List of Countries Bordered By China with Map

List of countries bordered by China are Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, and North Korea. These countries surround China from various directions, spanning across Central Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Each neighboring country has its own unique geographical, cultural, and political characteristics, contributing to the overall dynamics of the region.

About China

The area of China is approximately 9.6 million square kilometers. The population of the country is 1.4 billion people.

• The official language of the country is Mandarin Chinese.
• The main natural resources of the country are coal, rare earth elements, hydropower, and rich agricultural resources including rice, wheat, and soybeans.
• China is governed by the Communist Party of China (CPC) and operates under a socialist system with Chinese characteristics.
• China has the world’s second-largest economy by nominal GDP and is the largest exporter and second-largest importer of goods.

List of Countries Bordered by China

A list of countries bordered By China with a Map in terms of population, area, official language, natural resources, and their relations with China is given below:

Countries	Border Length with China in km
Russia	3,645
Mongolia	4,677
India	3488
Nepal	1389
Bhutan	470
Myanmar	2129
Laos	475
Vietnam	1281
North Korea	1416
Kyrgyzstan	858
Tajikistan	414
Kazakhstan	1533

Full List of Countries Bordered By China

The countries bordered by China are described below:

Russia

China shares its northern border with Russia, spanning over approximately 4,200 kilometers. This border is one of the longest international borders in the world and stretches across diverse terrain, including vast expanses of plains and rugged mountain ranges.

• The population of the country is approximately 145 million people.
• The area of the country is largest country in the world, covering over 17 million square kilometers.
• Official Language of the country is Russian.
• Natural Resources of the country is oil, natural gas, timber, minerals such as iron ore, diamonds, and rare earth elements.
• Despite historical tensions, China and Russia have strengthened economic and political ties in recent years, often collaborating in areas such as energy and defense.

Mongolia

To the north, China’s border with Mongolia extends for around 4,677 kilometers. This border traverses the Mongolian steppes and desert regions, featuring some of the most sparsely populated areas in both countries.

• The population of the country is around 3.3 million people.
• The area of the country is roughly 1.6 million square kilometers.
• Official language of the country is Mongolian.
• Natural resources of the country are copper, coal, gold, and uranium.
• It’selations with China have improved recently, particularly in trade and investment. China is Mongolia’s largest trading partner.

India

China’s southwestern border with India stretches for approximately 3,488 kilometers, making it one of the most geopolitically significant borders in Asia. The boundary is characterized by mountainous terrain, including the towering peaks of the Himalayas.

• Population of the India is over 1.3 billion people.
• Area of the country is about 3.3 million square kilometers.
• Official languages of the country are Hindi, English and 21 others.
• She is rich in coal, iron ore, manganese, mica, bauxite, and natural gas.
• Relations with China have been strained due to border disputes, but efforts are made to improve economic ties while managing territorial conflicts.

Nepal

China shares a border with Nepal to the southwest, spanning around 1,389 kilometers. This boundary is primarily mountainous, with the majestic peaks of the Himalayas forming a natural barrier between the two nations.

• Population of the country is around 30 million people.
• Area of the country is approximately 147,000 square kilometers.
• Official language of the country is Nepali.
• Natural Resources of the country is limited with some deposits of minerals like limestone, coal, and iron ore.
• Relations with China have strengthened, particularly in trade, infrastructure development, and connectivity projects.

Bhutan

China’s border with Bhutan to the south extends for about 470 kilometers. The boundary traverses rugged mountain terrain, including parts of the eastern Himalayas.

• Population of the country is about 800,000 people.
• Area of the country is roughly 38,000 square kilometers.
• Official Language of the country is Dzongkha.
• Natural Resources of the country is limited with hydropower being the main natural resource.
• While maintaining close ties with India, Bhutan has been cautious in its relations with China, particularly regarding border disputes.

Myanmar

To the southwest, China’s border with Myanmar stretches for approximately 2,129 kilometers. This border encompasses diverse landscapes, including dense forests, river valleys, and mountainous regions.

• Population of the country is over 54 million people.
• Area of the country is approximately 676,000 square kilometers.
• Official Language of the country is Burmese.
• Natural Resources of the country is abundant in natural gas, oil, timber, minerals like jade, and precious stones.
• China has significant investments in Myanmar, particularly in infrastructure projects and natural resource extraction.

Laos

China shares a border with Laos to the south, spanning around 475 kilometers. The boundary features mountainous terrain and dense forests, with the Mekong River forming a natural border in some areas.

• Population of the country is rround 7.2 million people.
• Area of the country is roughly 236,000 square kilometers.
• Official Language of the country is Lao.
• Natural Resources of the country is rich in hydropower potential, and minerals like copper, gold, and timber.
• Relations have strengthened, with China being a major investor in infrastructure projects and a significant trading partner.

Vietnam

China’s border with Vietnam to the south extends for about 1,281 kilometers. This boundary includes rugged mountainous terrain and dense forests, with the Red River serving as a natural border in some sections.

• Population of the country is over 96 million people.
• Area of the country is approximately 331,000 square kilometers.
• Official Language of the country is Vietnamese.
• It is abundant in coal, crude oil, natural gas, and various minerals like iron, bauxite, and copper.
• Relations with China have been historically complex due to territorial disputes in the South China Sea, but economic ties have been growing steadily, with China being Vietnam’s largest trading partner.

Kazakhstan

China shares a border with Kazakhstan that spans approximately 1,533 kilometers. This border serves as a vital link for economic cooperation and trade between the two nations. It facilitates the exchange of goods, resources, and people, contributing to the development of both economies.

• Area of the country is approximately 2.7 million square kilometers.
• Population of the country is around 18 million people.
• Official Language of the country is Kazakh is the state language, and Russian is widely spoken.
• Kazakhstan is rich in natural resources, including oil, natural gas, coal, uranium, and various minerals.
• Kazakhstan shares a border with China to the northwest. The two countries have increasingly close economic ties, with China being a major investor in Kazakhstan’s energy and infrastructure sectors. They collaborate within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Kyrgyzstan

China shares a border with Kyrgyzstan that extends approximately 858 kilometers. This border plays a crucial role in facilitating economic cooperation, cultural exchange, and regional connectivity between the two countries.

• Area of the country is approximately 199,900 square kilometers.
• Population of the country is around 6.5 million people.
• Kyrgyz is the official language, and Russian is also widely spoken.
• Kyrgyzstan’s natural resources include gold, uranium, coal, and various minerals.
• Kyrgyzstan shares a border with China to the northeast. China has invested in infrastructure projects in Kyrgyzstan, particularly in transportation and energy. The two countries cooperate within the SCO and the BRI framework.

Tajikistan

China shares a border with Tajikistan spanning approximately 414 kilometers. This border runs through mountainous terrain in the Pamir Mountains, connecting the two countries in Central Asia.

• Area of the country is approximately 143,100 square kilometers.
• Population of the country is around 9.5 million people.
• Official Language of the country is Tajik is the official language, and Russian is also widely used.
• Tajikistan is rich in hydropower resources, as well as minerals such as aluminum, gold, and silver.
• Tajikistan shares a border with China to the east. China has invested in Tajikistan’s infrastructure and energy projects, including the construction of hydropower plants. They collaborate within the SCO and the BRI framework.

North Korea

China’s northeastern border with North Korea spans approximately 1,416 kilometers. This border encompasses diverse terrain, including mountains, rivers, and plains, and is a crucial geopolitical boundary in the region.

• Area of the country is approximately 120,540 square kilometers.
• Population of the country is around 25 million people.
• Korean is the official language.
• North Korea has mineral resources such as coal, iron ore, magnesite, and rare earth metals.
• North Korea shares a border with China to the northeast. China is North Korea’s main ally and trading partner, providing economic and diplomatic support. However, their relationship has been strained at times, particularly regarding North Korea’s nuclear program and regional security issues. China has participated in international efforts to address these issues, including through the United Nations Security Council.

Conclusion

China’s relations with its neighbors are characterized by a mix of cooperation, competition, and strategic engagement. While economic ties and regional initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) have fostered collaboration, issues such as territorial disputes and geopolitical tensions have also posed challenges. Overall, China seeks to balance its regional interests through diplomacy and economic partnerships, aiming for stability, mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence with its neighboring countries.

FAQ on List of Countries Bordered By China

What is the significance of China’s border with Russia?

China’s border with Russia is one of the longest in the world and plays a crucial role in trade, energy cooperation, and geopolitical dynamics between the two major powers.

How does China’s relationship with India affect regional dynamics?

China and India share a complex relationship characterized by competition, cooperation, and occasional tensions, influencing regional politics, security, and economic development.

What are the main areas of collaboration between China and Pakistan?

China and Pakistan have strong economic and strategic ties, focusing on infrastructure projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), energy cooperation, and defense partnerships.

How does China’s engagement with Southeast Asian countries impact regional stability?

China’s interactions with Southeast Asian nations influence regional security, trade dynamics, and territorial disputes in the South China Sea, impacting stability and cooperation in the region.

What role does China play in the Central Asian region?

China is a significant player in Central Asia, engaging in infrastructure projects, energy cooperation, and trade partnerships through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

How do China’s relations with North Korea affect regional security?

China’s relationship with North Korea influences regional security dynamics, particularly regarding nuclear proliferation, stability on the Korean Peninsula, and China’s role in international efforts to address these issues.

What are the key areas of cooperation between China and Mongolia?

China and Mongolia collaborate on trade, infrastructure development, and cultural exchanges, with China being Mongolia’s largest trading partner and investing in various sectors of Mongolia’s economy.

How do China’s border disputes with neighboring countries impact its foreign policy?

China’s territorial disputes with neighboring countries like India, Japan, and several Southeast Asian nations shape its foreign policy priorities, affecting regional stability, diplomatic relations, and strategic maneuvering.

What are the economic implications of China’s relations with its neighboring countries?

China’s economic ties with neighboring countries have significant implications for regional trade, investment, and development, contributing to economic growth, infrastructure connectivity, and regional integration.

How does China balance its interests between its various neighboring countries?

China employs a mix of diplomacy, economic cooperation, and strategic engagement to balance its interests and maintain stability in its relations with neighboring countries, aiming for mutual benefit, peaceful coexistence, and regional cooperation.