China, the land of mystery, is the world's fastest growing economy. It is also the world's manufacturing powerhouse.

It ranks 66th, along with Sri Lanka, on the Global Corruption Index. And on the Network Readiness Index, the nation with a score of 3.38 is 51st.

In late 1978, China began moving the economy from a sluggish centrally planned economy to a market-oriented system.

The system operates within a political framework of strict Communist control, but the economic influence of non-state organisations and individuals has been steadily increasing.

Its GDP has risen four times since 1978. China also is the world's second largest economy after the United States.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army soldiers lead a military display during a welcoming ceremony for visiting Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Beijing on June 23, 2003.

Photograph: Frederic J Brown/AFP/Getty Images