High Five

Annual GDP: US$1.2 trillion
Growth, 3-year avg.: 7.8%
Forecast, 2004: 8.5%

Currency: yuan
Value, March 2004: C$0.16
Value, March 2003: C$0.18

Major industries: Textiles and clothing, toys, lower-end IT equipment, electronics and machinery

Capital: Beijing
Official language: Mandarin, spoken by 80% of population
Other major languages: Cantonese, Gan, Hakka, Minbei, Minnan, Wu, Xiang
Visa required?

Caves of Mystery

at Huashan, Anhui province, southeast China

Discovered only in 2001, these 36 underground caves feature pillars, walls, ceilings and floors chiseled flat by humans at least 1,500 years ago. The mystery lies in the purpose and techniques behind the monumental endeavor. — SL

Hello. Do you speak English?

Ni hao. Ni shuo Yingwen ma?

Thank you [very much].

[Fei chang] xiexie ni.

May I have a fork and knife?

Wo keyi yao yige chazi gen yige daozi ma?