China's military modernization. We view military exchanges, visits, and other forms of engagement are useful tools in promoting transparency, provided they have substance and are fully reciprocal. Regularized exchanges and contact also have the significant benefit of building confidence, reducing the possibility of accidents, and providing the lines of communication that are essential in ensuring that episodes such as the April 2001 EP-3 aircraft incident do not escalate into major crises. During their April 2006 meeting, President Bush and President Hu agreed to increase officer exchanges and to begin a strategic nuclear dialogue between STRATCOM and the Chinese military's strategic missile command. U.S. and Chinese militaries are also considering ways in which we might cooperate on disaster assistance relief. However, it should be remembered that the Military is still under the Party's control. It is not to be equated with the European and American Armed forces.

===Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control Policy ===
In 1955, Mao Zedong's Chinese Communist Party decided to proceed with a nuclear weapons program; it was developed with Soviet assistance until 1960. After its first nuclear test in October 1964, Beijing deployed a modest but potent ballistic missile force, including land- and sea-based intermediate-range and intercontinental ballistic missiles.

China became a major international arms exporter during the 1980s. Beijing joined the Middle East arms control talks, which began in July 1991 to establish global guidelines for conventional arms transfers, but announced in September 1992 that it would no longer participate because of the U.S. decision to sell F-16A/B aircraft to Taiwan.

China was the first state to pledge "no first use" of nuclear weapons. It joined the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 1984 and pledged to abstain from further atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons in 1986. China acceded to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in 1992 and supported its indefinite and unconditional extension in 1995. In 1996, it signed the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and agreed to seek an international ban on the production of fissile nuclear weapons material. To date, China has not ratified the CTBT.

In 1996, China committed not to provide assistance to un-safeguarded nuclear facilities. China became a full member of the NPT Exporters (Zangger) Committee, a group that determines items subject to IAEA inspections if exported by NPT signatories. In September 1997, China issued detailed nuclear export control regulations. China began implementing regulations establishing controls over nuclear-related dual-use items in 1998. China also has committed not to engage in new nuclear cooperation with Iran (even under safeguards), and will complete existing cooperation, which is not of [[proliferation]] concern, within a relatively short period. In May 2004, with the support of the United States, China became a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

Based on significant, tangible progress with China on nuclear nonproliferation, President Clinton in 1998 took steps to bring into force the 1985 U.S.-China Agreement on Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation.

===Missiles===
Although it is not a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), the multinational effort to restrict the proliferation of missiles, in March 1992 China undertook to abide by MTCR guidelines and parameters. China reaffirmed this commitment in 1994, and pledged not to transfer MTCR-class ground-to-ground missiles. In November 2000, China committed not to assist in any way the development by other countries of MTCR-class missiles. However, in August 29, 2003, the U.S. Government imposed missile proliferation sanctions lasting two years on the Chinese company China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) after determining that it was knowingly involved in the transfer of equipment and technology controlled under Category II of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) Annex that contributed to MTCR-class missiles in a non-MTCR country.

In December 2003, the P.R.C. promulgated comprehensive new export control regulations governing exports of all categories of sensitive technologies.

==Economy ==
China's economy, based on rice and wheat farming, was generally prosperous until the 18th century. Population pressures, and failure to adopt new technology led to an impoverished nation by 1900.

After Mao's death the policy of modernization along Western lines has led to a remarkable rate of economic growth in the industrial cities, which have pulled in millions of peasants from the still poor rural areas. Slack environmental standards have led to serious pollution problems.

The modern Chinese economy has benefited from investments from Taiwan and Hong Kong. They jumped far ahead of China by 1970 in terms of technology, and in recent years have invested in mainland industries.

These two factors have changed Chinese economy, from a command economy to a more socialist state, with the Chinese economy increasingly in the hands of privately owned businesses, not state- or military-run enterprises. However, after several years the trend reversed, as it is in the start that those who are related to the political power are treated differently than the rest of the enterprises.
[[File:National Stadium, Beijing.jpg|thumb|250px|National Stadium, Beijing.]]
Since 1980 China has enjoyed the highest economic growth rates in the world. Suddenly in mid-2008, the growth rate slowed sharply from 11% a year to only 5.5%. Much of the economy was geared to exports, and building factories for exports to the United States and Japan. When the [[Financial Crisis of 2008]] hit, exports fell off and prices for industrial products like steel fell in half. Many factories were shut down. The decline has especially hit steel, cement and the construction industry. The government in November 2008 announced a $586 billion stimulus program to build roads, dams, electric grids and other infrastructure projects that are designed to supplement the international market.<ref>David Barboza, "Great Engine of China Slows ," [https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/26/business/worldbusiness/26chinasteel.html?_r=1 ''New York Times'' Nov. 25, 2008]</ref>

Since 1979, China has largely rejected socialism and embraced capitalism, while maintaining Communist party rule. Private ownership of the means of production has dramatically reduced poverty and increased wealth, especially in the cities but also in rural areas. Nationally the GDP (in 2007 prices) has exploded from 2 trillion yuan in 1980 to 25 trillion in 2007.

As late as 1980 60% of the people in rural China lives in poverty; by 2007 fewer than 5% did. Grain production has grown 300 to 500 tons per person, and rural income per person has soared from a few hundred yuan in 1980 to over 4000.<ref>See ''Economist'' Dec. 13, 2008</ref>

The reforms reformed and opened its economy. The Chinese leadership has adopted a more pragmatic perspective on many political and socioeconomic problems, and has reduced the role of ideology in economic policy. China's ongoing economic transformation has had a profound impact not only on China but on the world. The market-oriented reforms China has implemented over the past two decades have unleashed individual initiative and entrepreneurship. The result has been the largest reduction of poverty and one of the fastest increases in income levels ever seen. China today is the fourth-largest economy in the world. It has sustained average economic growth of over 9.5% for the past 26 years. In 2006 its $2.76 trillion economy was about one-fifth the size of the U.S. economy.

In the 1980s, China tried to combine central planning with market-oriented reforms to increase productivity, living standards, and technological quality without exacerbating inflation, unemployment, and budget deficits. China pursued agricultural reforms, dismantling the commune system and introducing a household-based system that provided peasants greater decision-making in agricultural activities. The government also encouraged nonagricultural activities such as village enterprises in rural areas, and promoted more self-management for state-owned enterprises, increased competition in the marketplace, and facilitated direct contact between Chinese and foreign trading enterprises. China also relied more upon foreign financing and imports.

During the 1980s, these reforms led to average annual rates of growth of 10% in agricultural and industrial output. Rural per capita real income doubled. China became self-sufficient in grain production; rural industries accounted for 23% of agricultural output, helping absorb surplus labor in the countryside. The variety of light industrial and consumer goods increased. Reforms began in the fiscal, financial, banking, price-setting, and labor systems.

By the late 1980s, however, the economy had become overheated with increasing rates of inflation. At the end of 1988, in reaction to a surge of inflation caused by accelerated price reforms, the leadership introduced an austerity program.
[[File:Shanghai China CIA.jpg|thumb|left|280px|The Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai overlooks the Huangpu River.]]
China's economy regained momentum in the early 1990s. During a visit to southern China in early 1992, China's paramount leader at the time, Deng Xiaoping, made a series of political pronouncements designed to reinvigorate the process of economic reform. The 14th Party Congress later in the year backed Deng's renewed push for market reforms, stating that China's key task in the 1990s was to create a "socialist market economy." The 10-year development plan for the 1990s stressed continuity in the political system with bolder reform of the economic system.

China's economy grew at an average rate of 10% per year during the period 1990-2004, the highest growth rate in the world. China's gross domestic product (GDP) grew 10.0% in 2003, and even faster, 10.1%, in 2004, and 9.9% in 2005 despite attempts by the government to cool the economy. China's total trade in 2006 surpassed $1.76 trillion, making China the world's third-largest trading nation after the U.S. and Germany. Such high growth is necessary if China is to generate the 15 million jobs needed annually—roughly the size of Ecuador or Cambodia—to employ new entrants into the job market.

Nevertheless, serious imbalances exist behind the spectacular trade performance, high investment flows, and high GDP growth. High numbers of non-performing loans weigh down the state-run banking system. Inefficient state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are still a drag on growth, despite announced efforts to sell, merge, or close the vast majority of SOEs.

Social and economic indicators have improved since reforms were launched, but rising inequality is evident between the more highly developed coastal provinces and the less developed, poorer inland regions. According to World Bank estimates, more than 152 million people in China in 2003—mostly in rural areas of the lagging inland provinces—still live in poverty, on consumption of less than U.S. $1 a day.

Following the Chinese Communist Party's Third Plenum, held in October 2003, Chinese legislators unveiled several proposed amendments to the state constitution. One of the most significant was a proposal to provide protection for private property rights. Legislators also indicated there would be a new emphasis on certain aspects of overall government economic policy, including efforts to reduce unemployment (now in the 8-10% range in urban areas), to rebalance income distribution between urban and rural regions, and to maintain economic growth while protecting the environment and improving social equity. The National People's Congress approved the amendments when it met in March 2004. The Fifth Plenum in October 2005 approved the 11th Five-Year Economic Program aimed at building a "harmonious society" through more balanced wealth distribution and improved education, medical care, and social security.

===Agriculture===
China is the world's most populous country and one of the largest producers and consumers of agricultural products. Roughly half of China's labor force is engaged in agriculture, even though only 10% of the land is suitable for cultivation and agriculture contributes only 13% of China's GDP. China's cropland area is only 75% of the U.S. total, but China still produces about 30% more crops and livestock than the U.S. because of intensive cultivation, China is among the world's largest producers of rice, corn, wheat, soybeans, vegetables, tea, and pork. Major non-food crops include cotton, other fibers, and oilseeds. China hopes to further increase agricultural production through improved plant stocks, fertilizers, and technology. Incomes for Chinese farmers are stagnating, leading to an increasing wealth gap between the cities and countryside. Government policies that continue to emphasize grain self-sufficiency and the fact that farmers do not own—and cannot buy or sell—the land they work have contributed to this situation. While this was the case in China before Communism, many other countries have since embrace individual ownership while China has not. In addition, inadequate port facilities and lack of warehousing and cold storage facilities impede both domestic and international agricultural trade.

===Industry===
{{History of China (full)}}
Industry and construction account for about 46% of China's GDP. Major industries are mining and ore processing; iron; steel; aluminum; coal, machinery; textiles and apparel; armaments; petroleum; cement; chemicals; fertilizers; consumer products including footwear, toys, and electronics; automobiles and other transportation equipment including rail cars and locomotives, ships, and aircraft; and telecommunications.

China has become a preferred destination for the relocation of global manufacturing facilities. Its strength as an export platform has contributed to incomes and employment in China. The state-owned sector still accounts for about 40% of GDP. In recent years, authorities have been giving greater attention to the management of state assets—both in the financial market as well as among state-owned-enterprises—and progress has been noteworthy.

===Regulatory Environment===
Though China's economy has expanded rapidly, its regulatory environment has not kept pace. Since Deng Xiaoping's open market reforms, the growth of new businesses has outpaced the government's ability to regulate them. This has created a situation where businesses, faced with mounting competition and poor oversight, will be willing to take drastic measures to increase profit margins, often at the expense of consumer safety. This issue has recently acquired more prominence, with a number of restrictions being placed on problematic Chinese exports by the U.S. The Chinese Government recognizes the severity of the problem, recently concluding that up to 20% of the country's products are substandard or tainted. However, the level of the Chinese corporate taxes is actually 60% of the annual income. Moreover, in September 2017 the Communist Regime announced that private enterprises that are over 50 employees are required to set up party branches.

===Energy===
Together with strong economic growth, China's demand for energy is surging rapidly. In 2003, China surpassed Japan to become the second-largest consumer of primary energy, after the United States. China is the world's second-largest consumer of oil, after the United States, and for 2006, China's increase in oil demand represented 38% of the world total increase in oil demand. China is also the third-largest energy producer in the world, after the United States and Russia. China's electricity consumption is expected to grow by over 4% a year through 2030, which will require more than $2 trillion in electricity infrastructure investment to meet the demand. China expects to add approximately 15,000 megawatts of generating capacity a year, with 20% of that coming from foreign suppliers.

Coal makes up the bulk of China's energy consumption (70% in 2005), and China is the largest producer and consumer of coal in the world. As China's economy continues to grow, China's coal demand is projected to rise significantly. Although coal's share of China's overall energy consumption will decrease, coal consumption will continue to rise in absolute terms. China's continued and increasing reliance on coal as a power source has contributed significantly to putting China on the path to becoming the world's largest emitter of acid rain-causing sulfur dioxide and green house gases, including carbon dioxide.

The 11th Five-Year Program, announced in 2005, calls for greater energy conservation measures, including development of renewable energy sources and increased attention to environmental protection. Moving away from coal towards cleaner energy sources including oil, natural gas, renewable energy, and nuclear power is an important component of China's development program. China has abundant hydroelectric resources; the Three Gorges Dam, for example, will have a total capacity of 18 gigawatts when fully on-line (projected for 2009). In addition, the share of electricity generated by nuclear power is projected to grow from 1% in 2000 to 5% in 2030. China's renewable energy law, which went into effect in 2006, calls for 10% of its energy to come from renewable energy sources by 2020.

Since 1993, China has been a net importer of oil, a large portion of which comes from the Middle East. Net imports are expected to rise to 3.5 million barrels per day by 2010. China is interested in diversifying the sources of its oil imports and has invested in oil fields around the world. Beijing also plans to increase China's natural gas production, which currently accounts for only 3% of China's total energy consumption. Analysts expect China's consumption of natural gas to more than double by 2010.

In May 2004, then-Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) that launched the U.S.-China Energy Policy Dialogue. The Dialogue has strengthened energy-related interactions between China and the United States, the world's two largest energy consumers. The U.S.-China Energy Policy Dialogue builds upon the two countries' existing cooperative ventures in high energy nuclear physics, fossil energy, energy efficiency and renewable energy and energy information exchanges. The NDRC and the Department of Energy also exchange views and expertise on Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Technologies, and we convene an annual Oil and Gas Industry Forum with China.

===Environment===
[[Image:Tianmenshan mountain.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Tian Shan, Gong Yuan, or Sky Mountain park, literally, is a world heritage site.]]
One of the serious negative consequences of China's rapid industrial development has been increased pollution and degradation of natural resources. China is widely expected to surpass the United States as the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases sometime in 2007 or 2008. A World Health Organization report on air quality in 272 cities worldwide concluded that seven of the world's 10 most polluted cities were in China. According to China's own evaluation, two-thirds of the 338 cities for which air-quality data are available are considered polluted—two-thirds of them moderately or severely so. Respiratory and heart diseases related to air pollution are the leading cause of death in China. Almost all of the nation's rivers are considered polluted to some degree, and half of the population lacks access to clean water. By some estimates, every day approximately 300 million residents drink contaminated water. Ninety percent of urban water bodies are severely polluted. Water scarcity also is an issue; for example, severe water scarcity in Northern China is a serious threat to sustained economic growth and the government has begun working on a project for a large-scale diversion of water from the Yangtze River to northern cities, including Beijing and Tianjin. Acid rain falls on 30% of the country. Various studies estimate pollution costs the Chinese economy 7%-10% of GDP each year.

China's leaders are increasingly paying attention to the country's severe environmental problems. In 1998, the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) was officially upgraded to a ministry-level agency, reflecting the growing importance the Chinese Government places on environmental protection. In recent years, China has strengthened its environmental legislation and made some progress in stemming environmental deterioration. In 2005, China joined the Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development, which brings industries and governments together to implement strategies that reduce pollution and address climate change. During the 10th Five-Year Plan, China plans to reduce total emissions by 10%. Beijing in particular is investing heavily in pollution control as part of its campaign to host a successful Olympiad in 2008. Some cities have seen improvement in air quality in recent years.

China is an active participant in climate change talks and other multilateral environmental negotiations, taking environmental challenges seriously but pushing for the developed world to help developing countries to a greater extent. It is a signatory to the Basel Convention governing the transport and disposal of hazardous waste and the Montreal Protocol for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, as well as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and other major environmental agreements.

The question of environmental impacts associated with the Three Gorges Dam project has generated controversy among environmentalists inside and outside China. Critics claim that erosion and silting of the Yangtze River threaten several endangered species, while Chinese officials say the dam will help prevent devastating floods and generate clean hydroelectric power that will enable the region to lower its dependence on coal, thus lessening air pollution.

The United States and China are members of the Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (APP). The APP is a public-private partnership of six nations—Australia, China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States—committed to explore new mechanisms to meet national pollution reduction, energy security and climate change goals in ways that reduce poverty and promote economic development. APP members have undertaken cooperative activities involving deployment of clean technology in partner countries in eight areas: cleaner fossil energy, renewable energy and distributed generation, power generation and transmission, steel, aluminum, cement, coal mining, and buildings and appliances.

The United States and China have been engaged in an active program of bilateral environmental cooperation since the mid-1990s, with an emphasis on clean energy technology and the design of effective environmental policy. While both governments view this cooperation positively, China has often compared the U.S. program, which lacks a foreign assistance component, with those of Japan and several European Union (EU) countries that include generous levels of aid.

===Science and Technology===
Science and technology have always preoccupied China's leaders; indeed, China's political leadership comes almost exclusively from technical backgrounds and has a high regard for science. Deng called it "the first productive force." Distortions in the economy and society created by party rule have severely hurt Chinese science, according to some Chinese science policy experts. The Chinese Academy of Sciences, modeled on the Soviet system, puts much of China's greatest scientific talent in a large, under-funded apparatus that remains largely isolated from industry, although the reforms of the past decade have begun to address this problem.

Chinese science strategists see China's greatest opportunities in newly emerging fields such as biotechnology and computers, where there is still a chance for China to become a significant player. Most Chinese students who went abroad have not returned, but they have built a dense network of trans-Pacific contacts that will greatly facilitate U.S.-China scientific cooperation in coming years. The U.S. space program is often held up as the standard of scientific modernity in China. China's small but growing space program, which successfully completed their second manned orbit in October 2005, is a focus of national pride.

The U.S.-China Science and Technology Agreement remains the framework for bilateral cooperation in this field. A 5-year agreement to extend the Science and Technology Agreement was signed in April 2006. The Agreement is among the longest-standing U.S.-China accords, and includes over eleven U.S. Federal agencies and numerous branches that participate in cooperative exchanges under the S&T Agreement and its nearly 60 protocols, memoranda of understanding, agreements and annexes. The Agreement covers cooperation in areas such as marine conservation, renewable energy, and health. Biennial Joint Commission Meetings on Science and Technology bring together policymakers from both sides to coordinate joint science and technology cooperation. Executive Secretaries meetings are held biennially to implement specific cooperation programs. Japan and the European Union also have high-profile science and technology cooperative relationships with China.
====Internet====
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has criticized Chinese censorship and restrictions on the Intrernet, and China is pushing back since the Communist Party considers Internet control essential if it is to keep power and avoid elections. The government has denied suggestions by Google that a major, sophisticated assault on Google in late 2009 was sponsored by the government. The attack targeted email accounts used by dissidents, the weak point in China's political dictatorship. Google is threatening to ignore the censorship policies demanded by the government, and perhaps leave the country. The Communist Party promotes Internet use for commerce, but heavily censors content it deems pornographic, anti-social or politically subversive and blocks many foreign news and social media sites, including Twitter Facebook, and YouTube.

===Poor Medical care===
Mainland China, like most Communist regimes, gives low priority to medicine and medical care. Mainland China only spends 1% of GDP on health care, ranking #156 out of 196 nations surveys by the World Health Organization. Many people rely on traditional practitioners, having more faith in acupuncture than modern science. In any case few have the opportunity to receive modern drugs or treatment with advanced devices. The local clinic has only a thermometer and stethoscope for instrumentation, and very few modern drugs. Only one in six medical personnel have a college degree, and those degrees are not high quality. The ordinary people want more medical care but that hardly matters, for in a dictatorship violence matters, but not public opinion.<ref>Gordon Fairclaugh, "In China, Rx for Ailing Health System," ''Wall Street Journal,'' Oct. 15, 2009</ref>

===Trade===
China's merchandise exports totaled $969.3 billion and imports totaled $791.8 billion in 2006. Its global trade surplus surged from $32 billion in 2004 to $177.5 billion in 2006. China's primary trading partners include Japan, the EU, the United States, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. According to U.S. statistics, China had a trade surplus with the U.S. of $232.6 billion in 2006.

China has taken important steps to open its foreign trading system and integrate itself into the world trading system. In November 1991, China joined the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) group, which promotes free trade and cooperation in the economic, trade, investment, and technology spheres. China served as APEC chair in 2001, and Shanghai hosted the annual APEC leaders meeting in October of that year.

China formally joined the WTO in December 2001. As part of this far-reaching trade liberalization agreement, China agreed to lower tariffs and abolish market impediments. Chinese and foreign businessmen, for example, gained the right to import and export on their own, and to sell their products without going through a government middleman. By 2005, average tariff rates on key U.S. agricultural exports dropped from 31% to 14% and on industrial products from 25% to 9%. The agreement also opens up new opportunities for U.S. providers of services like banking, insurance, and telecommunications. China has made significant progress implementing its WTO commitments, but serious concerns remain, particularly in the realm of intellectual property rights protection.

While accession does not guarantee smaller trade deficits, full implementation of all WTO commitments would further open China's markets to—and help level the playing field for—U.S. exports. China is now one of the most important markets for U.S. exports: in 2006, U.S. exports to China totaled $55.2 billion, almost triple the $19 billion when China joined the WTO in 2001 and up 32% over 2005. U.S. agricultural exports have increased dramatically, making China our fourth-largest agricultural export market (after Canada, Japan, and Mexico). Over the same period (2001-2006), U.S. imports from China have risen from $102 billion to $287.8 billion.

Export growth continues to be a major driver of China's rapid economic growth. To increase exports, China has pursued policies such as fostering the rapid development of foreign-invested factories, which assemble imported components into consumer goods for export, and liberalizing trading rights. In its eleventh Five-Year Program, adopted in 2005, China placed greater emphasis on developing a consumer demand-driven economy to sustain economic growth and address global imbalances.

The United States is one of China's primary suppliers of power generating equipment, aircraft and parts, computers and industrial machinery, raw materials, and chemical and agricultural products. However, U.S. exporters continue to have concerns about fair market access due to strict testing and standards requirements for some imported products. In addition, a lack of transparency in the regulatory process makes it difficult for businesses to plan for changes in the domestic market structure. The April 11, 2006 U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) produced agreements on key U.S. trade concerns ranging from market access to U.S. beef, medical devices, and telecommunications; to the enforcement of intellectual property rights, including, significantly, software. The JCCT also produced an agreement to establish a U.S.-China High Technology and Strategic Trade Working Group to review export control cooperation and facilitate high technology trade.

===Foreign Investment===
China's investment climate has changed dramatically in 24 years of reform. In the early 1980s, China restricted foreign investments to export-oriented operations and required foreign investors to form joint-venture partnerships with Chinese firms. Foreign direct investment (FDI) grew quickly during the 1980s, but stalled in late 1989 in the aftermath of Tiananmen. In response, the government introduced legislation and regulations designed to encourage foreigners to invest in high-priority sectors and regions. Since the early 1990s, China has allowed foreign investors to manufacture and sell a wide range of goods on the domestic market, and authorized the establishment of wholly foreign-owned enterprises, now the preferred form of FDI. However, the Chinese Government's emphasis on guiding FDI into manufacturing has led to market saturation in some industries, while leaving China's services sectors underdeveloped. China is now one of the leading recipients of FDI in the world, receiving almost $80 billion in 2005 according to World Bank statistics.

As part of its WTO accession, China undertook to eliminate certain trade-related investment measures and to open up specified sectors that had previously been closed to foreign investment. New laws, regulations, and administrative measures to implement these commitments are being issued. Major remaining barriers to foreign investment include opaque and inconsistently enforced laws and regulations and the lack of a rules-based legal infrastructure.

Opening to the outside remains central to China's development. Foreign-invested enterprises produce about half of China's exports, and China continues to attract large investment inflows. Foreign exchange reserves were $1.1 trillion at the end of 2006, and have now surpassed those of Japan, making China's foreign exchange reserves the largest in the world.
===Higher education===
Despite fears that China may be outpacing the United States in turning out engineers, the number of college students in China who study engineering is on the decline, according to ''Global Times'', a Chinese party-controlled newspaper. Fewer than one in 10 college graduates in 2009 majored in engineering. Instead, students are turning to economics, finance, and management, which pay more and carry more social status. "Engineering usually makes people think of factories, while factories often give people an impression of hard work, low wages, and layoffs," the newspaper quoted one professor as saying.

Although there are some considerable effort of developing the universities, the Communist regime are still having issues with academic freedoms, which means that some improvements will made, but the overall environment will not changed.

The exodus of Chinese undergraduate and graduate students continues; as 180,000 left in 2008, about 25% percent more than in 2007, as more families were able to pay overseas tuition. For every four students who left in the past decade, only one returned; those with American PhDs in science or engineering the least likely to return. The intellectual vitality, quality of science, pay scales and political climate is much more attractive in the West. Those who return to China risk being shunned as "foreigners".<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/07/world/asia/07scholar.html?hp Sharon LaFraniera, "Fighting Trend, China Is Luring Scientists Home," ''New York Times'' Jan. 6. 2010]</ref> Now the exodus are enlarged into high-school students and even primary school students.
===The Chinese in Africa===
China has been spending huge amounts of money and time buying influence in various African countries.<ref>[http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/Africa-Monitor/2011/0217/China-s-latest-trade-visit-to-Africa-reveals-a-different-approach-to-business]</ref> China has given 45 Afriacn countries $115 billion, a figure which is growing at 44% every year. Africa has many desirable resources such as [[diamonds]], [[oil]], and rare earth metals such as [[Indium]] which is used to make the touch screens for new high-tech devices such as [[Apple]]'s [[iPad]]<ref>[http://blogs.indium.com/blog/an-interview-with-the-professor/assembled-cost-of-an-ipad]</ref> and [[iPhone]], often under [[sweat shop]] conditions.

China's aim in Africa seems to be to buy up the emerging markets of the developing nations there. China has a big population, but does not have many of the resources (see above) that they will need to improve themselves. When countries go through [[industrialization]] they need to use a lot more resources, and China does not have them. By buying up Africa they get these natural resources cheaply. They will also be able to use these resources as poker chips against the west.
US ambassador [[Johnnie Carson]] believes "China has no morals" in Africa,<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/12/09/cable-kenya-risks-new-violence-reforms/]</ref> which may be true given their [[communist]] ideology.

=== China and intellectual property theft ===

See: [[Atheistic China and intellectual property theft|China and intellectual property theft]]

== History ==
{{main|History of China}}

Although archaeologists have found settlements in China dating to [[5000 BC]], the earliest nation that can be dated in the area of modern China is the [[Shang Dynasty]], approximately [[2000 BC]].
[[File:Great Wall of China.jpg|left|240px]]
Dynasty followed dynasty, as old regimes would lose the "mandate of heaven;" it was believed that each emperor ruled only with the approval of heaven, and a ruler who was unfit to rule would curse the nation until replaced. In addition, the Chinese capital would occasionally be overrun by "barbarians," who invariably would start a new dynasty in the Chinese capital, integrating their nations into the former dynasty.

Chinese had an advanced artistic culture and well-developed science and technology. However, its science and technology stood still after 1700 and in the 21st century very little survives outside museums, except in for the popular forms of traditional medicine.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the country was beset by large-scale civil wars, major famines, military defeats by Britain and Japan, regional control by powerful warlords and foreign intervention such as the [[Boxer Rebellion]] of 1900. In 1911 a revolution deposed the [[Qing dynasty]] and the [[Republic of China]] was proclaimed.

Under the leadership of the [[KMT]] (Kuomintang), headed by [[Chiang Kai-shek]] (1887-1975), the central government finally suppressed the local warlords who effectively controlled many provinces. The KMT tried to destroy the Communists under [[Mao Zedong]], but they escaped in the "Long March" of 1934-35. Japan seized Manchuria in 1931, and in 1937 invaded all of China, seizing the coast, the major cities, and setting up a puppet government that controlled most of the population. China was allied with the U.S. and Britain against Japan, and at war's end joined the United Nations as a permanent member of the 5-nation Security Council, with a veto.

In 1945-46, the U.S. attempted to force a negotiated settlement between the KMT and the Communists, but failed. In the face of economic collapse the Communists won the civil war in 1949 under [[Mao Zedong]] established a totalitarian regime, forcing the elected constitutional ROC Government to Taiwan. Taiwan is recognized as an integral part of China in theory, but in practice has been independent since 1949.

Mao liquidated millions of opponents, acting against the International society in the [[Korean War]] (1950–53), and around 1960 broke bitterly with the Soviet Union over the control of the Communist world. Mao's regime imposed strict controls over everyday life and cost the lives of tens of millions of people.

After 1978, Mao's successor [[Deng Xiaoping]] constructed a market-economy system, while still remain de facto control over the land by imposing the length of usage of the land, and by 2000 output had increased, population growth ended (by imposing a one-child policy), and mediocre relations were secured with the West. For much of the population, living standards have improved and the material choices are growing, yet totalitarian rule and the ownership of the Internet still firmly gripped.

China's economy during the last quarter century has changed from a centrally planned system that was largely closed to international trade, to a more market-oriented economy that has a rapidly growing private sector and is a major player in the global economy.

== Human Rights ==
Under Mao millions of Chinese were died, no matter it is famine or political movements, they are all the results of Communism itself. The "[[Cultural Revolution]]" in the 1960s was an Communistic effort of eradicating Chinese culture endorsed by Mao in order to eliminate potential political elite that could act against the Communist Party; it set back China by decades, even after his death, the damage in the social morality is still remaining.

After the mid-1980s the new leader [[Deng Xiaoping]] promoted rapid modernization. While Mao's memory was still revered, most of his brutal policies were ended and much economic freedom—and a dash of political liberalization—was allowed. Intellectuals were encouraged to speak out again and to share in a new spirit of "democratization." However Communist party leaders in 1986 warned that modernization must not be used as an excuse to introduce "bourgeois philosophies and social doctrines." By late 1986 student groups began to demonstrate demanding more student participation in local government, a greater degree of democracy, and better living conditions. As demonstrations escalated Hu Yaobang, the general secretary of the party, resigned, confessing that he had made major mistakes and would take responsibility for them. It was a setback to political and economic liberalization, though Hu remained, out of office, a symbol of the potential for democracy. Hu's death in April 1989, sparked widespread public rallies in favor of broad social changes in Beijing, Shanghai, and other major cities. Tens of thousands of students defied a government clampdown to demonstrate in May in [[Tiananmen Square]] central Beijing. The Party moved to kill dissent, sending uneducated rural troops into square on June 3–4; hundreds of demonstrators were killed, wounded, or arrested. The world was appalled. Following the savage repression of democrats in all major cities Deng Xiaoping appeared to be even more firmly in control.

The China country reports in the U.S. State Department's 2009 Human Rights Practices and International Religious Freedom Reports<ref>See [http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2008/eap/119037.htm U.S. State Department, ''2008 Human Rights Report: China (includes Tibet, Hong Kong, and Macau)'' Feb. 25, 2009]</ref> noted China's well-documented and continuing abuses of human rights in violation of internationally recognized norms, stemming both from the authorities' intolerance of dissent and the inadequacy of legal safeguards for basic freedoms. Reported abuses have included arbitrary and lengthy incommunicado detention, forced confessions, torture, and mistreatment of prisoners as well as severe restrictions on freedom of speech, the press, assembly, association, religion, privacy, worker rights, and coercive birth limitation. In 2006, China continued the monitoring, harassment, intimidation, and arrest of journalists, Internet writers, defense lawyers, religious activists, and political dissidents. The activities of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), especially those relating to the rule of law and expansion of judicial review, continue to be restricted.

In 2008 China loosened its restrictions somewhat for the Summer Olympics. The government owns the Internet access and censor several websites to prevent the people from learning about the Communist regime and the evil root of the Communism.

Human rights failures remain a major concern. Abatement of pollution and improvements in systems to ensure food, drug, and product safety are major concerns, especially after notorious episodes of exporting poisoned pet food, toothpaste and infant formula.
===Repression in 2008===
In 2008 China's human rights record remained poor and worsened in some areas. During the year the government increased its severe cultural and religious repression of ethnic minorities in Tibetan areas and the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR), increased detention and harassment of dissidents and petitioners, and maintained tight controls on freedom of speech and the Internet. Abuses peaked around high-profile events, such as the Olympics and the unrest in Tibet. As in previous years, citizens did not have the right to change their government. Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), both local and international, continued to face intense scrutiny and restrictions. Other serious human rights abuses included extrajudicial killings, torture and coerced confessions of prisoners, and the use of forced labor, including prison labor. Workers cannot choose an independent union to represent them in the workplace, and the law does not protect workers' right to strike. The government continued to monitor, harass, detain, arrest, and imprison journalists, writers, activists, and defense lawyers and their families, many of whom were seeking to exercise their rights under the law.<ref>See [http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2008/eap/119037.htm U.S. State Department, ''2008 Human Rights Report: China (includes Tibet, Hong Kong, and Macau)'' Feb. 25, 2009]</ref>
===Execution Controversy===
In December 2009, China executed a man named Akmal Shaikh for drug smuggling. There is evidence that Shaikh was mentally ill, but he was not given a psychological exam of any sort before the trial. He was not given an examination because the Chinese government declared that neither Shaikh or his family could prove he was mentally ill through documentation or family history. The British government made many requests for clemency, including at an eleventh-hour meeting with the Chinese ambassador, but they were consistently ignored.<ref>http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-fg-britain-china30-2009dec30,0,4153003.story</ref>

== China and obesity ==

[[File:Flag of the PRC.png|thumbnail|250px|right|China has the largest atheist population in the world.<ref>
*[http://www.thechapmans.nl/news/Atheist.pdf Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics (Zuckerman, 2005)]
*[https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/05/23/a-surprising-map-of-where-the-worlds-atheists-live/ A surprising map of where the world’s atheists live], ''Washington Post'' By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey May 23, 2013</ref> In 2014, the British medical journal'' Lancet'' reported that the Chinese now have the second highest obesity rate in the world.<ref>[http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2014/05/29/as-obesity-rises-chinese-kids-are-almost-as-fat-as-americans/ As Obesity Rises, Chinese Kids Are Almost as Fat as Americans], ''Wall Street Journal'' Chinarealtime, May 29, 2014</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgJvV62yD2E Chubby China: Nation of 300 Million Overweight People]</ref>

A recent study published in the ''Obesity Reviews'' journal, found that Chinese teenagers' rate of [[diabetes]] was four times that of their [[United States|American]] peers.<ref>[http://www.china.org.cn/china/2012-09/14/content_26521029.htm Obesity is a growing concern in China] By Pang Li, China.org.cn, September 14, 2012</ref>]]
''See also:'' [[China and obesity]] and [[Atheism and obesity]]

In 2014, it was reported that China's obesity rate has skyrocketed in the last 30 years and the Chinese now have the second highest obesity rate in the world.<ref>[http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2014/05/29/as-obesity-rises-chinese-kids-are-almost-as-fat-as-americans/ As Obesity Rises, Chinese Kids Are Almost as Fat as Americans], ''Wall Street Journal'' Chinarealtime, May 29, 2014</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgJvV62yD2E Chubby China: Nation of 300 Million Overweight People]</ref> The ''Wall Street Journal'' reported in 2014 that China had approximately 300 million overweight people.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgJvV62yD2E Chubby China: Nation of 300 Million Overweight People]</ref> In 2014, the British medical journal ''Lancet'' analyzed weight trends in 188 countries and reported that more than 28% of Chinese adult men and 27% of the country's adult women are now overweight or obese.<ref>[http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2014/05/29/as-obesity-rises-chinese-kids-are-almost-as-fat-as-americans/ As Obesity Rises, Chinese Kids Are Almost as Fat as Americans], ''Wall Street Journal'' Chinarealtime, May 29, 2014</ref>

According to a 2012 report by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of obese children in China has reached 120 million.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_yk-aM0cyk Child Obesity Reaches 120 Million in China]</ref> A recent study published in the ''Obesity Reviews'' journal, found that Chinese teenagers' rate of [[diabetes]] was four times that of their [[United States|American]] peers.<ref>[http://www.china.org.cn/china/2012-09/14/content_26521029.htm Obesity is a growing concern in China] By Pang Li, China.org.cn, September 14, 2012</ref> Due to their past [[One-child Policy|one-child policy]], which had exceptions, China now has a lot of over-pampered and over-fed children.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yuf8yg0Dbig Rising Chinese Child Obesity and Fat Camps]</ref>

Matthew Crabbe, co-author of "Fat China: How Expanding Waistlines are Changing a Nation" declared that China's surging rate of obesity is "a ticking bomb" underneath the country's future economic growth and healthcare system.<ref>[http://www.china.org.cn/china/2012-09/14/content_26521029.htm Obesity is a growing concern in China] By Pang Li, China.org.cn, September 14, 2012</ref>

==Further reading==
* Chow, Gregory C. ''China's Economic Transformation'' (2nd ed. 2007) [http://www.amazon.com/Chinas-Economic-Transformation-Gregory-Chow/dp/1405156244/ref=pd_sim_b_img_3 excerpt and text search]
* Eberharad, Wolfram. ''A History of China'' (2005), 380 pages' [https://books.google.com/books?id=5LgjunIn1CEC&printsec=frontcover&dq=intitle:history+intitle:china&num=30&as_brr=1&sig=k1CgHXYb6jQ6BgdwVpUWngov7So full text online free]
* Entwisle, Barbara, and Gail E. Henderson, eds. ''Re-Drawing Boundaries: Work, Households, and Gender in China,'' U of California Press, 2000; on 1990; [http://content.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/kt938nd0k8/?&query=&brand=ucpress complete text online free]
* Fairbank, John King and Goldman, Merle. ''China: A New History.'' (1998). 546 pp.
* Gries, Peter Hays. ''China's New Nationalism: Pride, Politics, and Diplomacy,'' U of California Press, (2004); recent history [http://content.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/kt9290249r/?&query=&brand=ucpress online edition free]
* Kang, David C. ''China Rising: Peace, Power, and Order in East Asia'' (2007), argues a strong China stabilizes East Asia
* Naughton, Barry. ''The Chinese Economy: Transitions and Growth'' (2007), important new survey
*Ogden S. (ed) ''China.'' (2006)
* Oi, Jean C. ''Rural China Takes Off: Institutional Foundations of Economic Reform,'' U of California Press, (1999) [http://content.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/ft8j49p1hv/?&query=&brand=ucpress complete text online free]
* Perkins, Dorothy. ''Encyclopedia of China: The Essential Reference to China, Its History and Culture.'' (1999). 662 pp.
* Rawski, Thomas G. and Lillian M. Li, eds. ''Chinese History in Economic Perspective,'' University of California Press, 1992 [http://content.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/ft6489p0n6/?&query=&brand=ucpress online free]
* Roberts, J. A. G. ''A Concise History of China.'' (1999). 341 pp.
* Schoppa, R. Keith. ''The Columbia Guide to Modern Chinese History.'' (2000). 356 pp. [http://www.questia.com/library/book/the-columbia-guide-to-modern-chinese-history-by-r-keith-schoppa.jsp online edition]
* Shambaugh, David. ''China's Communist Party: Atrophy and Adaptation'' (2009)
* Shambaugh, David. ''Modernizing China's Military: Progress, Problems, and Prospects'' U of California Press, (2003) [http://content.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/kt4779q33t/?&query=&brand=ucpress complete text online free]
* Spence, Jonathan D. ''The Search for Modern China'' (1991), 876pp; well written survey from 1644 to 1980s [http://www.amazon.com/Search-Modern-China-Jonathan-Spence/dp/0393307808/ref=pd_sim_b_title_2 excerpt and text search]; [http://www.questia.com/read/98946348 complete edition online]
* Wang, Ke-wen, ed. ''Modern China: An Encyclopedia of History, Culture, and Nationalism.'' (1998). 442 pp.

==See also==
*[[Atheistic China and alcoholism]]
*[[Atheistic China and loneliness]]
*[[Chinese History]]
*[[Chinese Painting]]
*[[China and involuntary organ harvesting]]
*[[Great Wall of China]]
*[[Oriental art]]
*[[Previous Breaking News/China|Articles about '''China''' from previous "Breaking News"]]
* [[Nuclear target structures]]
*[[Chinese National Day]]
*[[China and obesity]]

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
*[http://www.chinadetail.com/Nation/ All About China]
*[http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/china/home.html People's Daily: China at a Glance]
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/country_profiles/1287798.stm BBC News - ''Country Profile: China'']
*[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ch.html CIA World Factbook - ''China'']
*[http://www.monthlyreview.org/1105wu.htm "Rethinking ‘Capitalist Restoration’ in China"] by Yiching Wu
*[http://www.gov.cn/ The Central People's Government of People's Republic of China]
*[http://www.china.org.cn/ China's Official Gateway for News & Information]
*[http://www.globalpolitician.com/articles.asp?ID=341 The Dragon's Dawn: China as a Rising Imperial Power] February 11, 2005.
*[http://www.china-profile.com/history/hist_list_1.htm History of The People's Republic of China] Timeline of Key Events since 1949.
*[http://www.danwei.org/ Media, advertising, and urban life in China.]
*[http://factoidz.com/the-largest-ethnic-group-in-the-world-han-chinese-of-china/ The Largest Ethnic Group in the World: Han Chinese of China.]

{{Asian Countries}}
[[Category:China]]
[[Category:Communist States]]
[[Category:Oppression]]
[[Category:Anti-American]]
[[Category:Police State]]
[[Category:Welfare State]]
[[Category:Nuclear Defense]]

User:AntiChicomWarrior

2018-12-30T18:40:08Z

AntiChicomWarrior: Created page with "I affirm myself as reborn and baptized Christian (Protestantism). Ethnically I am Chinese and I am indeed from Mainland China. However, don't mix me up with the Chicoms, I hav..."

I affirm myself as reborn and baptized Christian (Protestantism). Ethnically I am Chinese and I am indeed from Mainland China. However, don't mix me up with the Chicoms, I have nothing to do with them anymore. Although I support 1A and I pretty much dislike the idea of government intervening the speech of people, I would be vocal once some people making fact-distorting statements in this encyclopedia and in my life.

Worst College Majors

2018-07-19T16:40:29Z

AntiChicomWarrior:

The '''worst college majors''' are fields of study that leave the student with relatively few job opportunities and often a distorted or ultra-[[liberal]] view of the world. Students incur an average debt in excess of $25,000 for attending college, and these college majors can leave such students without the ability to pay off their loans, which are typically not dischargeable in bankruptcy.

Adding insult to injury, many public colleges have begun charging students more if they decline one of the Worst College Majors, and study something of value instead.<ref>http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/story/2012-04-24/differential-tuition-increase-major/54513940/1</ref> Incidentally, a study by ''USA Today'' and the non-profit Education Sector showed that 514 colleges are more likely to produce defaults in student loans than graduates.<ref>http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/07/03/514-Colleges-Have-Higher-Default-Rates-Than-Graduation-Rates</ref>

In addition, college matters less and less to employers. The number of degree-less hires is trending way up at [[Google]].<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/20/business/in-head-hunting-big-data-may-not-be-such-a-big-deal.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1& In Head-Hunting, Big Data May Not Be Such a Big Deal, NYTimes, June 19, 2013]</ref> President of the John William Pope Center for Higher Education Policy wrote in the Wall Street Journal, “Many liberal-arts graduates, even from the best schools, aren’t getting jobs in part because they didn’t learn much in school.”<ref>[http://www.forbes.com/sites/johntamny/2013/02/10/sorry-left-and-right-no-job-requires-a-college-degree/ Sorry Left AND Right, No Job Requires A College Degree, Forbes.com, February 10, 2013]</ref>

==Undergraduate majors==
# American Indian/Native/Indigenous studies
# Animal Science<ref name="kiplinger" />
# Anthropology/Archeology<ref name="yahoo1" />
# Art History<ref name=kiplinger>[http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/college/T012-S001-worst-college-majors-for-your-career/index.html] Kiplinger, May 2015</ref><ref name="collegecrunch" />
# Black studies
# Business Administration/Management<ref name=yahoo2>[http://finance.yahoo.com/news/the-10-worst-majors-for-finding-a-good-job-211340394.html] Yahoo Finance, June 2013</ref>
# Child and Family Studies<ref name="kiplinger" />
# Climatology
# Comedic Arts <ref>[http://www.hngn.com/articles/102255/20150619/emerson-college-boston-offer-comedy-major-2016.htm Emerson College in Boston to Offer Comedy Major in 2016]</ref>
# Commercial Art/Graphic Design<ref name="yahoo1" />
# Communications<ref name="collegecrunch" />
# Comparative Religion
# Creative Writing
# Criminal Justice<ref name="yahoo2" />
# Culinary Arts<ref name="kiplinger" />
# Dance<ref name="collegecrunch" /><ref name="georgetown" />
# Drama/Theater<ref name="yahoo2" /><ref name="georgetown" />
# Economics (without a numerate bias)<ref name="yahoo2" />
# English [[Literature]]/Literary Criticism<ref name="yahoo1" />
# Environmental Studies
# Exercise Science<ref name="kiplinger" />
# Fashion Design
# Film/Video<ref name="yahoo1" /><ref name=georgetown>[http://www9.georgetown.edu/grad/gppi/hpi/cew/pdfs/whatsitworth-complete.pdf What's It Worth?] Georgetown University, July 2011</ref>
# Fine Arts<ref name="yahoo1" /><ref>http://www.artcareer.net/faqs/job-market-outlook-for-artists-and-designers/</ref>
# Forestry/Range Management/Wildlife Management
# Gaming Management<ref name="cat">[http://www.umac.mo/iscg/courses/gmdiphome.html 10 Worst College Majors for Employment]</ref>
# Golf Management – University of Birmingham / Florida Gulf Coast University
# Hispanic studies
# History<ref name="yahoo1" />
# History of Music
# Horticulture<ref name="kiplinger" />
# Human Resources
# Interior Design
# Islamic Studies<ref>http://colleges.collegetoolkit.com/colleges/browse/majors/byid/islamic_studies/38.0205.aspx</ref>
# Journalism<ref>http://www.foxbusiness.com/slideshow/personal-finance/2010/06/28/worst-fields-graduates/#slide=4</ref>
# Latin<ref name="collegecrunch" />
# Leisure Studies<ref name="collegecrunch" />
# Liberal Arts<ref name=yahoo1>[http://finance.yahoo.com/news/10-worst-college-majors-143200704.html] Yahoo Finance, June 2014</ref>
# [[Homosexuality|LGBT]] studies<ref>http://www.yale.edu/lgbts/</ref><ref>http://www.lgbts.umd.edu/</ref>
# Music<ref name="kiplinger" /><ref name="yahoo1" />
# Music/Art Therapy<ref name="collegecrunch" /><ref name="georgetown" />
# Outdoor Adventure Leadership - Laurentian University
# Paralegal studies/prelaw
# Philosophy<ref name="yahoo1" /><ref>[http://www.toptenz.net/to-10-useless-college-classes-degrees.php]</ref>
# Photography<ref name="kiplinger" /><ref name="yahoo1" />
# Psychology<ref name="yahoo2" /><ref name="georgetown" />
# Physical Fitness/Education<ref name="yahoo1" /><ref name="collegecrunch" />
# Puppetry
# [[Atheism|Secularism]]<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/08/us/08secular.html Pitzer College in California Adds Major in Secularism]</ref><ref>In their book ''Encyclopedia of Social Deviance'', which was published in 2014, authors Craig J. Forsyth and ‎Heith Copes wrote: "Atheism as a subject of social science has also generally been ignored in comparison with the scholarly work on religion" (see page 41 of their book). Social Scientists are often generally reluctant to study atheists and it is considered not a great thing to have on your resume for future employment as far as graduate students (see: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB7Dlwaufyk Why is Psychology Silent When it Comes to Atheism? - Dr. Melanie Brewster - Skepticon 7], Published on Nov 27, 2014). According to the atheist Dr. Melanie Brewster, "Good peer-reviewed psychology journals are kind of hesitant to take studies on atheism."[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB7Dlwaufyk] Hunsberger was the first social scientists to do a fairly intensive look at atheists and a book on his study was published in 2006.[http://www.amazon.com/Atheists-Groundbreaking-Study-Americas-Nonbelievers/dp/1591024137] One of the great ironies of this state of affairs is that the very well-known psychiatrist [[Sigmund Freud]] was an atheist (much of his work is now considered [[pseudoscience]]).[http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/books/defender-of-a-damaging-pseudo-science/157101.article] (See also: [[Sigmund Freud's view of religion]]).</ref><ref>[[Global atheism|Global atheism/agnosticism is declining]] and the trend of [[desecularization]] is expected to continue in the 21st century. Professor [[Eric Kaufmann]] told a secular audience in Australia: "The trends that are happening worldwide inevitably in an age of globalization are going to affect us."[http://fora.tv/2010/09/05/Eric_Kaufmann_Shall_the_Religious_Inherit_the_Earth] In the [[Western World]] and the world as a whole [[internet atheism|interest in internet atheism is declining]].</ref> ''(See also: [[Views on atheists]])''
# Sequential Art<ref>http://www.scad.edu/sequential-art/index.cfm</ref>
# Social Work<ref name="kiplinger" />
# Sociology
# Urban Planning
# Video Game Design
# [[Feminism|Women's studies]]<ref name=collegecrunch>[http://www.collegecrunch.org/advice/the-10-most-expensive-but-useless-degrees-in-americ/] College Crunch, December 2008</ref>

==Graduate programs==
#Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology<ref name=bankrate>[http://www.bankrate.com/finance/college-finance/graduate-degrees-dont-pay-off.aspx 5 Graduate Degrees That Don't Pay Off] Bankrate.com</ref>
#Computer Engineering<ref name="bankrate" />
#Fine Arts<ref name="bankrate" />
#Law (from a low-ranked, especially tier 4 law school)<ref name="bankrate" />(Note: Tier 1 = US News ranking 1-50, Tier 2 = US News Ranking 50-100, Tier 3 = US News Ranking 100-150, Tier 4 = US News Ranking 150-200)<ref name=Law School Advice>[http://lawschooladvice.com/law-school-tiers/]Lawschooladvice.com</ref>
#PR, Advertising & Mass-Media<ref name="bankrate" />

==Courses==
# American Indian Environmental Studies - Laurentian University
# Arguing with Judge Judy - UC Berkeley
# Contemporary American Culture: The Fifty Shades Trilogy - American University<ref>[http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Hollywood/2012/12/29/American-Univeristy-to-Offer-Course-on-Fifty-Shades-of-Grey UNIVERSITY TO OFFER COURSE STUDYING 'FIFTY SHADES OF GREY' TRILOGY, Breitbart, December 29, 2012]</ref>
# Cyber Feminism - Cornell University
# Ecology of Renewable Natural Resources - Texas Tech University<ref>[http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/courses/NRM.php Texas Tech University Course Listing]</ref>
# Emotional Literacy<ref>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1076368/Schools-councils-waste-300-000-useless-emotional-literacy-course-faraway-island-sun.html</ref>
# [[Evolution]]
# Feminist New Black Man - Occidental College<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvlL_lDk4ko Jason Mattera At CPAC, YouTube]</ref>
# Field Equipment Operation (tractor driving) - UC Davis
# Football Culture
# From DNA to ''Homo sapiens'' - MCLA
# Gaga for Lady Gaga: Sex, Gender, and Identity - University of Virginia-Charlottesville<ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/10/lady-gaga-college-class_n_712540.html</ref>
# Getting dressed - Princeton University<ref>http://www.universitynavigator.com/university-blog/most-ridiculous-courses-you-can-opt-for.html</ref>
# Hip Hop: The Politics of Culture - UC San Diego
# History of Surfing - UC Santa Barbara
# History of Weaving - UC Berkeley
# Introduction to Social Networking
# Labor Studies - UM Saint Louis & UM Kansas City<ref>[http://www.thehotjoints.com/2011/04/25/video-college-course-teaches-violent-union-tactics/ Video: College Course Teaches Violent Union Tactics, The Hot Joints, April 25, 2011]</ref>
# Media Genres (studies zombies) - University of Baltimore<ref>[http://www.aolnews.com/weird-news/article/university-of-baltimore-pop-culture-class-focuses-on-zombies/19625044?test=latestnews College Course Preps Pupils for Zombie Apocalypse, AOL News, September 9, 2010]</ref>
# Native American Feminism - University of Michigan
# Occupy the Field: Global Finance, Inequality, Social Movement - Columbia University<ref>[http://michellemalkin.com/2012/01/02/occupy-101/ Columbia University to Offer ‘Occupy 101′ Course, January 2, 2012]</ref>
# Philosophy and Star Trek – Georgetown University in Washington<ref>[http://courses.georgetown.edu/index.cfm?Action=View&CourseID=PHIL-180 Georgetown University Course Listing]</ref>
# Pilot Brewery (brewmaster) - UC Davis
# Politicizing Beyoncé - Rutgers University class from the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies<ref>[http://www.jammiewf.com/2014/higher-education-rutgers-university-offers-class-on-beyonce/ Higher Education: Rutgers University Offers Class on Beyonce, Jammie Wearing Fools, Jan 31, 2014]</ref>
# Queer Musicology – UCLA
# Revolutionary Marxism - Portland State University<ref>http://www.theblaze.com/stories/portland-state-university-offering-revolutionary-marxism-course-and-wait-until-you-see-the-syllabus/</ref>
# Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence - UC Berkeley
# Seeing with a Native Eye - Laurentian University
# Self-Esteem - Cal State Fresno
# The Colbert Report: American Satire Writing Seminar - Boston University<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cody-brotter/bu-offers-stephen-colbert_b_810122.html Class Credit for Colbert College Course, Huffington Post, January 18, 2011]</ref>
# The Science of Harry Potter – Frostburg University<ref>CBS News: ''Harry Potter Goes To College: Professor Uses Boy Wizard To Explores Links Between Magic, Science'', by Bootie Cosgrove-Mather, Sept. 26, 2003 [http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/11/19/national/main584456.shtml] ''...Frostburg State President Catherine R. Gira said she isn't worried that some may view a Harry Potter class as trivial. "Irrespective of the specific title of the course, the 'magic' in the fiction is being analyzed by applying concepts of physics, chemistry, biology and engineering. This honors course creatively packages scientific principles in a contemporary way that will interest today's students," Gira said.''</ref>
# The Mythology of Harry Potter - UCLA
# The Science of Superheroes - UC Irvine<ref>[http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/11/14/the-top-8-california-schools-that-are-like-totally-wasting-your-money/ The Top 8 California Schools that Are, Like, Totally Wasting Your Money, NewsRealBlog, November 14, 2010]</ref>
# The Simpsons and the American Family - Hampshire College
# The Sociology of Hip-Hop: The Odyssey of Jay-Z – Georgetown University<ref>[http://newsbusters.org/#ixzz1fPkYhzqX Jay-Z's street rhymes a Georgetown college course]</ref>
# The Sociology of Miley Cyrus: Race, Class, Gender, and Media - Skidmore College<ref>[http://dailycaller.com/2014/03/27/your-kids-new-college-course-the-sociology-of-miley-cyrus/#ixzz2xE9fPqF4 Your kid’s new college course: ‘The Sociology of Miley Cyrus’ DailyCaller.com, March 27, 2014]</ref>
# U.S. Race Theory & the Problem of Whiteness - Arizona State University<ref>[http://campusreform.org/?ID=6225 White professor teaches 'problem of whiteness' course at Arizona State]</ref>
# Understanding Obama - Harvard Law School<ref>http://www.theblaze.com/stories/harvard-law-offering-understanding-obama-course-taught-by-obama-mentor/</ref>
# Why Occupy Wall Street? The History and Politics of Debt and Finance - New York University<ref>[http://weaselzippers.us/2011/12/09/n-y-u-to-offer-classes-on-occupy-wall-street/ N.Y.U. To Offer Classes On Occupy Wall Street, Weasel Zippers, December 9, 2011]</ref>

==Workshops==
#Brown University workshop "The Ultimate Guide to Prostate Pleasure." <ref>[http://www.campusreform.org/blog/?ID=4668 Brown University to teach male students how to attain ‘prostate pleasure’]</ref>
#Hamilton College in New York and University of Minnesota host Orgasm workshop for female undergrad students.<ref>[http://www.campusreform.org/blog/?ID=5104 College to host orgasm workshop for female undergrads, CampusReform.com, September 25, 2013]</ref>
#Marquette University, Brown University and Columbia University to host Femsex workshop. Topics include orgasms, masturbation, sex, kink and explicit coloring books.<ref>[http://www.campusreform.org/blog/?ID=5050 Catholic college to host controversial 'Femsex' workshop with 'C--t Coloring' and 'pleasure point' CampusReform.com, September 10, 2013]</ref>
#New York University sponsors Strap-On Play, Sex Toys 101, and Oral Sex Tips, part of the bigger event called “Babeland: Queer Student Night with NYU LGBTQ Student Center.<ref>[http://www.campusreform.org/blog/?ID=5019 NYU offers ‘Strap-On Play,’ ‘Sex Toys 101’ workshops for LGBTQ students, CampusReform.com, August 27, 2013]</ref>
#University Of Arizona is to hold the Condom Olympics, students to be involved in a condom-wrapped egg toss, condom art, and a condom scavenger hunt.<ref>[http://www.ijreview.com/2014/02/115262-meanwhile-university-arizona-plans-condom-olympics/ Meanwhile, University Of Arizona Plans ‘Condom Olympics’, IJReview.com, February 15, 2014]</ref>
#University of Tennessee sponsors six-day event called 'Sex Week'. <ref>[http://radio.foxnews.com/toddstarnes/top-stories/university-of-tennessee-uses-student-fees-to-host-lesbian-bondage-expert.html University of Tennessee Uses Student Fees to Host Lesbian Bondage Expert]</ref>
#Harvard University hosts a workshop called 'What What in the Butt: Anal 101', to teach that the butthole is the greatest "equalizer"<ref>http://www.breitbart.com/tech/2017/11/08/harvard-hosts-anal-sex-workshop-entitled-what-what-in-the-butt/</ref>
#Arizona State University hosts a masturbation workshop titled "Go F--- Yourself".<ref>http://www.breitbart.com/tech/2018/01/31/arizona-state-hosts-masturbation-workshop-titled-go-fck-yourself/</ref>
#Yale hosts a workshop on the acceptance of bestiality, incest and prostitution.<ref>[http://www.campusreform.org/blog/?ID=4646 Yale hosts workshop teaching sensitivity to bestiality, CampusReform.org march 5, 2013]</ref>
== References ==
<references/>

== See also ==
*[[Academia and intellectual development]]
*[[Atheism and academia]]
*[[Atheist indoctrination]]

== External links ==
*[http://www.bankrate.com/finance/college-finance/graduate-degrees-dont-pay-off.aspx?ec_id=m1117367#slide=1 5 graduate degrees that don't pay off]
*[http://www9.georgetown.edu/grad/gppi/hpi/cew/pdfs/Unemployment.Final.update1.pdf Unemployment rates and earnings for college majors - Georgetown University report - 2012]
*[http://www9.georgetown.edu/grad/gppi/hpi/cew/pdfs/whatsitworth-complete.pdf What's It Worth? The Economic Value of College Majors] - Comprehensive report at [[Georgetown University]] website
*[http://learnfinancialplanning.com/best-worst-college-majors-degree/ Best and Worst College Majors]
*[http://www.toptenz.net/to-10-useless-college-classes-degrees.php Top 10 Useless College Degrees & Classes]
*[http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/10-college-majors-lowest-unemployment-rates-163049193.html College majors with lowest unemployment]

{{liberalism}}

[[Category:College]]
[[Category:Education]]
[[Category:Snowflakes]]

Worst College Majors

2018-07-19T16:39:24Z

AntiChicomWarrior: Clarification

The '''worst college majors''' are fields of study that leave the student with relatively few job opportunities and often a distorted or ultra-[[liberal]] view of the world. Students incur an average debt in excess of $25,000 for attending college, and these college majors can leave such students without the ability to pay off their loans, which are typically not dischargeable in bankruptcy.

Adding insult to injury, many public colleges have begun charging students more if they decline one of the Worst College Majors, and study something of value instead.<ref>http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/story/2012-04-24/differential-tuition-increase-major/54513940/1</ref> Incidentally, a study by ''USA Today'' and the non-profit Education Sector showed that 514 colleges are more likely to produce defaults in student loans than graduates.<ref>http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/07/03/514-Colleges-Have-Higher-Default-Rates-Than-Graduation-Rates</ref>

In addition, college matters less and less to employers. The number of degree-less hires is trending way up at [[Google]].<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/20/business/in-head-hunting-big-data-may-not-be-such-a-big-deal.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1& In Head-Hunting, Big Data May Not Be Such a Big Deal, NYTimes, June 19, 2013]</ref> President of the John William Pope Center for Higher Education Policy wrote in the Wall Street Journal, “Many liberal-arts graduates, even from the best schools, aren’t getting jobs in part because they didn’t learn much in school.”<ref>[http://www.forbes.com/sites/johntamny/2013/02/10/sorry-left-and-right-no-job-requires-a-college-degree/ Sorry Left AND Right, No Job Requires A College Degree, Forbes.com, February 10, 2013]</ref>

==Undergraduate majors==
# American Indian/Native/Indigenous studies
# Animal Science<ref name="kiplinger" />
# Anthropology/Archeology<ref name="yahoo1" />
# Art History<ref name=kiplinger>[http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/college/T012-S001-worst-college-majors-for-your-career/index.html] Kiplinger, May 2015</ref><ref name="collegecrunch" />
# Black studies
# Business Administration/Management<ref name=yahoo2>[http://finance.yahoo.com/news/the-10-worst-majors-for-finding-a-good-job-211340394.html] Yahoo Finance, June 2013</ref>
# Child and Family Studies<ref name="kiplinger" />
# Climatology
# Comedic Arts <ref>[http://www.hngn.com/articles/102255/20150619/emerson-college-boston-offer-comedy-major-2016.htm Emerson College in Boston to Offer Comedy Major in 2016]</ref>
# Commercial Art/Graphic Design<ref name="yahoo1" />
# Communications<ref name="collegecrunch" />
# Comparative Religion
# Creative Writing
# Criminal Justice<ref name="yahoo2" />
# Culinary Arts<ref name="kiplinger" />
# Dance<ref name="collegecrunch" /><ref name="georgetown" />
# Drama/Theater<ref name="yahoo2" /><ref name="georgetown" />
# Economics (without a numerate bias)<ref name="yahoo2" />
# English [[Literature]]/Literary Criticism<ref name="yahoo1" />
# Environmental Studies
# Exercise Science<ref name="kiplinger" />
# Fashion Design
# Film/Video<ref name="yahoo1" /><ref name=georgetown>[http://www9.georgetown.edu/grad/gppi/hpi/cew/pdfs/whatsitworth-complete.pdf What's It Worth?] Georgetown University, July 2011</ref>
# Fine Arts<ref name="yahoo1" /><ref>http://www.artcareer.net/faqs/job-market-outlook-for-artists-and-designers/</ref>
# Forestry/Range Management/Wildlife Management
# Gaming Management<ref name="cat">[http://www.umac.mo/iscg/courses/gmdiphome.html 10 Worst College Majors for Employment]</ref>
# Golf Management – University of Birmingham / Florida Gulf Coast University
# Hispanic studies
# History<ref name="yahoo1" />
# History of Music
# Horticulture<ref name="kiplinger" />
# Human Resources
# Interior Design
# Islamic Studies<ref>http://colleges.collegetoolkit.com/colleges/browse/majors/byid/islamic_studies/38.0205.aspx</ref>
# Journalism<ref>http://www.foxbusiness.com/slideshow/personal-finance/2010/06/28/worst-fields-graduates/#slide=4</ref>
# Latin<ref name="collegecrunch" />
# Leisure Studies<ref name="collegecrunch" />
# Liberal Arts<ref name=yahoo1>[http://finance.yahoo.com/news/10-worst-college-majors-143200704.html] Yahoo Finance, June 2014</ref>
# [[Homosexuality|LGBT]] studies<ref>http://www.yale.edu/lgbts/</ref><ref>http://www.lgbts.umd.edu/</ref>
# Music<ref name="kiplinger" /><ref name="yahoo1" />
# Music/Art Therapy<ref name="collegecrunch" /><ref name="georgetown" />
# Outdoor Adventure Leadership - Laurentian University
# Paralegal studies/prelaw
# Philosophy<ref name="yahoo1" /><ref>[http://www.toptenz.net/to-10-useless-college-classes-degrees.php]</ref>
# Photography<ref name="kiplinger" /><ref name="yahoo1" />
# Psychology<ref name="yahoo2" /><ref name="georgetown" />
# Physical Fitness/Education<ref name="yahoo1" /><ref name="collegecrunch" />
# Puppetry
# [[Atheism|Secularism]]<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/08/us/08secular.html Pitzer College in California Adds Major in Secularism]</ref><ref>In their book ''Encyclopedia of Social Deviance'', which was published in 2014, authors Craig J. Forsyth and ‎Heith Copes wrote: "Atheism as a subject of social science has also generally been ignored in comparison with the scholarly work on religion" (see page 41 of their book). Social Scientists are often generally reluctant to study atheists and it is considered not a great thing to have on your resume for future employment as far as graduate students (see: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB7Dlwaufyk Why is Psychology Silent When it Comes to Atheism? - Dr. Melanie Brewster - Skepticon 7], Published on Nov 27, 2014). According to the atheist Dr. Melanie Brewster, "Good peer-reviewed psychology journals are kind of hesitant to take studies on atheism."[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB7Dlwaufyk] Hunsberger was the first social scientists to do a fairly intensive look at atheists and a book on his study was published in 2006.[http://www.amazon.com/Atheists-Groundbreaking-Study-Americas-Nonbelievers/dp/1591024137] One of the great ironies of this state of affairs is that the very well-known psychiatrist [[Sigmund Freud]] was an atheist (much of his work is now considered [[pseudoscience]]).[http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/books/defender-of-a-damaging-pseudo-science/157101.article] (See also: [[Sigmund Freud's view of religion]]).</ref><ref>[[Global atheism|Global atheism/agnosticism is declining]] and the trend of [[desecularization]] is expected to continue in the 21st century. Professor [[Eric Kaufmann]] told a secular audience in Australia: "The trends that are happening worldwide inevitably in an age of globalization are going to affect us."[http://fora.tv/2010/09/05/Eric_Kaufmann_Shall_the_Religious_Inherit_the_Earth] In the [[Western World]] and the world as a whole [[internet atheism|interest in internet atheism is declining]].</ref> ''(See also: [[Views on atheists]])''
# Sequential Art<ref>http://www.scad.edu/sequential-art/index.cfm</ref>
# Social Work<ref name="kiplinger" />
# Sociology
# Urban Planning
# Video Game Design
# [[Feminism|Women's studies]]<ref name=collegecrunch>[http://www.collegecrunch.org/advice/the-10-most-expensive-but-useless-degrees-in-americ/] College Crunch, December 2008</ref>

==Graduate programs==
#Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology<ref name=bankrate>[http://www.bankrate.com/finance/college-finance/graduate-degrees-dont-pay-off.aspx 5 Graduate Degrees That Don't Pay Off] Bankrate.com</ref>
#Computer Engineering<ref name="bankrate" />
#Fine Arts<ref name="bankrate" />
#Law (from a low-ranked, especially tier 4 law school)<ref name="bankrate" />(Note: Tier 1 = US News ranking 1-50, Tier 2 = US News Ranking 50-100, Tier 3 = US News Ranking 100-150, Tier 4 = US Nes Ranking 150-200)<ref name=Law School Advice>[http://lawschooladvice.com/law-school-tiers/]Lawschooladvice.com</ref>
#PR, Advertising & Mass-Media<ref name="bankrate" />

==Courses==
# American Indian Environmental Studies - Laurentian University
# Arguing with Judge Judy - UC Berkeley
# Contemporary American Culture: The Fifty Shades Trilogy - American University<ref>[http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Hollywood/2012/12/29/American-Univeristy-to-Offer-Course-on-Fifty-Shades-of-Grey UNIVERSITY TO OFFER COURSE STUDYING 'FIFTY SHADES OF GREY' TRILOGY, Breitbart, December 29, 2012]</ref>
# Cyber Feminism - Cornell University
# Ecology of Renewable Natural Resources - Texas Tech University<ref>[http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/courses/NRM.php Texas Tech University Course Listing]</ref>
# Emotional Literacy<ref>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1076368/Schools-councils-waste-300-000-useless-emotional-literacy-course-faraway-island-sun.html</ref>
# [[Evolution]]
# Feminist New Black Man - Occidental College<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvlL_lDk4ko Jason Mattera At CPAC, YouTube]</ref>
# Field Equipment Operation (tractor driving) - UC Davis
# Football Culture
# From DNA to ''Homo sapiens'' - MCLA
# Gaga for Lady Gaga: Sex, Gender, and Identity - University of Virginia-Charlottesville<ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/10/lady-gaga-college-class_n_712540.html</ref>
# Getting dressed - Princeton University<ref>http://www.universitynavigator.com/university-blog/most-ridiculous-courses-you-can-opt-for.html</ref>
# Hip Hop: The Politics of Culture - UC San Diego
# History of Surfing - UC Santa Barbara
# History of Weaving - UC Berkeley
# Introduction to Social Networking
# Labor Studies - UM Saint Louis & UM Kansas City<ref>[http://www.thehotjoints.com/2011/04/25/video-college-course-teaches-violent-union-tactics/ Video: College Course Teaches Violent Union Tactics, The Hot Joints, April 25, 2011]</ref>
# Media Genres (studies zombies) - University of Baltimore<ref>[http://www.aolnews.com/weird-news/article/university-of-baltimore-pop-culture-class-focuses-on-zombies/19625044?test=latestnews College Course Preps Pupils for Zombie Apocalypse, AOL News, September 9, 2010]</ref>
# Native American Feminism - University of Michigan
# Occupy the Field: Global Finance, Inequality, Social Movement - Columbia University<ref>[http://michellemalkin.com/2012/01/02/occupy-101/ Columbia University to Offer ‘Occupy 101′ Course, January 2, 2012]</ref>
# Philosophy and Star Trek – Georgetown University in Washington<ref>[http://courses.georgetown.edu/index.cfm?Action=View&CourseID=PHIL-180 Georgetown University Course Listing]</ref>
# Pilot Brewery (brewmaster) - UC Davis
# Politicizing Beyoncé - Rutgers University class from the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies<ref>[http://www.jammiewf.com/2014/higher-education-rutgers-university-offers-class-on-beyonce/ Higher Education: Rutgers University Offers Class on Beyonce, Jammie Wearing Fools, Jan 31, 2014]</ref>
# Queer Musicology – UCLA
# Revolutionary Marxism - Portland State University<ref>http://www.theblaze.com/stories/portland-state-university-offering-revolutionary-marxism-course-and-wait-until-you-see-the-syllabus/</ref>
# Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence - UC Berkeley
# Seeing with a Native Eye - Laurentian University
# Self-Esteem - Cal State Fresno
# The Colbert Report: American Satire Writing Seminar - Boston University<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cody-brotter/bu-offers-stephen-colbert_b_810122.html Class Credit for Colbert College Course, Huffington Post, January 18, 2011]</ref>
# The Science of Harry Potter – Frostburg University<ref>CBS News: ''Harry Potter Goes To College: Professor Uses Boy Wizard To Explores Links Between Magic, Science'', by Bootie Cosgrove-Mather, Sept. 26, 2003 [http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/11/19/national/main584456.shtml] ''...Frostburg State President Catherine R. Gira said she isn't worried that some may view a Harry Potter class as trivial. "Irrespective of the specific title of the course, the 'magic' in the fiction is being analyzed by applying concepts of physics, chemistry, biology and engineering. This honors course creatively packages scientific principles in a contemporary way that will interest today's students," Gira said.''</ref>
# The Mythology of Harry Potter - UCLA
# The Science of Superheroes - UC Irvine<ref>[http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/11/14/the-top-8-california-schools-that-are-like-totally-wasting-your-money/ The Top 8 California Schools that Are, Like, Totally Wasting Your Money, NewsRealBlog, November 14, 2010]</ref>
# The Simpsons and the American Family - Hampshire College
# The Sociology of Hip-Hop: The Odyssey of Jay-Z – Georgetown University<ref>[http://newsbusters.org/#ixzz1fPkYhzqX Jay-Z's street rhymes a Georgetown college course]</ref>
# The Sociology of Miley Cyrus: Race, Class, Gender, and Media - Skidmore College<ref>[http://dailycaller.com/2014/03/27/your-kids-new-college-course-the-sociology-of-miley-cyrus/#ixzz2xE9fPqF4 Your kid’s new college course: ‘The Sociology of Miley Cyrus’ DailyCaller.com, March 27, 2014]</ref>
# U.S. Race Theory & the Problem of Whiteness - Arizona State University<ref>[http://campusreform.org/?ID=6225 White professor teaches 'problem of whiteness' course at Arizona State]</ref>
# Understanding Obama - Harvard Law School<ref>http://www.theblaze.com/stories/harvard-law-offering-understanding-obama-course-taught-by-obama-mentor/</ref>
# Why Occupy Wall Street? The History and Politics of Debt and Finance - New York University<ref>[http://weaselzippers.us/2011/12/09/n-y-u-to-offer-classes-on-occupy-wall-street/ N.Y.U. To Offer Classes On Occupy Wall Street, Weasel Zippers, December 9, 2011]</ref>

==Workshops==
#Brown University workshop "The Ultimate Guide to Prostate Pleasure." <ref>[http://www.campusreform.org/blog/?ID=4668 Brown University to teach male students how to attain ‘prostate pleasure’]</ref>
#Hamilton College in New York and University of Minnesota host Orgasm workshop for female undergrad students.<ref>[http://www.campusreform.org/blog/?ID=5104 College to host orgasm workshop for female undergrads, CampusReform.com, September 25, 2013]</ref>
#Marquette University, Brown University and Columbia University to host Femsex workshop. Topics include orgasms, masturbation, sex, kink and explicit coloring books.<ref>[http://www.campusreform.org/blog/?ID=5050 Catholic college to host controversial 'Femsex' workshop with 'C--t Coloring' and 'pleasure point' CampusReform.com, September 10, 2013]</ref>
#New York University sponsors Strap-On Play, Sex Toys 101, and Oral Sex Tips, part of the bigger event called “Babeland: Queer Student Night with NYU LGBTQ Student Center.<ref>[http://www.campusreform.org/blog/?ID=5019 NYU offers ‘Strap-On Play,’ ‘Sex Toys 101’ workshops for LGBTQ students, CampusReform.com, August 27, 2013]</ref>
#University Of Arizona is to hold the Condom Olympics, students to be involved in a condom-wrapped egg toss, condom art, and a condom scavenger hunt.<ref>[http://www.ijreview.com/2014/02/115262-meanwhile-university-arizona-plans-condom-olympics/ Meanwhile, University Of Arizona Plans ‘Condom Olympics’, IJReview.com, February 15, 2014]</ref>
#University of Tennessee sponsors six-day event called 'Sex Week'. <ref>[http://radio.foxnews.com/toddstarnes/top-stories/university-of-tennessee-uses-student-fees-to-host-lesbian-bondage-expert.html University of Tennessee Uses Student Fees to Host Lesbian Bondage Expert]</ref>
#Harvard University hosts a workshop called 'What What in the Butt: Anal 101', to teach that the butthole is the greatest "equalizer"<ref>http://www.breitbart.com/tech/2017/11/08/harvard-hosts-anal-sex-workshop-entitled-what-what-in-the-butt/</ref>
#Arizona State University hosts a masturbation workshop titled "Go F--- Yourself".<ref>http://www.breitbart.com/tech/2018/01/31/arizona-state-hosts-masturbation-workshop-titled-go-fck-yourself/</ref>
#Yale hosts a workshop on the acceptance of bestiality, incest and prostitution.<ref>[http://www.campusreform.org/blog/?ID=4646 Yale hosts workshop teaching sensitivity to bestiality, CampusReform.org march 5, 2013]</ref>
== References ==
<references/>

== See also ==
*[[Academia and intellectual development]]
*[[Atheism and academia]]
*[[Atheist indoctrination]]

== External links ==
*[http://www.bankrate.com/finance/college-finance/graduate-degrees-dont-pay-off.aspx?ec_id=m1117367#slide=1 5 graduate degrees that don't pay off]
*[http://www9.georgetown.edu/grad/gppi/hpi/cew/pdfs/Unemployment.Final.update1.pdf Unemployment rates and earnings for college majors - Georgetown University report - 2012]
*[http://www9.georgetown.edu/grad/gppi/hpi/cew/pdfs/whatsitworth-complete.pdf What's It Worth? The Economic Value of College Majors] - Comprehensive report at [[Georgetown University]] website
*[http://learnfinancialplanning.com/best-worst-college-majors-degree/ Best and Worst College Majors]
*[http://www.toptenz.net/to-10-useless-college-classes-degrees.php Top 10 Useless College Degrees & Classes]
*[http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/10-college-majors-lowest-unemployment-rates-163049193.html College majors with lowest unemployment]

{{liberalism}}

[[Category:College]]
[[Category:Education]]
[[Category:Snowflakes]]

Worst College Majors

2018-07-19T16:34:30Z

AntiChicomWarrior:

The '''worst college majors''' are fields of study that leave the student with relatively few job opportunities and often a distorted or ultra-[[liberal]] view of the world. Students incur an average debt in excess of $25,000 for attending college, and these college majors can leave such students without the ability to pay off their loans, which are typically not dischargeable in bankruptcy.

Adding insult to injury, many public colleges have begun charging students more if they decline one of the Worst College Majors, and study something of value instead.<ref>http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/story/2012-04-24/differential-tuition-increase-major/54513940/1</ref> Incidentally, a study by ''USA Today'' and the non-profit Education Sector showed that 514 colleges are more likely to produce defaults in student loans than graduates.<ref>http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/07/03/514-Colleges-Have-Higher-Default-Rates-Than-Graduation-Rates</ref>

In addition, college matters less and less to employers. The number of degree-less hires is trending way up at [[Google]].<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/20/business/in-head-hunting-big-data-may-not-be-such-a-big-deal.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1& In Head-Hunting, Big Data May Not Be Such a Big Deal, NYTimes, June 19, 2013]</ref> President of the John William Pope Center for Higher Education Policy wrote in the Wall Street Journal, “Many liberal-arts graduates, even from the best schools, aren’t getting jobs in part because they didn’t learn much in school.”<ref>[http://www.forbes.com/sites/johntamny/2013/02/10/sorry-left-and-right-no-job-requires-a-college-degree/ Sorry Left AND Right, No Job Requires A College Degree, Forbes.com, February 10, 2013]</ref>

==Undergraduate majors==
# American Indian/Native/Indigenous studies
# Animal Science<ref name="kiplinger" />
# Anthropology/Archeology<ref name="yahoo1" />
# Art History<ref name=kiplinger>[http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/college/T012-S001-worst-college-majors-for-your-career/index.html] Kiplinger, May 2015</ref><ref name="collegecrunch" />
# Black studies
# Business Administration/Management<ref name=yahoo2>[http://finance.yahoo.com/news/the-10-worst-majors-for-finding-a-good-job-211340394.html] Yahoo Finance, June 2013</ref>
# Child and Family Studies<ref name="kiplinger" />
# Climatology
# Comedic Arts <ref>[http://www.hngn.com/articles/102255/20150619/emerson-college-boston-offer-comedy-major-2016.htm Emerson College in Boston to Offer Comedy Major in 2016]</ref>
# Commercial Art/Graphic Design<ref name="yahoo1" />
# Communications<ref name="collegecrunch" />
# Comparative Religion
# Creative Writing
# Criminal Justice<ref name="yahoo2" />
# Culinary Arts<ref name="kiplinger" />
# Dance<ref name="collegecrunch" /><ref name="georgetown" />
# Drama/Theater<ref name="yahoo2" /><ref name="georgetown" />
# Economics (without a numerate bias)<ref name="yahoo2" />
# English [[Literature]]/Literary Criticism<ref name="yahoo1" />
# Environmental Studies
# Exercise Science<ref name="kiplinger" />
# Fashion Design
# Film/Video<ref name="yahoo1" /><ref name=georgetown>[http://www9.georgetown.edu/grad/gppi/hpi/cew/pdfs/whatsitworth-complete.pdf What's It Worth?] Georgetown University, July 2011</ref>
# Fine Arts<ref name="yahoo1" /><ref>http://www.artcareer.net/faqs/job-market-outlook-for-artists-and-designers/</ref>
# Forestry/Range Management/Wildlife Management
# Gaming Management<ref name="cat">[http://www.umac.mo/iscg/courses/gmdiphome.html 10 Worst College Majors for Employment]</ref>
# Golf Management – University of Birmingham / Florida Gulf Coast University
# Hispanic studies
# History<ref name="yahoo1" />
# History of Music
# Horticulture<ref name="kiplinger" />
# Human Resources
# Interior Design
# Islamic Studies<ref>http://colleges.collegetoolkit.com/colleges/browse/majors/byid/islamic_studies/38.0205.aspx</ref>
# Journalism<ref>http://www.foxbusiness.com/slideshow/personal-finance/2010/06/28/worst-fields-graduates/#slide=4</ref>
# Latin<ref name="collegecrunch" />
# Leisure Studies<ref name="collegecrunch" />
# Liberal Arts<ref name=yahoo1>[http://finance.yahoo.com/news/10-worst-college-majors-143200704.html] Yahoo Finance, June 2014</ref>
# [[Homosexuality|LGBT]] studies<ref>http://www.yale.edu/lgbts/</ref><ref>http://www.lgbts.umd.edu/</ref>
# Music<ref name="kiplinger" /><ref name="yahoo1" />
# Music/Art Therapy<ref name="collegecrunch" /><ref name="georgetown" />
# Outdoor Adventure Leadership - Laurentian University
# Paralegal studies/prelaw
# Philosophy<ref name="yahoo1" /><ref>[http://www.toptenz.net/to-10-useless-college-classes-degrees.php]</ref>
# Photography<ref name="kiplinger" /><ref name="yahoo1" />
# Psychology<ref name="yahoo2" /><ref name="georgetown" />
# Physical Fitness/Education<ref name="yahoo1" /><ref name="collegecrunch" />
# Puppetry
# [[Atheism|Secularism]]<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/08/us/08secular.html Pitzer College in California Adds Major in Secularism]</ref><ref>In their book ''Encyclopedia of Social Deviance'', which was published in 2014, authors Craig J. Forsyth and ‎Heith Copes wrote: "Atheism as a subject of social science has also generally been ignored in comparison with the scholarly work on religion" (see page 41 of their book). Social Scientists are often generally reluctant to study atheists and it is considered not a great thing to have on your resume for future employment as far as graduate students (see: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB7Dlwaufyk Why is Psychology Silent When it Comes to Atheism? - Dr. Melanie Brewster - Skepticon 7], Published on Nov 27, 2014). According to the atheist Dr. Melanie Brewster, "Good peer-reviewed psychology journals are kind of hesitant to take studies on atheism."[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB7Dlwaufyk] Hunsberger was the first social scientists to do a fairly intensive look at atheists and a book on his study was published in 2006.[http://www.amazon.com/Atheists-Groundbreaking-Study-Americas-Nonbelievers/dp/1591024137] One of the great ironies of this state of affairs is that the very well-known psychiatrist [[Sigmund Freud]] was an atheist (much of his work is now considered [[pseudoscience]]).[http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/books/defender-of-a-damaging-pseudo-science/157101.article] (See also: [[Sigmund Freud's view of religion]]).</ref><ref>[[Global atheism|Global atheism/agnosticism is declining]] and the trend of [[desecularization]] is expected to continue in the 21st century. Professor [[Eric Kaufmann]] told a secular audience in Australia: "The trends that are happening worldwide inevitably in an age of globalization are going to affect us."[http://fora.tv/2010/09/05/Eric_Kaufmann_Shall_the_Religious_Inherit_the_Earth] In the [[Western World]] and the world as a whole [[internet atheism|interest in internet atheism is declining]].</ref> ''(See also: [[Views on atheists]])''
# Sequential Art<ref>http://www.scad.edu/sequential-art/index.cfm</ref>
# Social Work<ref name="kiplinger" />
# Sociology
# Urban Planning
# Video Game Design
# [[Feminism|Women's studies]]<ref name=collegecrunch>[http://www.collegecrunch.org/advice/the-10-most-expensive-but-useless-degrees-in-americ/] College Crunch, December 2008</ref>

==Graduate programs==
#Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology<ref name=bankrate>[http://www.bankrate.com/finance/college-finance/graduate-degrees-dont-pay-off.aspx 5 Graduate Degrees That Don't Pay Off] Bankrate.com</ref>
#Computer Engineering<ref name="bankrate" />
#Fine Arts<ref name="bankrate" />
#Law (from a low-ranked, especially tier 4 law school)<ref name="bankrate" />
#PR, Advertising & Mass-Media<ref name="bankrate" />

==Courses==
# American Indian Environmental Studies - Laurentian University
# Arguing with Judge Judy - UC Berkeley
# Contemporary American Culture: The Fifty Shades Trilogy - American University<ref>[http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Hollywood/2012/12/29/American-Univeristy-to-Offer-Course-on-Fifty-Shades-of-Grey UNIVERSITY TO OFFER COURSE STUDYING 'FIFTY SHADES OF GREY' TRILOGY, Breitbart, December 29, 2012]</ref>
# Cyber Feminism - Cornell University
# Ecology of Renewable Natural Resources - Texas Tech University<ref>[http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/courses/NRM.php Texas Tech University Course Listing]</ref>
# Emotional Literacy<ref>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1076368/Schools-councils-waste-300-000-useless-emotional-literacy-course-faraway-island-sun.html</ref>
# [[Evolution]]
# Feminist New Black Man - Occidental College<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvlL_lDk4ko Jason Mattera At CPAC, YouTube]</ref>
# Field Equipment Operation (tractor driving) - UC Davis
# Football Culture
# From DNA to ''Homo sapiens'' - MCLA
# Gaga for Lady Gaga: Sex, Gender, and Identity - University of Virginia-Charlottesville<ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/10/lady-gaga-college-class_n_712540.html</ref>
# Getting dressed - Princeton University<ref>http://www.universitynavigator.com/university-blog/most-ridiculous-courses-you-can-opt-for.html</ref>
# Hip Hop: The Politics of Culture - UC San Diego
# History of Surfing - UC Santa Barbara
# History of Weaving - UC Berkeley
# Introduction to Social Networking
# Labor Studies - UM Saint Louis & UM Kansas City<ref>[http://www.thehotjoints.com/2011/04/25/video-college-course-teaches-violent-union-tactics/ Video: College Course Teaches Violent Union Tactics, The Hot Joints, April 25, 2011]</ref>
# Media Genres (studies zombies) - University of Baltimore<ref>[http://www.aolnews.com/weird-news/article/university-of-baltimore-pop-culture-class-focuses-on-zombies/19625044?test=latestnews College Course Preps Pupils for Zombie Apocalypse, AOL News, September 9, 2010]</ref>
# Native American Feminism - University of Michigan
# Occupy the Field: Global Finance, Inequality, Social Movement - Columbia University<ref>[http://michellemalkin.com/2012/01/02/occupy-101/ Columbia University to Offer ‘Occupy 101′ Course, January 2, 2012]</ref>
# Philosophy and Star Trek – Georgetown University in Washington<ref>[http://courses.georgetown.edu/index.cfm?Action=View&CourseID=PHIL-180 Georgetown University Course Listing]</ref>
# Pilot Brewery (brewmaster) - UC Davis
# Politicizing Beyoncé - Rutgers University class from the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies<ref>[http://www.jammiewf.com/2014/higher-education-rutgers-university-offers-class-on-beyonce/ Higher Education: Rutgers University Offers Class on Beyonce, Jammie Wearing Fools, Jan 31, 2014]</ref>
# Queer Musicology – UCLA
# Revolutionary Marxism - Portland State University<ref>http://www.theblaze.com/stories/portland-state-university-offering-revolutionary-marxism-course-and-wait-until-you-see-the-syllabus/</ref>
# Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence - UC Berkeley
# Seeing with a Native Eye - Laurentian University
# Self-Esteem - Cal State Fresno
# The Colbert Report: American Satire Writing Seminar - Boston University<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cody-brotter/bu-offers-stephen-colbert_b_810122.html Class Credit for Colbert College Course, Huffington Post, January 18, 2011]</ref>
# The Science of Harry Potter – Frostburg University<ref>CBS News: ''Harry Potter Goes To College: Professor Uses Boy Wizard To Explores Links Between Magic, Science'', by Bootie Cosgrove-Mather, Sept. 26, 2003 [http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/11/19/national/main584456.shtml] ''...Frostburg State President Catherine R. Gira said she isn't worried that some may view a Harry Potter class as trivial. "Irrespective of the specific title of the course, the 'magic' in the fiction is being analyzed by applying concepts of physics, chemistry, biology and engineering. This honors course creatively packages scientific principles in a contemporary way that will interest today's students," Gira said.''</ref>
# The Mythology of Harry Potter - UCLA
# The Science of Superheroes - UC Irvine<ref>[http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/11/14/the-top-8-california-schools-that-are-like-totally-wasting-your-money/ The Top 8 California Schools that Are, Like, Totally Wasting Your Money, NewsRealBlog, November 14, 2010]</ref>
# The Simpsons and the American Family - Hampshire College
# The Sociology of Hip-Hop: The Odyssey of Jay-Z – Georgetown University<ref>[http://newsbusters.org/#ixzz1fPkYhzqX Jay-Z's street rhymes a Georgetown college course]</ref>
# The Sociology of Miley Cyrus: Race, Class, Gender, and Media - Skidmore College<ref>[http://dailycaller.com/2014/03/27/your-kids-new-college-course-the-sociology-of-miley-cyrus/#ixzz2xE9fPqF4 Your kid’s new college course: ‘The Sociology of Miley Cyrus’ DailyCaller.com, March 27, 2014]</ref>
# U.S. Race Theory & the Problem of Whiteness - Arizona State University<ref>[http://campusreform.org/?ID=6225 White professor teaches 'problem of whiteness' course at Arizona State]</ref>
# Understanding Obama - Harvard Law School<ref>http://www.theblaze.com/stories/harvard-law-offering-understanding-obama-course-taught-by-obama-mentor/</ref>
# Why Occupy Wall Street? The History and Politics of Debt and Finance - New York University<ref>[http://weaselzippers.us/2011/12/09/n-y-u-to-offer-classes-on-occupy-wall-street/ N.Y.U. To Offer Classes On Occupy Wall Street, Weasel Zippers, December 9, 2011]</ref>

==Workshops==
#Brown University workshop "The Ultimate Guide to Prostate Pleasure." <ref>[http://www.campusreform.org/blog/?ID=4668 Brown University to teach male students how to attain ‘prostate pleasure’]</ref>
#Hamilton College in New York and University of Minnesota host Orgasm workshop for female undergrad students.<ref>[http://www.campusreform.org/blog/?ID=5104 College to host orgasm workshop for female undergrads, CampusReform.com, September 25, 2013]</ref>
#Marquette University, Brown University and Columbia University to host Femsex workshop. Topics include orgasms, masturbation, sex, kink and explicit coloring books.<ref>[http://www.campusreform.org/blog/?ID=5050 Catholic college to host controversial 'Femsex' workshop with 'C--t Coloring' and 'pleasure point' CampusReform.com, September 10, 2013]</ref>
#New York University sponsors Strap-On Play, Sex Toys 101, and Oral Sex Tips, part of the bigger event called “Babeland: Queer Student Night with NYU LGBTQ Student Center.<ref>[http://www.campusreform.org/blog/?ID=5019 NYU offers ‘Strap-On Play,’ ‘Sex Toys 101’ workshops for LGBTQ students, CampusReform.com, August 27, 2013]</ref>
#University Of Arizona is to hold the Condom Olympics, students to be involved in a condom-wrapped egg toss, condom art, and a condom scavenger hunt.<ref>[http://www.ijreview.com/2014/02/115262-meanwhile-university-arizona-plans-condom-olympics/ Meanwhile, University Of Arizona Plans ‘Condom Olympics’, IJReview.com, February 15, 2014]</ref>
#University of Tennessee sponsors six-day event called 'Sex Week'. <ref>[http://radio.foxnews.com/toddstarnes/top-stories/university-of-tennessee-uses-student-fees-to-host-lesbian-bondage-expert.html University of Tennessee Uses Student Fees to Host Lesbian Bondage Expert]</ref>
#Harvard University hosts a workshop called 'What What in the Butt: Anal 101', to teach that the butthole is the greatest "equalizer"<ref>http://www.breitbart.com/tech/2017/11/08/harvard-hosts-anal-sex-workshop-entitled-what-what-in-the-butt/</ref>
#Arizona State University hosts a masturbation workshop titled "Go F--- Yourself".<ref>http://www.breitbart.com/tech/2018/01/31/arizona-state-hosts-masturbation-workshop-titled-go-fck-yourself/</ref>
#Yale hosts a workshop on the acceptance of bestiality, incest and prostitution.<ref>[http://www.campusreform.org/blog/?ID=4646 Yale hosts workshop teaching sensitivity to bestiality, CampusReform.org march 5, 2013]</ref>
== References ==
<references/>

== See also ==
*[[Academia and intellectual development]]
*[[Atheism and academia]]
*[[Atheist indoctrination]]

== External links ==
*[http://www.bankrate.com/finance/college-finance/graduate-degrees-dont-pay-off.aspx?ec_id=m1117367#slide=1 5 graduate degrees that don't pay off]
*[http://www9.georgetown.edu/grad/gppi/hpi/cew/pdfs/Unemployment.Final.update1.pdf Unemployment rates and earnings for college majors - Georgetown University report - 2012]
*[http://www9.georgetown.edu/grad/gppi/hpi/cew/pdfs/whatsitworth-complete.pdf What's It Worth? The Economic Value of College Majors] - Comprehensive report at [[Georgetown University]] website
*[http://learnfinancialplanning.com/best-worst-college-majors-degree/ Best and Worst College Majors]
*[http://www.toptenz.net/to-10-useless-college-classes-degrees.php Top 10 Useless College Degrees & Classes]
*[http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/10-college-majors-lowest-unemployment-rates-163049193.html College majors with lowest unemployment]

{{liberalism}}

[[Category:College]]
[[Category:Education]]
[[Category:Snowflakes]]