郭鹏编著的《中国概况（英文版）》以外国留学生学习兴趣为出发点，围绕其知识应用的需求而设计，比较全面地介绍了相关基本知识。同时，在语言上大大降低了难度，最适合中级汉语水平（新HSK4—5级）的读者。《中国概况（英文版）》体现了“学前启发、学中思考、学后补充”的教学过程，设计了丰富多样的启发型、活动型、任务型习题，体现人书互动、师生互动，努力做到中国文化素养形成与语言能力发展之间的有机结合。

Preface

Reader's Guide

Index of Pictures

Chapter 1 The Geographical Environment and Chinese Culturt

 The Main Characteristics of China's Geographical Environment

 The Influences of Geographical Environment over

 China's Agricultural Civilisation

 Confucianism and Ancient Agricultural CMlisation

 Agriculture and Changes in Population and Language

 Activities

Chapter 2 The History and Society of China

 The Early History and GMlisation of China

 Confucius and His Influence

 The Rise and Fall of Ancient China

 China's Transition to a Modern Society ActMties

Chapter 3 Chinese Traditional Thoughts

 Pre-Qin Times：The Making and Prosperity of Chinese Thought

 Integration and Vibrancy of Thought in the Han Dynasty

 Great Boom of Thought and Wei-Jin Style

 Creative Efforts in Thought in the Tang Dynasty

 Neo-Confucianism in the Song and Ming Dynasties： Recreation of Confucianism

 Enlightenment of Three Great Philosophers of the Early

 Qing Dynasty

 Activities

Chapter 4 The Lives of the Ancient Chinese

 Basic Necessities of Ancient Chinese

 Language and Characters of Ancient Ghina

 The Glamour of Chinese Traditional Arts

 Customs and Ceremonies of Ancient Chinese Society ActMties

Chapter 5 China's Contribution to the World's Science and Technology

 The Papermaking and Printing Technology of Ancient China

 The Silk and Porcelain of China

 The Unique Traditional Chinese Medicine

 The Achievements of Mathematics and Astronomy of Ancient China

 Activities

Chapter 6 Migration and China's Social Changes

 The Major Migrations in Chinese History

 Influence of the Migrations on Chinese Language

 Migrations in Modern Ghina

 Overseas Chinese and the Spread of Culture

 ActMties

Chapter 7 Awareness and Collision Between China and the West

 Marco Polo and The Travels of Marco Polo

 Matteo Ricci and the Spread of Western Civilisation in China　Ming and Qing Emperors' Promotion of the Western

 Gulture Spreading in China

 The Controversy over the Etiquette Rite and the End of Catholicism in China

 ActMties

Chapter 8 China in Modern Times and Western Civilisation

 Modern China's First Batch of Figures Learning from the Outside World and Their Works

 The Complication and Turns of Learning from the

 West in Modern China

 Influence of Western CMlisation on the Chinese

 After the May-4th Movement

 Activities

Chapter 9 The Life of Contemporary Chinese People

 Food, Clothing, Housing and Transportation of Contemporary Chinese People

 Cultural Life of Contemporary Chinese People

 The World in the Eyes of Contemporary Chinese People

 Activities

Chapter 10 Political System and Basic Policies of China in the Present Age

 The Election System of China and Its Nature

 The Political Party System and Democratic Parties of China

 The Administrative System of China

 The Situation of Resources and Population Policy in China

 China's Environmental Protection Policy

 Activities

Chapter 11 China Gradually Integrating into the International

 Community

 The Main Characteristics of China's Foreign Policy

 The Contributions Made by China for Maintaining the

 Peace of the World

 China's Influences in the Global Economy

 Activities

Appendixes A Brief Chronology of Chinese History