China, with a recorded history of more than 5,000 years, is one of the four ancient civilizations and hence one of the world's oldest. The People’s Republic of China, with a land area of 9.6 million square kilometers and a water area of about 4.73 million square kilometers, is the biggest country in Asia and the third largest country in the world. Chinese Culture: Chinese people tend to honor tradition, but they also embrace many parts of Western popular culture. Thanks in part to the lasting influence of Confucianism, Chinese customs include a strong sense of family, a deep respect for hierarchy, and an appreciation for harmony over conflict. China is known for its food, martial arts and silk.