1. China has the fastest growing economy in the world: by 2011 it will surpass that of the USA.

2. The top export to China (£130m) is telecommunications and recording equipment and is the largest export market for Scotch whisky.

3. China has the world's biggest clothing industry.

4. When doing business in China, it is polite to offer and receive business cards with two hands.

5. One in every five human beings lives in China.

6. 300 million households in China have a TV set and there are some 900 TV stations.

7. China can feed the vast majority of its population.

8. Pasta originated in China.

9. China has thirteen international frontiers, more than any other country in the world.

10. The number of people in China with the surname Zhang outnumbers the population of the USA and there are more football supporters in China than anywhere else in the world.