Abstract

Egbabor Oghale.

China, with one-fifth of the world's population, accounts for two-thirds of the worlds reported aquaculture production. The People's Republic of China is vast. Its territory sprawls over 9.6 million km2. The distance from borders in the east to those in the west measures 5 000 km and from north to south it spans over 5 500 km. China's present population is about 800 million. Administratively, China consists of three municipalities (Peking, Shanghai and Tientsin) directly under the central authority, 22 provinces and five autonomous regions. China's topography varies widely. Cloud-capped peaks give way to basins of different slopes and sizes. Wide, rolling plateaus alternate with low, broad plains. There are great deserts and wilds in the northwest. Rivers, streams and lakes slice the plains on the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtse River. Some areas are warm the year round; others have long winters and short summers. Most of the land lies in the temperate zone. A combination of high temperatures and adequate rainfall provides favourable farming conditions, especially in the east and south.