wth rates but at the
same time puts additional pressure on the hybrid system of strong
political controls and growing market influences. China has
benefited from a huge expansion in computer Internet use, with 94
million users at the end of 2004. Foreign investment remains a
strong element in China's remarkable economic growth. Shortages of
electric power and raw materials may affect industrial output in
2005. More power generating capacity is scheduled to come on line in
2006. In its rivalry with India as an economic power, China has a
lead in the absorption of technology, the rising prominence in world
trade, and the alleviation of poverty; India has one important
advantage in its relative mastery of the English language, but the
number of competent Chinese English-speakers is growing rapidly.

GDP (purchasing power parity):
$7.262 trillion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:
9.1% (official data) (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $5,600 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 13.8%
industry and construction: 52.9%
services: 33.3% (2004 est.)

Labor force:
760.8 million (2003)

Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 49%, industry 22%, services 29% (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate:
9.8% in urban areas; substantial unemployment and underemployment
in rural areas; an official Chinese journal estimated overall
unemployment (including rural areas) for 2003 at 20% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:
10% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.4%
highest 10%: 30.4% (1998)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:
44 (2002)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.1% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):
46% of GDP (2004 est.)

Budget:
revenues: $317.9 billion
expenditures: $348.9 billion, including capital expenditures of NA
(2004 est.)

Public debt:
31.4% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:
rice, wheat, potatoes, corn, peanuts, tea, millet, barley, apples,
cotton, oilseed, pork, fish

Industries:
mining and ore processing, iron, steel, aluminum, and other metals;
coal; machine building; armaments; textiles and apparel; petroleum;
cement; chemicals; fertilizers; consumer products, including
footwear, toys, and electronics; food processing; transportation
equipment, including automobiles, rail cars and locomotives, ships