Officially known as the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is a unitary sovereign in East Asia and is the most populous country in the world. It is also one of the largest countries and has the most neighboring countries worldwide. The Communist Party in China exercises its jurisdiction over 22 provinces, five autonomous regions, and maintains control over four direct controlled municipalities. It also has control over the special administrative regions of Macau and Hong Kong.

Since the economic reforms of 1978, China has been one of the fastest growing and most profitable economies in the world. Its stronghold on the electronic-market, foreign imports and exports, and trade-power internationally, make it the world’s second largest economy by GDP (as of 2016). It also has the largest purchasing power parity (PPP) in the world. China also has the largest standing army in the world, and is highly recognized as a nuclear weapons state; the nation also has the second largest defense fund in the world.

The government of the People’s Republic of China is spread across several state organizations:

• The National People’s Congress and it’s Standing Committee
• The President and the Vice-President
• The State Council, or Central People’s Government
• The military, including the People’s Liberation Army and the People’s Armed Police, and the Central Military Commission with a Chairman who is Commander-in-chief
• The National Supervisory Commission
• The Judicial Branch, consisting of the Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate

Legal power is given to the Communist Party by the PRC Constitution, and it has comprehensive control of the state, military and media.

China a member of World Trade Organization, APEC, Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), BCIM, BRICS, and G20. China has suffered from severe environmental deterioration and pollution in recent years. Urban air pollution is just one of the major health issues in the country. The country is also the world’s largest carbon dioxide emitter, and severe water pollution is also a major concern in China.

On the flip side, China is the world’s leading renewable energy producer. It invests heavily in renewable energy projects, such as hydroelectric and wind-power. The country is the largest hydroelectric producer in the world, and has the largest capacity of installed solar panel systems worldwide.

China has diplomatic relations with 175 countries around the world, with embassies in 162 of these countries. China has played an increasing role in calling free trade areas and security pacts in Asia in recent years. In 2000, the US approved permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) with China, which allowed exports into the US, at the low rate which other countries paid.

The National Law Review covers news and the latest legislative developments in China. M&A transaction deals, limits on import/export with the US  including US and China Trade over solar panels. Foreign relations stories, new regulations dealing with manufacturing, and stories covering the health industry are also covered by the National Law Review. Visitors will find the latest news on foreign relations and the Chinese government online.