China

China is one of the world's oldest civilizations. Modern China has been a Communist country since the mid-20th century. Beginning in the late 20th century it began to move to a more market-based economy and went through a turbulent period of change and readjustment. Often criticized by the western world for poor human rights practices, China nonetheless remains an economic and political power that dominates much of Asia. It is the world's most populated country with a population in excess of 1.1 billion people during the time the novel is set. By 2010, the population had risen to 1.3 billion.

Shanghai

This is the largest city in China and one of the largest in the world, Shanghai is located midway down China's east coast. It is an important political and cultural center roughly the same size as Los Angeles.

National Model Worker

One of China's highest honors, this is...