CHINA

Geography

China is situated in eastern Asia on the western shore of the Pacific Ocean, with an area of 9.6 million square kilometres. China's continental coastline extends for about 18,000 kilometres, and its vast sea surface is studded with more than 5,000 islands, of which Taiwan and Hainan are the largest.

China's land drops off in escarpments eastward to the ocean, letting in humid air current and leading many rivers eastward. Among the rivers totalling 220,000 kilometres in length in China, the Yangtze and Yellow are world known.

China has beautiful scenery, with mountains and ranges, highlands, plains, basins, and hills. The highlands and hilly regions account for 69 percent of the country's total land mass. The world's highest mountain Qomolangma (Mount Everest), 8,848 meters above sea level, is located on the border between China and Nepal. The lowest point of China is in Turpan Basin, 155 meters below sea level.

China is characterized by a continental monsoon climate. The latitude spans nearly 50 degrees. The majority of the territory situates in the temperature zone, while the southern part in the tropical and subtropical zones and the northern part near the Frigid Zone. Temperatures therefore differ rather strikingly across the country.

China abounds in natural resources. It leads the world in many proven mineral deposits. China also has the world's most complex biodiversity. No other country boasts more wildlife than China. Giant panda, snub-nosed golden monkey and Chinese alligator, dawn redwood and Cathaya Argyrophylla are some well-known species among them. And China has already established more than 700 nature reserves.

History

China, with a recorded history of 5,000 years, is one of the world's earliest civilizations. In the 21st century. B.C. China entered slave society with the founding of the Xia Dynasty, thereby writing a finale to long years of primitive society. The Xia was followed by the Shang and Western Zhou Dynasties; then came the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, which encompassed the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods.

In 221 B.C. Qin Shihuang established China's first centralized autocracy, the Qin Dynasty, thereby ushering Chinese history into feudalism, which endured in a succession of dynasties such as the Han, Tang, Song. Yuan, Ming, and Qing, until the Opium War of 1840.

The economy and science and technology were relatively well developed in ancient China. During the Shang Dynasty some 3,000 years ago, the Chinese had mastered the art of bronze metallurgy, and invented iron implements; Many distinguished thinkers, scientists, artists and writers world civilization of ancient China's four inventions; Papermaking, printing, powder, and the compass, as well as remarkable achievements in mathematics, medical science, astronomy, agriculture, and architecture, are universally recognized.

The Bourgeois Democratic Revolution of 1911 led by Sun Yat-sen toppled the rule of the Qing Dynasty, put and end to more than 2,000 years of feudal monarchical system and culminated in the establishment of the provisional government of the republic of China. The People's Republic of China was founded in 1949.

Other Basics

Population China, as the world's most populous country, has a population exceeding 1.2 billion. However, the population growth dropped down greatly since the country followed a family planning policy since the 1970s.

National Income China is the world's largest developing country. With the adoption of economic reform and opening to the outside world's policy in late 1970s, the economy grew rapidly in the past 25 years. GDP per capital in 2003 is nearly US$1,000.

Ethnic Groups China is a multiracial county with 56 ethnic groups. The Han people account for 92 percent of the population. No matter how big or small the population is, all peoples share equal rights.

Religion China is a multi-religious country. Taoism, Buddhism, Islamism, Catholicism and Christianity have all developed in this country. Freedom of belief is a government policy, and normal religious activities are protected by the Constitution.

Language and Character Chinese is commonly used in modern China. It is one of the five working languages designated by the United Nations. The majority of the 55 minority groups have their own languages. As a written language, Chinese has been used for 6,000 years.

Administrative Divisions China's administrative units are currently based on a four-level system dividing the nation into provinces, prefectures, counties and townships. Beijing is the capital of People's Republic of China. A centre of politics, economy and culture, Beijing has been developed into world-class metropolis in which the modern world is blended harmoniously with the glory of an imperial past.

HONGZHOU

Brief Introduction of Hangzhou

Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province in east China, lies close to the mouth of the Qiantang River at the western end of the Gulf of Hangzhou.

Hangzhou was a small fishing village until late in the sixth century, when the extension of the Grand Canal southward from the Yangzi led to the development of a busy commercial center in the town. It prospered, especially during the peaceful early period of the Tang Dynasty. Its growth was assisted by the development of the lower Yangzi area into the nation's most important agricultural region.

Hangzhou underwent dramatic development when the Song Dynasty, pushed south by the conquering Jin, established its capital there. In a short space of 100 years, the population grew to almost a million and the town flourished as a major trading center. Although the city was partly destroyed by the invading Mongols in the late 13th-century, it appeared impressive to Marco Polo when the famous Italian traveler visited the city shortly afterwards. According to Marco Polo, Hangzhou was "without doubt the finest and most splendid city the world... there are said to be 13,000 bridges, mostly of stone... vast are the numbers of those accustomed to dainty living, to the point of eating fish and meat at one meal."

As for the West Lake, Marco Pole wrote: "On one side it skirts the city... and commands a distant view of all its grandeur and loveliness, its temples, monasteries, and gardens with their towering trees, running down to the water's edge. On the lake itself is the endless procession of barges thronged with pleasure-seekers... their minds and thoughts are intent upon nothing but bodily pleasures and the delights of society."

Today, the city remains renowned for its beauty, which some claim is unsurpassed in China; and although some of the historic buildings have been destroyed, the archaeological attractions that remain are still impressive. Many sections of the town have not changed for centuries, while the famous West Lake region retains its reputation as one of the most beautiful spots in China, with landscaped gardens on its banks, tree-shaded walks, and in the nearby hills, temples, pagodas, and monasteries

WEST LAKE

Hangzhou's fame rests mainly with the picturesque West Lake, so named because it is located in its western fringe. Covering about four square miles, West Lake is surrounded on three sides by rolling wood hills. At the center are three isles--Lesser Yingzhou, Mid-lake Pavilion and Ruangong Isle. Solitary Hill stands by itself on the northern lakeshore. It can be reached from the city by Bai Causeway, with Su Causeway bisects the lake from north to south. The blue, often rippling, water is dotted with elegant stone bridges and charming pavilions.

OTHER INFO

CURRENCY AND OTHER MONEY-RELATED ISSUES

The money unit used in China is the Renminbi (RMB) yuan. The subsidiary units are the jiao. One yuan equals ten jiao. Yuan and jiao are issued in both in bills and in coins. Chinese currency is issued in the following denominations; one, two, five, ten, twenty, fifty and a hundred yuan; and one, two and five jiao, the symbol for RMB is ¥ .

RMB is pegged to US dollars. The present exchange rate is about US$1= ¥ 8.28, with minor fluctuations. The daily exchange rate is issued by the State Administration of Exchange Control. Major convertible currencies can be converted into RMB. A foreign traveller may have the remaining amount of RMB converted back into foreign cash and brought out of China within six months prior to departure from China, upon presentation of a foreign-currency conversion receipt.

The circulation of foreign currencies and the settling of accounts with foreign currencies are forbidden in the People's Republic of China. All expenditures in China must be settled with RMB. The Bank of China and other designated Chinese banks can convert foreign traveller's checks and cash in foreign currencies into RMB. These banks can also issue RMB against foreign credit cards. Many hotels, restaurants and stores in China also provide foreign exchange service.

The following foreign credit cards are accepted in China: Master, Visa, American Express, JCB, and Diner. These cardholders can draw cash at the Bank of China or use the cards for payment in stores, restaurants, and hotels designated by the Bank of China.

The Bank of China can cash traveller's checks sold by international commercial banks and traveller's-check companies in the United States, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Britain, France, Switzerland, and Germany.

ELECTRICITY

The electric current in China is 220V (50 Hz), but the bathrooms of many luxury and medium-grade hotels also have 110-volt sockets. Plugs and sockets mostly conform to multi standards. However, participants from the continental countries of the European Union and some Asian countries like Malaysia may need plug adapters for electrical appliances under some circumstances.

INSURANCE

The conference organizers cannot accept liability for personal injuries sustained, for loss of, or damage to property belonging to conference participants (or their accompanying persons), either during or as a result of the congress. Please check the validity of your own insurance.

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