China’s first population drop in 6 decades sounds alarm on demographic crisis

China's first population can be traced back to prehistoric times, with evidence of human activity dating back to around 2 million years ago. The earliest known human fossils found in China belong to the genus Homo, and are thought to have lived around 250,000 years ago.

During the Neolithic period, which began around 12,000 years ago, early Chinese communities began to form and develop. These early societies were primarily based on hunting, gathering, and fishing, and were relatively small and scattered. However, as these communities grew and began to develop more complex social structures, they also began to develop more advanced tools and technologies.

The first Chinese civilization is generally considered to be the Xia dynasty, which is believed to have existed around 2000 BCE. The Xia was succeeded by the Shang dynasty, which is known for its sophisticated bronze casting techniques and its use of oracle bones for divination. The Shang was in turn succeeded by the Zhou dynasty, which is known for its development of a feudal system of government and its promotion of Confucianism as a state religion.

During the Han dynasty, which lasted from 206 BCE to 220 CE, China's population began to grow rapidly. This was due in part to advances in agriculture, as well as to the expansion of the empire through military conquests. The Han dynasty also saw the development of a centralized government, with a powerful bureaucracy that helped to maintain order and stability.

The period of the Three Kingdoms and the Sixteen Kingdoms, between 220 and 589 CE was marked by a decentralization of power and a fragmentation of the empire. This period was also characterized by frequent warfare and political instability.

The Song dynasty, which followed the Tang, is known for its advances in technology and culture, including the invention of gunpowder and the development of a sophisticated system of banking and finance. The Song was followed by the Yuan dynasty, which was established by the Mongols and saw the expansion of the empire to include parts of Central Asia and Europe.

The Sui dynasty, established in 589 CE, reunified China and began a period of economic and cultural growth. The Sui was short-lived, but it was succeeded by the Tang dynasty which is considered one of the high points in Chinese civilization. The Tang saw the development of a strong centralized government, as well as the growth of Buddhism as a major religious and cultural force in China.

The Song dynasty, which followed the Tang, is known for its advances in technology and culture, including the invention of gunpowder and the development of a sophisticated system of banking and finance. The Song was followed by the Yuan dynasty, which was established by the Mongols and saw the expansion of the empire to include parts of Central Asia and Europe.

The Ming dynasty, which followed the Yuan, saw a resurgence of Chinese culture and the rebuilding of the empire after the destruction wrought by the Mongols. The Ming is also known for its voyages of exploration, led by the famous explorer Zheng He, which reached as far as the coast of East Africa.

The last imperial dynasty of China, the Qing, was established by the Manchus and ruled from 1644 to 1912. The Qing saw the expansion of the empire to include parts of Tibet and Central Asia, as well as the suppression of many of the ethnic and cultural groups that had existed under the Ming. The population of China during the Qing was estimated to be around 300 million.

In summary, China's first population can be traced back to prehistoric times and evolved through various dynasties, each with its own unique characteristics and contributions to Chinese civilization. From the Xia to the Qing, Chinese population grew and developed complex social structures, advanced tools and technologies, and a rich culture that continues to influence the world today.