The Rise of China

China is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. For much of the 1900s, many Chinese people lived in poverty. Starting in the late 1970s, China began making big changes. Today, China is one of the largest and most powerful economies on Earth.

China's Transformation

In 1978, a leader named Deng Xiaoping started opening China to the world. Factories were built, and trade with other countries grew. Millions of people moved from farms to cities for new jobs. China's economy grew very fast for many decades.

China Today

China makes many of the products used around the world. It has built modern cities, fast trains, and a space program. China has the largest population of any country. It plays a big role in world trade, science, and technology.

Fun Facts

• China's economy has grown more than 40 times larger since 1978.
• China has the world's fastest bullet trains, reaching speeds over 200 miles per hour.
• More than 800 million people in China were lifted out of poverty in just 40 years.

Did You Know?

China builds the most skyscrapers in the world, with new tall buildings going up every year.