Chinese history

Chinese have been living in China for more than 5,000 years. It can be traced back to Xia in 2200 BC and at 1911 AD, Puyi of Qing, who was the last emperor ruling China. In the past history before World War II, there are seven important dynasties in China history.
Qin	221-207BC	Chinese State with basic social structure established. One written language confirmed. Great Wall constructed
Han	206BC-220AD	Establishment of state government, military and border. Great influence to its neighbors.
Tan	618-907	A period of prosperity with blossom of the arts, dance, music, religions and international trade
Song	960-1279	Agriculture and economic expansion. Centralized officer examination. Marco Polo's visit to China.
Yuen	1271-1368	Mongol reign expanded China into the largest country in the world history
Ming	1368-1644	Reunified and built China into a strong maritime nation. Fleet reached far to Middle East and Africa.
Qing	1644-1911	Reigned by Manchuria and border secured as China has today. China was invaded by G8 in late 19th and early 20th century.
The first half of this century was a period of civil war and foreign invasion. China finally becomes a stable country again only after the formation of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949. Since then, National Republican supported by America governs Taiwan and Communist China has the Mainland China. Hong Kong was a British colony until July 1, 1997, Macao will be returned from Portuguese back to China on December 20, 19999. Diaoyu Tai is now still occupied by Japan since America unitarily signed off the island to Japan at the end of second world war.. Republic of China (1911-now) - the first republican government in China and in 1949 it retreated to Taiwan. People's Republic of China (1949-now) - Communist China. Reformed started since late 70 and achieved rapid growth. For more historical details, please click on Fact Sheet above The four Chinese inventions - paper, compass, gunpowder and printing The Invention of Paper Pictures of four ancient inventions Paper history Chinese invention