CN is the abbreviation for China, the 3rd largest country in the world. Officially the People’s Republic of China, China is a country located in East Asia, bordering 14 – Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Vietnam. Beijing is the capital city of China. Major cities include Shanghai (population: 22,315,463), Beijing (population: 11,716,609), Tianjin (population: 11,090,303), Guangzhou (population: 11,071,413), Shenzhen (population: 10,358,370), Wuhan (population: 9,785,377), Dongguan (population: 8,000,011), Chongqing (population: 7,457,589), Chengdu (population: 7,415,579), and Nanjing (population: 7,165,281).
Country Profile
- Capital: Beijing
- Language: Chinese
- Area: 9,596,961 km2
- Population: 1,403,500,354
- Currency: Renminbi (CNY)
- Time zone: UTC+8
- Calling code: 86
- ISO 2-Letter Abbreviation: CN
- UN 3-Letter Abbreviation: CHN
- Internet TLD: .cn
- State Government Website: gov.cn
List of China Acronyms
The most commonly used abbreviations about China are CN which stands for China and CNY which means Renminbi (China currency). In the following table, you can see all acronyms related to China, including abbreviations for airport, city, school, port, government, and etc.
Abbreviation | Meaning |
ALPHABET | Agricultural Bank of China |
ACCC | Agricultural Culture Collection of China |
ADBC | Agriculture Development Bank of China |
ACCOUNTING | Air China Cargo |
ACCESSORY | Air China Cargo |
ACFW | All China Federation of Women |
ACLE | All China Leather Exhibition |
ACSR | All China Strategic Research |
ACYF | All China Youth Federation |
ATTIC | All the Tea in China |
ACWF | All-China Women’s Federation |
AMMISCA | American Military Mission to China |
ACCL | Amway China Co Limited |
ASAC | Apicultural Science Association of China |
ACIF | ASEAN China Investment Fund (est. 2004) |
ACPN | Australia China Professionals Network |
ACACA | Australia-China Agricultural Cooperation Agreement |
ACCOUNTING | Australia-China Council |
ACCESSORY | Australia-China Council |
ACFA | Australia-China Foundation Association |
BOCI | Bank of China International |
PEKS | Beijing, China – Peking Capital Airport |
BCCB | Berlin China Cultural Bridges |
BCC | Better Crops China |
BRIC | Brazil, Russia, India and China |
BCC | Broadcasting Corporation of China |
BICC | Built-In China Cabinets |
CHOC | Cambridge History of China |
CCBC | Canada China Business Council |
CFRC | Center for Financial Research on China |
CUSCPS | Center for United States-China Policy Studies |
CCTR | Center on China’s Transnational Relations |
CCNU | Central China Normal University |
CSCQCK | Central Kedah China Soaring Crane Qigong |
CSCIC | Centre for the Study of Christianity in China |
CNCA | Certification Accreditation Administration of the People’s Republic of China |
CCBP | Certification of China Banking Professional |
CACH | Children Adopted from China |
CHAMPION | China |
CAEP | China Academy of Engineering Physics |
CAPT | China Academy of Post and Telecommunications |
CAPT | China Academy of Printing Technology |
CATR | China Academy of Telecommunication Research |
CAST | China Aerospace Science and Technology Group |
CATF | China Air Task Force |
CI | China Airlines – Taiwan |
CADIA | China Alcoholic Drinks Industry Association |
CIAC | China and Inner Asia Council |
CAAO | China Appointed Attesting Officer |
CATTI | China Aptitude Test for Translators and Interpreters |
CACDA | China Arms Control and Disarmament Association |
CACEE | China Association for Continuing Engineering Education |
CAMH | China Association for Mental Health |
CAAM | China Association of Automobile Manufacturers |
CABCI | China Association of Bakery and Confectionery Industry |
CACEM | China Association of Construction Enterprise Management |
CANSI | China Association of National Shipbuilding Industry |
CAUES | China Association of Urban Environmental Sanitation |
CAES | China Auto Electronics Show |
CAIA | China Automotive Industry Association |
CAOHC | China Aviation Oil Holding Company |
CBEX | China Beijing Equity Exchange |
CBBR | China Britain Business Resources |
CBSN | China Broadband Satellite Network |
CBDA | China Building Decoration Association |
CBTDC | China Building Technology Development Centre |
CBLF | China Business Leaders Forum |
CCBN | China Cable Broadcasting Network |
CCSP | China Camp State Park |
CCER | China Center for Economic Research |
CCTCC | China Center for Type Culture Collection |
CCTV | China Central Television |
CCIC | China Certification and Inspection Company |
CCFA | China Chain Store & Franchise Association |
CCSFA | China Chain Stores and Franchising Association |
CCF | China Charity Federation |
CCFA | China Chemical Fibers Association |
CCARI | China Chongqing Automobile Research Institute |
CIVIL | China Christian Council |
CCES | China Civil Engineering Society |
CCS | China Classification Society |
CCE | China Coal Energy |
CCIB | China Commodity Inspection Bureau |
CCIC | China Commodity Inspection Corporation |
CCCG | China Communications Construction Group |
CCYL | China Communist Youth League |
CIVIL | China Compulsory Certification |
CCBA | China Construction Bank |
CCBC | China Construction Bank Corporation |
CCCE | China Construction Civil Engineering Limited |
CCCST | China Consulting Center for Science and Technology |
CCBA | China Contract Bridge Association |
CCPIT | China Council for the Promotion of International Trade |
CDIA | China Dairy Industry Association |
CDEI | China Dental Exhibition International |
CDR | China Depository Receipts |
CDIB | China Development Industrial Bank |
CDRF | China Development Research Foundation |
CDSN | China Digital Seismograph Network |
CEAH | China Eastern Air Holding Company |
MU-2 | China Eastern Airlines |
OMAN | China Eastern Airlines |
CENS | China Economic News Service |
CERAP | China Economic Research and Advisory Programme |
CERN | China Education and Research Net |
CETI | China Educational Technology Initiative |
CECC | China Electronic Chamber of Commerce |
CEPEX | China Energy and Power Exhibition |
CECIC | China Energy Conservation Investment Corporation |
CECP | China Energy Conservation Program |
CEST | China Energy Savings Technology |
CETP | China Energy Technology Program |
CETV | China Entertainment Television |
CEPF | China Environmental Protection Foundation |
CESP | China Environmental Science Press |
CEGL | China Essence Group Ltd. |
CEIBS | China Europe International Business School |
CETDO | China Europe Trade Development Organization |
CEGL | China Everbright Group Limited |
CECIC | China Export and Credit Insurance Corporation |
CEBC | China Export Bases Corporation |
CFIA | China Feed Industry Association |
CFIA | China Fermentation Industry Association |
CFIB | China Fiber Inspection Bureau |
CFSG | China Fire & Security Group |
CFTGEC | China Foreign Trade Guangzhou Exhibition Corporation |
CFSU | China Foundry Suppliers Union |
CFX | China France Express |
CFIA | China FRP Industrial Association |
CGPA | China Game Producers’ Association |
CGPA | China Games Publishers’ Association |
CGME | China Glass Marble Earthenware |
CGLN | China Global Logistics Network |
CGBN | China Golden Bridge Network |
CGST | China Graduate School of Theology |
CGCPA | China Group Companies Promotion Association |
CGNPG | China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group |
CHAOS | China Has All Our Savings |
CHF | China History Forum |
CHAIN | China HIV/AIDS Information Network |
CHKD | China Hospital Knowledge Database |
CHIA | China Housing Industry Association |
CHPANC | China Hualu Panasonic AVC Networks Co, Ltd. |
CISF | China Import Service Fee |
CIGIA | China Industrial Gases Industry Association |
CISPO | China Initiatives and Special Projects |
CIISS | China Institute for International Strategic Studies |
CIIR | China Institute of Industrial Relations |
CIID | China Institute of Interior Design |
CIIS | China Institute of International Studies |
CIHC | China Insurance Holdings Co. Ltd. |
CIRC | China Insurance Regulatory Commission |
CIBF | China International Battery Fair |
CIBTC | China International Book Trading Corporation |
CICC | China International Capital Corp. |
CHINCA | China International Contractors Association |
CIEC | China International Exhibition Center |
CIFF | China International Footwear Fair |
CIFF | China International Furniture Fair |
CIGF | China International Garden and Flower Exposition |
CIMC | China International Marine Containers Group Company Limited |
CIPG | China International Publishing Group |
CIRR | China International Resources Recycling |
CITM | China International Travel Mart |
CITIC | China International Trust and Investment Company |
CITIC | China International Trust and Investment Corporation |
CWE | China International Water & Electric Corp. |
CNNIC | China Internet Network Information Center |
CIC | China Investment Corporation |
CIPA | China Investment Promotion Agency |
CISA | China Iron & Steel Association |
CJIS | China Jianyin Investment Securities |
CJN | China Journal Net |
CLB | China Labor Bulletin |
CLFM | China Leaders for Manufacturing |
CMTBA | China Machine Tool & Tool Builders’ Association |
CMIPC | China Machinery Industrial Products Co., Ltd. |
CMMFC | China Man Made Fiber Corp |
CMRC | China Meat Research Center |
CMIA | China Medical Informatics Association |
CMCC | China Mobile Communications Corporation |
CMMB | China Mobile Multimedia Broadcasting |
CMNT | China Mulans Nano Tech Corp. Ltd. |
CMMB | China Multimedia Mobile Broadcasting |
CMIA | China Music Instrument Association |
CNAB | China National Accreditation Board for Certifiers |
CNAG | China National Airline Group |
CNAC | China National Aviation Corporation |
CNBA | China National Bar Association |
CNBA | China National Basketball Association |
CNBC | China National Biotec Corporation |
CNCIC | China National Chemical Information Center |
SINOCHEM | China National Chemicals Import & Export Corporation |
CNCA | China National Coal Association |
CNCG | China National Coal Group Corp. |
CNCPEC | China National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation |
CNCA | China National Committee on Ageing |
CNCE | China National Cotton Exchange |
CNEEC | China National Electric Equipment Corporation |
CNEMC | China National Environmental Monitoring Center |
CNFPIA | China National Forest Products Industry Association |
CNFMA | China National Forestry Machinery Association |
CNMTC | China National Machine Tool Corporation |
CNNIC | China National Network Information Center |
CNNC | China National Nuclear Corporation |
CNODC | China National Oceanographic Data Center |
CNOOC | China National Offshore Oil Corporation |
CNODC | China National Oil and Gas Exploration and Development Corporation |
CNOC | China National Oil Corporation |
CNTC | China National Tobacco Corporation |
CNECC | China New Energy Chamber of Commerce |
CNTD | China New Town Development Company Limited |
CND | China News Digest |
CNSS | China Node for Sustainable Sanitation |
CNITA | China Nonwovens and Industrial Textiles Association |
CNXS | China North Express |
CNECC | China Nuclear Engineering Construction Corporation |
CNIG | China Nuclear Industry Group |
COMRA | China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association |
COPU | China OSS Promotion Union (est. 2004; Beijing, China) |
COEA | China Overseas Exchange Association |
COLI | China Overseas Land & Investment |
CPAL | China Pacific Asia Limited |
CPIC | China Pacific Insurance Co. Ltd. |
CPIC | China Pacific Life Insurance Co., Ltd |
CPIDC | China Paper Industry Development Corporation |
CPCA | China Passenger Car Association |
CPAA | China Performing Arts Agency |
CPDC | China Petrochemical Development Corporation |
CPDRC | China Population and Development Research Centre |
CPHA | China Ports and Harbors Association |
CPSB | China Postal Savings Bank |
CPSS | China Power Supply Society |
CPIRD | China Program for Integrated Research Development |
COPILOT | China Promotion |
CPDC | China Prosperity Development Corp. |
CPIH | China Prosperity International Holdings |
CQC | China Quality Certification Center |
CRFT | China Radio, Film, Television Satellite Company |
CR | China Railway |
CRCC | China Railway Construction Corporation |
CRCA | China Research Centre on Ageing |
CRPI | China Resources Petrochems Investments |
CSTA | China Science and Technology Association |
CSTPC | China Scientific and Technical Papers and Citations |
CSGIA | China Screenprinting Graphic Imaging Association |
CSITC | China Securities Investment Trust Corporation |
CSRC | China Securities Regulatory Commission |
CSST | China Security & Surveillance Technology, Inc. |
CSIC | China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation |
CSTC | China Shipbuilding Trading Company |
CSAA | China Shipping Agency |
CSCL | China Shipping Container Lines |
CSCQ | China Soaring Crane Qigong |
CSFB | China Society for Finance and Banking |
CSPGP | China Society for Promotion of the Guangcai Programme |
CSIA | China Software Industry Association |
CSAH | China Southern Air Holding Company |
CSAC | China Southern Airlines Company |
CSLA | China Sports Lottery Administration |
CSCE | China State Construction Engineering |
CSSC | China State Shipbuilding Corporation |
CSOF | China Stationery and Office Supply, Inc. |
CTAPI | China Technical Association of Paper Industry |
CTCI | China Technical Consultants Inc. |
CTCL | China Telecom Corporation Ltd. |
CTEI | China Textile Economic Information |
CTSA | China Thermal Spraying Association |
CTIC | China Tibet Information Center |
CTTB | China Tibet Tourism Bureau |
CTPH | China Tibetology Publishing House |
CTRC | China Tibetology Research Center |
CTRCS | China Tibetology Research Center |
CTMI | China Tourism Management Institute |
CTCP | China Trade Center of Philadelphia |
CALL-TO-ACTION | China Type Approval |
CUTE | China University of Technology |
CVCA | China Venture Capital Association |
CWEC | China Weapons Equipment Corporation |
CWDA | China Weave Distribution Association |
CWCA | China Wildlife Conservation Association |
CWDA | China Wood Distribution Association |
CYBP | China Yachting Business Partnership |
CYCRC | China Youth and Children Research Center |
CYD | China Youth Daily |
CYSA | China Youth Space Academy |
CHIME | China, India and the Middle East |
CSIS | China’s Species Information System |
CAFTA | China-ASEAN Free Trade Area |
CBERS | China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite |
CBBC | China-Britain Business Council |
CCBA | China-Canada Business Association |
CCSEP | China-Canada Scholars’ Exchange Program |
CGSP | ChinaGrid Support Platform |
CKCG | China-Korea Cyber Games |
CSVC | China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park Venture Co |
CFIA | Chinatown Faith In Action |
CRDC | Chinatown Resource Development Center |
CAFUC | Civil Aviation Flight University of China |
CAUC | Civil Aviation University Of China |
CACC | Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Ltd |
CTMC | Commodity Trading Market of China |
COPC | ConocoPhillips China, Inc. |
CEBC | Conselho Empresarial Brasil-China |
CROC | Constitution of the Republic of China |
CLB | Construction Lucchina Basso |
CIVIL | Contemporary China Center |
CCRC | Contemporary China Research Center |
DTC | Date to China |
DTTC | Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu CPA Limited (Beijing, China) |
DCBN | Denmark China Business Network |
DEM | Deus Ex Machina |
DEMOCRAT | Deus Ex Machina |
DCN | Digital China Networks, Ltd. |
DTC | Dossier to China |
EACI | East Asia China and India |
ECCH | East China Capital Holdings |
ECPG | East China Power Grid |
ECUST | East China University of Science and Technology |
ECHELON | Echinacea |
EDICHINA | Electronic Data Interchange in China |
ESMC | Electronics Supply & Manufacturing China |
ECCI | English China Clay International |
EPAC | Environmental Protection Administration of China |
ECBA | Euro-China Business Association |
ECHMEC | Europe China Hotel Management Experts Council |
ECARDC | European Conference on Agricultural and Rural Development in China |
ESCL | Evolution Securities China Limited |
EIBC | Export Import Bank of China |
FASC | Federation of Automobile Sports of the People’s Republic of China |
FIPAC | Federation of Investment Promotion Agencies of China |
FECC | Finnish Environmental Cluster for China |
FHAC | First Historical Archives of China |
GBCC | Great Britain China Centre |
GFW | Great Firewall of China |
GFC | Great Firewall of China |
GNCIS | Great North China Initiative |
GWCA | Great Wall of China Adoption |
GCME | Greater China Media and Entertainment Corporation |
GCPS | Greater China Photonic Solutions |
GCPC | Greater China Precision Components Ltd. |
GCR | Greater China Region |
GCX | Guam China Express |
HUC | Hackers Union of China |
HAK | Haikou, China – Haikou |
HSMLCI | Hang Seng Mainland China Index |
HRB | Harbin, China |
HAUSCR | Harvard College Association for US -China Relations (Cambridge, MA) |
HAPBC | Heineken Asia Pacific Breweries China Pte. Ltd. |
HFC | Heroes From China |
HLCCA | Homer Laughlin China Collectors Association |
HKCCC | Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in China |
HKCS | Hong Kong China Secretariat |
HRIC | Human Rights in China |
ICBA | India-China Business Alliance |
IMMF | Indochina Media Memorial Foundation |
ICSN | Indo-China Steam Navigation Co. |
ICBC | Industrial and Commercial Bank of China |
ICBC | International Commercial Bank of China |
JECSS | Japan and East China Seas Study |
JCFC | Japan-China Joint Fisheries Commission |
KCML | Komatsu China Mining Limited |
KJCPL | Koninklijke Java-China-Paketvaart Lijnen |
LCMC | Lancaster Centre for Management in China |
LWOC | Legendary Weapons of China |
LIC | Lepidoptera of Indo-China |
LICENSE | Lepidoptera of Indo-China |
MACH | Machinable Letter |
MICROWAVE | Made in China |
MCFA | Malaysia-China Friendship Association |
MBCI | Medical Books for China International |
MCSC | Music Copyright Society of China |
NAMCC | National Advanced Materials Committee of China |
NBSC | National Bureau of Statistics of China |
NCAC | National Copyright Administration of China |
NDRCC | National Disaster Reduction Center of China |
NNCC | National Narcotics Control Commission of China |
NSFC | National Natural Science Foundation of China |
NSFC | National Science Foundation of China |
NCLI | New China Life Insurance Co., Ltd. |
NMO | nonmachinable outside |
NACS | Nordic Association for China Studies |
NCXS | North China Express |
NCP | North China Plain |
NECT | North East China Transect |
NMIC | Not Made In China |
NUNC | Nottingham University Ningbo China |
OCEF | Overseas China Education Foundation |
PACL | Pacific Alliance China Land Limited |
PFFDC | Party for Freedom and Democracy in China |
PFDC | Party for Freedom and Democracy in China |
PTPC | Pentair Technical Products China |
PBOC | People’s Bank of China |
PICC | People’s Insurance Company of China Group |
CHAMPION | Peoples Republic of China |
PCDC | Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation |
PCRA | Poland China Record Association |
PRIC | Polar Research Institute of China |
PTAC | Printing Technology Association of China |
ZSPD | PuDong International Airport, Shanghai, China |
QMIS | Qingdao MTI International School (China) |
RUC | Renmin University of China |
ROCAF | Republic of China Air Force |
ROCKA | Republic of China Kendo Association |
RITC | Research Institute of Tianjin, China |
RTCL | Reuters Technology China Ltd. |
SYX | Sanya, China |
SCEN | Scotland China Education Network |
SACRIFICE | Securities Association of China |
SWMC | Shechina World Mission Center |
SZX | Shenzhen, China – Shenzhen |
SBFC | Slow Boat from China |
SBTC | Slow Boat to China |
SSEC | Society for the Study of Early China |
SCAU | South China Agricultural University |
SCMP | South China Morning Post |
SCSP | South China Sea Program |
SCSSM | South China Sea Summer Monsoon |
SCSWC | South China Sea Warm Current |
SCSW | South China Sea Water |
SCUTA | South China University of Tropical Agriculture |
SWCAAC | South West Civil Aviation Administration of China |
SACRIFICE | Standardization Administration of China |
SHOTGUN | State Grid Corporation of China |
SPCC | State Planning Commission of China |
SSAC | State Sports Administration of China |
TEBC | Taipei Export-Import Bank of China |
TEPCO | Technical Porcelain and Chinaware Company |
TCL | Today’s China Lion |
TCVF | Tripod China Vision Fund |
THC | Tsinghua Class of Changsha First Middle School, Hunan, PR China |
TXNS | Tunxi, China |
TXN | Tunxi, China |
UPC | United Provinces of China |
USCF | United States and China Foundation |
USTC | University of Science and Technology of China |
VCX | Vietnam China Express |
VSMC | Virtual Science Museums of China |
VOCA | Voice of China and Asia Missionary Society, Inc. |
VAFC | Volvo Automotive Finance China, Ltd. |
WEPP | West-East China Gas Pipeline Project |
WCMU | Western China Medical University |
WCBF | Wharton China Business Forum |
WICA | White Ironstone China Association, Inc. |
WCBA | Women China Basketball Association |
WUB | Worldwide Uchinanchu Business Association |
XFI | Xinhua FTSE Index (joint venture; UK and China) |
Geography
China extends over vast areas, from the sea and to the world’s highest mountains, and as a result, this has great variations in climate and nature. In the west, there are mainly mountains and arid areas, with desert in the northwest. In the eastern parts of the country there are fertile plains, while there are rainforests in the south. The monsoon winds have a major impact on the country’s climate. In winter, polar winds dominate, while warm and tropical winds in summer.
China has the largest greenhouse gas emissions in the world, largely due to extensive production and consumption of oil and coal. Industrial emissions have led to a lack of clean drinking water and health problems among residents in several areas. Deforestation and soil erosion have contributed to China losing one fifth of the country’s cultivable areas since 1949.
History
The Chinese civilization is many thousands of years old. Civilization has long been among the world’s most advanced, and inventions such as the compass, powder, paper and printmaking all come from China. From the year 1600 BCE The country has been ruled by a number of dynasties, where ruling families had power for generations. Various invasions, internal wars and rebellions have characterized history.
In 1911, a revolution broke out, resulting in the abolition of the dynasty and the establishment of the Republic of China. The Nationalist Party Kuomintang and China’s Communist Party fought for power for many years, but chose to cooperate when war broke out between China and Japan in 1937. After China won the war in 1945, a bloody civil war began. The Communists, with Mao Zedong in the lead, won the war and created the People’s Republic of China in 1949. On the other hand, the Nationalist Party’s supporters withdrew and settled on the island of Taiwan. Mao Zedong ruled with iron hand and launched in 1966 “The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution”. He wanted to eradicate ancient customs and customs in Chinese society and introduce communist ideology. Mao’s death in 1976 led to a settlement with the more radical elements of communism.
Society and politics
China is a socialist people’s republic. The Communist Party has been in power since 1949, and is not challenged by a real opposition. The state’s supreme body, the People’s Congress, appoints the president and the prime minister. For the rest of the year, the congressional executive committee acts as a legislative assembly, under the control of the Communist Party. Chinese President Xi Jinping gained power in 2013 and is considered to be the most powerful Chinese leader since Mao Zedong.
Chinese authorities have strict control over the population. Previously, a one-child policy was implemented to limit population growth – which has led to an aging population. Today, minority groups are discriminated against and the media and internet are controlled. Corruption is considered to be a widespread problem and every year hundreds of people are sentenced to death for financial crimes. The West is particularly critical of China’s occupation of Tibet, as well as the Chinese demand that Taiwan join the mainland.
China is a permanent member of the UN Security Council, and the country plays an increasingly important international role. In the neighboring areas, China wants to promote stability, cooperation and good trade relations.
Economics and Commerce
Since 1970, China has moved from a centrally controlled planning economy to a more market-driven economy of great international importance. China has experienced tremendous economic growth since the late 1970s, making it one of the world’s largest economies. The development has also created great differences between poor and rich, and between city and country. Although some reforms have been implemented, the state still controls much of the economy. Considerations for social stability and economic growth are guiding Chinese politics.
China is rich in natural resources such as coal, oil and iron ore. The country carries on extensive trade with other countries and exports goods such as textiles, electronic products, oil, cars and weapons. The country’s main trading partners are EU countries, the US and Japan. In recent years, the US-China trade relationship has been very strained, and countries have imposed extra tariffs on each other’s goods.
China’s foreign investment has increased significantly in recent years, both in Africa, Europe and North America. China is investing heavily in Africa, primarily to secure access to oil, gas and minerals. In addition, China wants to help African countries produce food for the ever-growing Chinese population. African countries are also important markets for Chinese goods.
UN RPGs
The UN Association is offering a role-playing game for the 2019-20 school year in which students will try to resolve a conflict in the Security Council (Iran and the nuclear issue). China is a permanent member of the Security Council, and the sections that follow are information related to this game.
Relations with other countries in the Security Council
The United States has traditionally been one of China’s opponents in the Security Council, but over the past ten years there has been extensive trade between the two major powers that has largely been decisive for China’s rapid economic growth. Relations with the United States, however, have deteriorated sharply under President Trump, and there is currently a trade war in which the two countries are constantly increasing their tariffs on important commodities against each other. These tariffs are also of great importance for global economic growth, which is of great concern to many.
The relationship between the United Kingdom and China is not the best, but can still be described as working well. The United Kingdom and France often support the United States in the Security Council, and are therefore in opposition to China on many important issues. The relationship between China and Russia is consistently good, and these two countries are often playing on teams against the West in the Security Council. Where Russia often faces any disagreement with the West, China prefers to keep a lower profile.
China is a strong defender of the UN’s failure to interfere in its internal affairs, and is often skeptical of interventions adopted by the Security Council. The country is a major investor abroad, building contacts and networks on the basis of its large trade balance surpluses.
Tips
China is one of the parties that negotiated the nuclear deal with Iran in 2015. China is critical that the United States has withdrawn from the agreement and wants it to continue even if it has its weaknesses. After the US withdrew and reinstated economic sanctions against the country, China has repeatedly stressed that all countries have the right to trade with Iran in the areas approved by the nuclear agreement.
The last time Iran was subject to severe sanctions from the West because of its nuclear program, China continued to buy a lot of oil from the country. This has not happened to the same extent this time, as Chinese banks are now increasingly integrated into the global economy and may risk US sanctions.
China is positive about European countries’ efforts to create an alternative trade mechanism for Iran (INSTEX), enabling companies to continue trading with Iran without being affected by US penalties. China is not yet participating in INSTEX, although the initiators have opened the door for countries outside the EU to join. If INSTEX eventually includes oil, and China joins the scheme, it will intensify the trade dispute between China and the United States.
China has so far reacted negatively to the US initiative to create an international naval force to protect civilian shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, the country is very concerned about the safety of Chinese ships sailing through the area, and has asked all parties to the conflict to show restraint.
China has previously supported Iran on the issue of Iranian interference in the Yemen conflict. This happened in February 2018, when China abstained in the vote of the UN Security Council to condemn Iran for breaking the weapons blockade against the houti movement. This vote, where Russia vetoed, provoked the United States. The Americans believed that the evidence of illegal Iranian arms smuggling to the Yemenis was strong. China has also previously worked with Russia to limit the effects of UN sanctions on Iran as a result of suspicions of military projects in the country’s nuclear program.
On the question of creating a nuclear-free zone in the Middle East, China supports this proposal. China has called on Israel to accede to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, thus fulfilling one of the important conditions for the zone to be established. China is in favor of a meeting soon to set up the nuclear-free zone, and believes this can no longer be postponed if one wishes to retain the still-almost universal agreement on the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
China is one of the world’s nuclear weapons states, and it is believed that the country has approx. 280 nuclear warheads in its current arsenal. The country has repeatedly argued that nuclear weapons states must also disarm if one wants a nuclear weapons-free world, but without so far having resulted in particularly concrete measures. China believes that Russia and the US have a particularly high responsibility in this area, as they individually and together have a much larger number of weapons than the other nuclear weapons states. So far, China also seems to be prioritizing modernizing its own existing nuclear weapons.
China is the only major force in the UN Security Council that has issued a declaration that it will never be the first party to use nuclear weapons in a conflict. China has called on the other nuclear weapons states to provide similar guarantees.