Revision as of 22:53, 5 May 2014

Basic Info

Country Name

long form: People's Republic of China short form: China abbreviation: PRC local short form: Zhong Guo local long form: Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo

What the People are Called

noun, singular: Chinese noun, plural: Chinese adjective: Chinese

Ethnic Groups

Han Chinese (92%), Zhuang, Uygur, Hui, Yi, Tibetan, Miao, Manchu, Mongol, Buyi, Korean, and other nationalities (8%).

U.S. Embassy

Embassy of the United States of America American Citizen Services 3 Xiu Shui Dong Jie Beijing 100600 People's Republic of China

Tel: (86) 10-6532 3831 Fax: (86) 10-6532 6929

Web site: http://www.usembassy-china.org.cn/

Canadian Embassy

Canadian Embassy 19 Dongzhimenwai Dajie Chao Yang District Beijing 100600 People's Republic of China

Tel: (86) 10-6532-3536 Fax: (86) 10-6532-4311 (general) Fax: (86) 10 - 6532-1684 (visas, immigration)

Web site: http://www.beijing.gc.ca/splash/bj-splash.htm

Money

1 Renminbi Yuan (RMBY) = 10 chiao/jiao or 100 fen (currency conversion)

Time Zone

GMT +8 (Beijing time is standard for all of China) (What's GMT?)

Phone/Internet info:

Country Area Code: 86

There are Internet cafes in main towns.

Mobile phone coverage varies, but is available (GSM 900 and 1800 networks). International calling cards also provide a way to contact (calling to or from the U.S.). You may want to consider renting a compatible phone and service plan.

Major Languages Spoken

Standard Chinese or Mandarin, Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghaiese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, and other minority languages.

Note that although Mandarin is the official language, it is certainly not spoken everywhere and it is recommended that adopting parents wait until they have their referral and child's province before purchasing bilingual children's books, phrase books, and so forth.

Alphabet

The written language is significantly different than English letters: See it here.

Major holidays

Public holidays 2004 Jan 01-02 - New Year's Day holiday Jan 22-24 - Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) Apr - last two weeks (usually): Spring Trade Fair in Guangzhou (makes it difficult to find hotel rooms, etc.) May 01-03 - International Labor Day Oct 01-03 - National Day Oct - last two weeks (usually): Fall Trade Fair in Guangzhou (makes it difficult to find hotel rooms, etc.)