Table of Contents

Foreword 
Geography and Civilization of China 
Geography and Climate Features 
Geographical Environment and Inward Movement 
Origin of the Word 'China' 
Different Parts of China 
Primitive Chinese Civilization 
Unification of China in History 
Continuity of Chinese History 
Formation of the Ancient Country 
First Unification and Separation of China 
Chinese Empire Reunified and Split Again 
Third Reunification of Chinese Empire 
A Multi-ethnic Country 
Traditional Ideology, Culture and Society 
Confucianism and the Orthodox 
Traditional Ideology, Culture and Society 
Introduction of Buddhism 
Basic Spirits of Traditional Thought and Culture 
Society Steeped in Traditional Thoughts and Culture 
National Character Shaped by Traditional Thoughts and Culture 
Exchanges Between Ancient Chinese and Foreign Culture 
Developed Country of the Agricultural Civilization Era 
Progress in Agriculture and Development of the Handicraft Industry 
Top-Ranking Technologies 
Sound Political, Legal and Official Selecting System 
Language and Characters 
Incomparable Achievements in Literature 
Unique Artistic Style 
Colorful Social Life 
End of Feudal Power and Establishment of a Modern Country
Closed Doors and the Decline of the, Qing Court 
Disasters Brought by Opium 
Seeking for Self-improvement 
Establishment of a Modern Country System 
New Cultural Enlightenment Movement 
Ups and Downs of National Revolutionary Movements 
Founding of the PRC Led by the CPC 
Endeavors of the PRC and Reform and Opening-Up 
Starting from Scratch 
Setbacks and Mistakes in Exploration 
Reform Injecting Vigor and Vitality 
into Socio-Economic Development 
Opening to the Outside World 
Creating a New Miracle in Economic and Social Development
Building a Democratic Country Under the Rule of Law 
Largest Developing Country in the World 
Huge Burden of Population 
Disparity and Imbalance in Development 
Conflict Between Economic Development and Resources Environment 
Scientific Outlook on Development 
Building a Harmonious Society 
Beautiful China Dream 
Two Century Goals 
China Dream Has Rich Connotations 
'Five-in-One' Blueprint for Development 
Deepening Reform Comprehensively 
China and the World in the Era of Economic Globalization 
Joining the Process of Economic Globalization 
Bringing New Opportunities for Development to the World 
A Responsible Developing Big Country 
New Diplomatic Ideas and Image 
Inheritance and Development of Tradition

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China has numerous rivers. Principle among these are the Yangtze River,ranking first in terms of length and water volume, the Yellow River, Pearl River and Heilongjiang River. Whereas rivers in Central Asia and North America tend to flow either north to south or south to north, Chinese rivers, due to the terraced topography mentioned earlier, mainly flow from the West to the East or Southeast. There is also a significant drop in elevation during a river's course,resulting in tremendous water resources. 
China's territory extends south of the Tropic of Cancer from 50 degrees of northern latitude. As a consequence of this vast size, its climate is wonderfully diverse, although the majority exhibits temperate, warm and subtropical zones with a generally mild range of temperature and four distinct seasons. The greater part of China's territory, an area approximately the size of the United States of America, lies at a degree of latitude to the south of Europe. The continental monsoon climate is the major feature of the Chinese weather system. During the summer months the southeast wind leads to higher temperatures than are experienced in other parts of the world at similar latitudes. On the other hand,owing to the severe north wind, this same area is both drier and colder in winter,with a lower mean temperature than at the same latitude elsewhere. 
As the cooler continental air currents meet the moister air currents over the Chinese landmass, a great deal of rainfall is the inevitable result. In the southeastarea covering the Huaihe River, the Qinling Mountain Range and the QinghaiTibet Plateau, the annual precipitation is over 800 mm in its east and south; the annual precipitation is less than800 mm in its north and west.