How would you define China? By its government, its geography, or its people? Spanning over 5,000 illustrious years, China is one of the Four Ancient Civilisations. But having gone through "a century of national humiliation" from the 19th to the 20th centuries, how did China overcome all the obstacles and struggles to go from a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society to a superpower with the second largest economy in the world? To understand how the PRC has evolved into an economic powerhouse, a model for rapid modernisation, and a responsible geopolitical participant, you must learn its history. Book highlights include: • Over 200 images, diagrams, or maps • Provides a critical viewpoint to understand the most important events in Chinese history. • A balanced and thoughtful account of the development of Chinese civilization from its beginnings to the present day