- China has an official population of 1.3 billion. The estimated population when unregistered people are included is 1.6 billion.
- In 2003, for the first time in its history, China brewed more beer than any other country. However, consumption per head is well below other countries and is less than ¼ of the USA.
- Although rice is fundamental to the Chinese diet, China produces more than 25% (63.5 million tones per annum) of the world’s potatoes.
- The average annual salary in China is less than US$2,000.
- In 2003, the retailer Walmart accounted for 10% of all Chinese imports into the USA.
- Overseas Direct Investment in the Chinese mainland surged 49.15% in contractual volume in the first quarter of 2004. .