Front Left: Lin Sen (1868-1943), President of China 1932-43

Front Right: Chiang Kai-Shek (1887-1975), Chinese military and political leader

Chiang was educated in military academies first in china and then in Japan. While in Japan, he was influenced by his compatriots to support the revolutionary movement to overthrow the Qing Dynasty. In 1911 he returned to China to join the revolution as an artillery officer.

Chiang assumed the leadership of the Kuomintang, the Nationalist Party, after the death of Sun Yat-sen in 1925. He commanded the Northern Expedition to unify China against the warlords and emerged victorious in 1928 as the overall leader of the Republic of China. Chiang led China in the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945). During the Chinese Civil War (1927-1949), Chiang attempted to eradicate the Chinese Communists, but ultimately failed, forcing his government to retreat to Taiwan, where he continued serving as the President of the Republic of China for the remainder of his life.

Back: Old Chinese-styled building

Front: Chiang Kai-Shek (1887-1975), Chinese military and political leader

Back: Central Bank of China building

Front: Chiang Kai-Shek (1887-1975), Chinese military and political leader

Back: Bridge

China, located in eastern Asia, has one of the world's longest uninterrupted civilizations, dating back more than six millennia. For centuries, China was the world's most advanced civilization, and the cultural center of East Asia, with an impact lasting to the present day.

China is the source of many great inventions including Paper, the compass, gunpowder, and printing. China was also the first country to use paper money.

In 1911, the Nationalist Party under Dr. Sun Yat-sen overthrew the Ch'ing Dynasty and established the republic. However, the Chinese Civil War following WWII resulted in two Chinese states in 1949: People's Republic of China on the mainland, and the Republic of China in Taiwan.

For a more detailed country profile, see CIA World Factbook on China.