ECONOMIC PROGRESS (1995-2000)

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS The nation is divided in Provinces, Autonomous Regions and Municipalities. There are a total of 23 provinces, 5 autonomous regions, 4 municipalities and 2 Special Administrative Regions - Hong Kong and Macao. For the locations of these administrative divisions, please refer to the MAP OF CHINA.

Notes:
* Municipalities are directly under the administration of the central government. A municipality has the same political, economical and jurisdictional rights as a province;
** Two Special Administrative Regions (SAR) were established specially designed for solving Hong Kong and Macao issues and based on the concept of "one country, two systems", SAR is in a pattern within which two completely different social systems (socialist system and capitalist system) and ideologies can coexist, SAR has more autonomous power regulated clearly by laws, including executive, legislative and independent judicial power.

MAIN PORTS OF ENTRY
Air: Beijing, Chengdu, Dalian, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Harbin, Hohhot, Hong Kong, Kunming, Qingdao, Shanghai, Shenyang, Tianjin, Urumqi, Xiamen and Xi'an haave international air links.

Land: Alataw, Baketu, Erenhot, Friendship Pass, Hunchun, Ji'an, Kunjirap, Manzhouli, Mohe, Nyalam (Zhangmu), Pingxiang, Ruili, Suifenhe, Tumen, Wanding, Xunke and Yadong.

Water: Beihai, Dalian, Dangdong, Guangzhou, Haikou, Hankou, Huangpu, Jiujiang, Lianyungang, Nanjing, Ningbo, Qingdao, Qinhuangdao, Sanya, Shanghai, Shantou, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Weihai, Yangzhou, Yantai, Zhangjiang and Zhenjiang.

STATE ORGANIZATIONS:
The National People's Congress (NPC)
The President of the People's Republic of China
The State Council The Central Military Commission
The Supreme People's Court
The Supreme People's Procurator ate

ARMED FORCE: The People's Liberation Army (PLA)

THE RULING PARTY: The Communist Party of China (CPC)

THE PRESIDENT: Jiang Zemin

OFFICIAL HOLIDAYS:
New Year's Day: January 1
Chinese Lunar New Year's Day: (Between January and February (The exact date varies, depends on the Lunar Calendar, Chinese New Year's Day in 2001 is on January 24. The year of 2000 is the Year of Snake in Chinese calendar.);
International Working Women's Day (March 8th)
Arbor Day (March 12th)
International Labor Day: May 1;
Chinese Youth Day (May 4th)
International Children's Day (June 1st)
Army Day (August 1st)
Teachers' Day (September 10th)
National Day: October 1

The official working days are from Monday to Friday. Most people do not work on weekends. Official hours are from 8:00am to 17:00pm with one hour for lunch.