China Produces About Half of the World's Steel

Wu Zetian (624–705 AD) is the only woman in Chinese history to assume the title of Empress Regnant, ruling China in her own name from 690 to 705. She rose from court concubine to empress consort under Emperor Taizong, then effectively ruled through her husband Emperor Gaozong, and finally seized power outright. Under her reign, Tang China expanded its territory, and she reformed the civil service examination to favor talent over aristocratic birth, recruiting brilliant officials regardless of background.

Despite spanning approximately five geographic time zones, China uses a single standard time — Beijing Standard Time (UTC+8). This was imposed in 1949 after the founding of the People's Republic to promote national unity. As a result, in western regions like Xinjiang, the sun may not rise until 10 AM and set as late as midnight in summer.

China accounts for about 30% of global CO₂ emissions — more than the US and EU combined. Yet it also leads the world in installed renewable energy capacity, with the most solar panels, wind turbines, and hydropower of any nation. China manufactures over 80% of the world's solar panels and has pledged to reach carbon neutrality by 2060.

The Forbidden City in Beijing, built between 1406 and 1420, was the imperial palace of 24 Ming and Qing dynasty emperors. It contains approximately 8,728 rooms across 180 acres and is the world's largest palace complex. Forbidden to ordinary citizens for 500 years, it is now China's most-visited museum, drawing over 14 million visitors annually before the COVID-19 pandemic.