China Map by Geo-Politics

Most analyses of China's foreign and security policies treat China as a unitary actor, assuming a cohesive grand strategy articulated by Beijing (Capital city of China and seat of the Communist party).

This is far from the truth!

Due to China's large population and geographical area, the administrative divisions of China have consisted of several levels of local government since the ancient times:

The provincial (province, autonomous region, municipality, and special administrative region) prefecture, county, township and village.

For purposes of keeping this ABC as simplified as possible, we will discuss about the administrative division that matters the most to investors: Provincial.

The Peoples' Republic of China (PRC) administers 34 provincial level divisions or first-level divisions as they are often known for.

These 34 include 23 provinces, 5 autonomous regions, 4 municipalities and 2 special administrative regions.

In case you wondered why, the reason is because China contains about 56 ethnicities (55 minorities who make up 8.) with each their own identity (writing, language, culture, folklore ... etc) and freedom to maintain their identities.

The central government therefore, has the uphill task of coordinating and controlling all these different provinces toward a common goal and unity.

Bonus Tip 1:

Chinese know their country as "Zhong Guo" (Middle Kingdom) and not China. One meaning of this refers to China directly seated beneath the heavens, wanting nothing; directly connected to Source.

Another meaning, is China had imperial rule for the last 5000 years with all subjugated states surrounding and protecting the royal city, placing the emperor in the central command post.

Bonus Tip 2:

The formal name of the nation is the People's Republic of China (Zhong Hua Ren Min Gong He Guo). "Hua" originates from Huaxia Civilization, which was the dawn of Chinese civilization and specifically refers to the Han Chinese. "Hua Ren" means Chinese people, while "Zhong Hua" literally comprises nation, ethnic group and culture, all rolled into one entity.

These little nuances, Dear investors, are very vital because then you can understand your Chinese counterparts background as you work with them.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JANE LePAWAH is the founder of E'Or SOLUTIONS, Inc.™ where she doubles up as MD & (Sr.) FDi Advisor for China & Africa Market. She's also serial entrepreneur, solutions architect and much the brains behind brands like emoH.™ & food'atWORKS.™. Jane loves to grow businesses from ground on upward; and if she's not helping global brands & governments to expand on new projects/ideas/foreign markets, then she's out traveling the world, scouting for more opportunity zones.