Essay Examples on China Essay Example

Essay Examples on China Paper 1st Essay Sample on China Chinas Three Gorges: Before the Flood Chinas Three Gorges Dam is the largest project in history since The Great Wall. When the dam is completed twelve years from now, it will be the most powerful dam ever built. The dam will stand 607 feet high and more than a mile wide., equivalent to 18 nuclear power plants. At peak load, 26 turbines will generate 18,200 megawatts of electricity It will create a reservoir 370 miles long, with a system of locks designed to bring prosperity through maritime commerce to Chinas interior( Zich 8). Many of the inhabitants of the Yangtze River will be forced from their ancestral homes and farms. Many of the cities along the rivers bank will be devastated. Half the people destined to be moved are farmers. The reservoir will take up as many as 240,000 acres of farmland. Some of the inhabitants of the region are in favor of the dam and believe it will help future generations, while others believe the dam will destroy much of the cultural and historical value of the area. Archaeologists estimate that some 8,000 unexcavated sites will be lost forever in a tomb of water and sediment. ( Zich 20) The Yangtze River has shaped the landscape of China over of the centuries and has created different cultural and territorial boundaries. The river and tributaries encompass over 700,000 square miles. The river divides China into northern and southern regions. It separates cultural and religious differences and matters as simple as culinary tastes. The Three Gorges region represents one of the true seats of Chinese civilization. In this region history intersects with myth. The river and the region have many religious and metaphorical connotations. The gorges were supposedly created by a folk hero, Yu. Withthe help of a troop of dragons, reconfigured Chinas hills and valleys to drain the land and make it habitable for humans. 2nd Essay Sample on China We will write a custom essay sample on Essay Examples on China specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Essay Examples on China specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Essay Examples on China specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer  · It is the essence of why people believe as they do and act as they do and give importance to things as they do. General Characteristics of Chinese culture: 1. Tied to highly developed agriculture which confined itself almost exclusively to the plains and valleys — mountains are scarcely utilized; 2. A complex form of political organization which were the most highly perfected in the history of human societies; 4. Man-nature relationship: harmony with nature. o reject the positive distinction between mind and matter o the idea of order as an organic totality 5. Human nature: Innate goodness of human nature. 6. Past-time orientation: Ancestor worship, strong family tradition 7. Relational orientation: collectivism. Third largest in the world (after Russia and Canada)  · The People’s Republic of China (PRC) ; The Republic of China (ROC, Taiwan) ; 3 independent municipalities (Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin) ; Tibet: a barren plateau well above sea level surrounded by formidable mountain passes ; Sinkiang: Chinese Turkestan, partly desert, partly bleak grassy plateau ; Inner Mongolia: a region north of the Great Wall, only marginally usable for agriculture ; Manchuria: fertile basin in the northeast o North China: Highland zone in the West mostly covered with loess (Kansu, Shensi, Shansi), lowland plain in the center(Hopei, Honan, and parts of Shantung, Anhwei, and Kiangsu), and the Shandung promontory. The largest plain in China (North China Plain) o South China: Rain forest in the south-west to small hilly regions in the south-east. rugged terrain, many small to medium-sized valleys. Plains along rivers and lakes. ; The Yellow River (China’s Sorrow, Cradle of Chinese civilizatio n)  · The Han Chinese today form the most important group. Another Essay Sample on China Engagement and Human Rights in China With the great advancement of China’s economy and foreign trade relations within the last twenty years, one cannot help notice a simultaneous increase in Chinese human rights.Naturally, the question of whether the rights have stemmed from trade relations or the trade relations have developed out of greater human rights in China has come up for debate.The prevalent view of the country’s stance is that foreign nations’ humanitarian concerns for China have resulted from the obligations of all the investors in China.In other words, the human rights issue has been used as a bargaining chip by other countries after developing a strong economic tie.China has considered the fulfillment of basic economic needs a priority over the amendment of human rights abuses.This position has allowed China to further its economic ties, but at the same time, has allowed for neglect in the human rights sector that China still struggles to overcome. China has spent over twenty years focused on its goal of building a strong economy.The drive for economic growth replaced the revolutionary zeal advocated for so long by Mao Zedong, and obvious changes have resulted from this new motivation.Despite the instability of thefirst few years after 1979, a cautious economic optimism has prevailed.The huge trade deficits of 1981 and 1982 have led to some conscious efforts in the early 1980s at strengthening the economy–namely, a cut back on investments, a termination of expensive foreign contracts, a slimming of the domestic budget, and a replacement of the trade deficit by strong export policies.These early actions helped prompt a trade surplus of $6.2 billion in 1982 and $5.3 billion in 1983 (Spence 663).Also, China’s potential for trade relations was evident by a total foreign investment of $910 million in 1983 and $1.05 billion in international loans (Spence 668). Another Essay Sample on china China is the 4th largest country in the world.China is located in eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam.China is slightly smaller than the United States.About a fifth of all the worlds population lives in China.China covers a fifth of Asia.About 75 percent of the Chinese people live in small villages. Most of the Chinese people live crowded together in about a third of the countrys total area.This third of China includes 7 of the worlds 50 largest cities, thousands of towns and villages, and countless farms. Chinas terrain is mostly mountains, high plateaus, and deserts in the Western portion, deltas, and hills on the Eastern side.The lowest point in China is, Turpan Pendi, which is 154 meters above sea level.The Highest point in China is, Mount Everest, which is 8,848 meters above sea level. The climate in China is extremely diverse; tropical in the South to sub arctic in the North.Chinas climate is g reatly affected seasonal winds called monsoons.In winter monsoons carry cold air from Asia across China toward the sea.In summer it is the total opposite the monsoons carry warm, wet air from the sea inland across China.Summer climates in China average 80 degrees F. over much of China, except in the high mountains of Tibet and in the deserts.The Gobi desert has highs as high as 100 degrees F. in July.January temperatures in the Gobi desert often fall as low as-30 degrees F.Inland temperatures average 20 degrees F. in January over much of North and Central China. China is a leading producer of many crops.No nation grows as much rice as China does.China also leads the world in tobacco production.It has the worlds second largest vegetable crop.China is also the third largest producer of corn, cotton, tea, and wheat. China exports $183. Another Essay Sample on china China is the 4th largest country in the world.China is located in eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam.China is slightly smaller than the United States.About a fifth of all the worlds population lives in China.China covers a fifth of Asia.About 75 percent of the Chinese people live in small villages. Most of the Chinese people live crowded together in about a third of the countrys total area.This third of China includes 7 of the worlds 50 largest cities, thousands of towns and villages, and countless farms. Chinas terrain is mostly mountains, high plateaus, and deserts in the Western portion, deltas, and hills on the Eastern side.The lowest point in China is, Turpan Pendi, which is 154 meters above sea level.The Highest point in China is, Mount Everest, which is 8,848 meters above sea level. The climate in China is extremely diverse; tropical in the South to sub arctic in the North.Chinas climate is g reatly affected seasonal winds called monsoons.In winter monsoons carry cold air from Asia across China toward the sea.In summer it is the total opposite the monsoons carry warm, wet air from the sea inland across China.Summer climates in China average 80 degrees F. over much of China, except in the high mountains of Tibet and in the deserts.The Gobi desert has highs as high as 100 degrees F. in July.January temperatures in the Gobi desert often fall as low as-30 degrees F.Inland temperatures average 20 degrees F. in January over much of North and Central China. China is a leading producer of many crops.No nation grows as much rice as China does.China also leads the world in tobacco production.It has the worlds second largest vegetable crop.China is also the third largest producer of corn, cotton, tea, and wheat. China exports $183. Another Essay Sample on china The Great Encounters of China and the West from 1500 – 1800 For three centuries, between 1500 and 1800, Europe and China experienced extensive contact, which had enormous influence on both cultures.The greatness of Chinese and European cultures was demonstrated by their ability to influence large areas of the world.While the influence was never equal in both directions, there was always at least some type of influence flowing in both directions, so that the movement was never entirely flowing one way.Similar tactics of cultural borrowing and assimilation were apparent in both directions.During the Enlightenment, Europe used Confucianism to support its goal of placing Christianity into Chinese culture.Chinas literati used Christianity as well, as an attempt to remove Buddhist and Daoist influences from Confucian teachings.These three centuries saw a strong flow of influence from China to Europe, increasing European admiration for China within the time period. Thefirst substant ive encounter between China and the West began when the Portuguese entered Southern China in the early 1500s.Many Chinese, including some of the most creative thinkers of that time, responded to the information and teachings brought by the Europeans.The mission of the Jesuits had to be specialized for the uniqueness of the culture in China.Certain elements of the Chinese must be accepted by the Europeans in order for the Christian faith to be inculturated there. A blend of Confucianism and Christianity was created in order to criticize Buddhism and Daoism to successfully convert prominent scholar officials.The Jesuit had atop-down approach in converting prominent scholar officials.The Jesuits concentrated on converting the most powerful and influential peoplefirst so that they could influence lesser individuals to follow their example. Another Essay Sample on china The Great Encounters of China and the West from 1500 – 1800 For three centuries, between 1500 and 1800, Europe and China experienced extensive contact, which had enormous influence on both cultures.The greatness of Chinese and European cultures was demonstrated by their ability to influence large areas of the world.While the influence was never equal in both directions, there was always at least some type of influence flowing in both directions, so that the movement was never entirely flowing one way.Similar tactics of cultural borrowing and assimilation were apparent in both directions.During the Enlightenment, Europe used Confucianism to support its goal of placing Christianity into Chinese culture.Chinas literati used Christianity as well, as an attempt to remove Buddhist and Daoist influences from Confucian teachings.These three centuries saw a strong flow of influence from China to Europe, increasing European admiration for China within the time period. Thefirst substant ive encounter between China and the West began when the Portuguese entered Southern China in the early 1500s.Many Chinese, including some of the most creative thinkers of that time, responded to the information and teachings brought by the Europeans.The mission of the Jesuits had to be specialized for the uniqueness of the culture in China.Certain elements of the Chinese must be accepted by the Europeans in order for the Christian faith to be inculturated there. A blend of Confucianism and Christianity was created in order to criticize Buddhism and Daoism to successfully convert prominent scholar officials.The Jesuit had atop-down approach in converting prominent scholar officials.The Jesuits concentrated on converting the most powerful and influential peoplefirst so that they could influence lesser individuals to follow their example.