Population: 1,298,847,624 (July 2004 est.)

Capital: Beijing

Chief of State:
President Hu Jintao (since 15 March 2003)
Vice President ZENG Qinghong (since 15 March 2003)

Languages:
Standard Chinese or Mandarin, Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghaiese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects