ABSTRACT
China abandoned Chairman Mao's policy of collectivization which had ruined the countryside, bringing famines and misery to the people of China. The Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) is largest fighting force of the world with three million soldiers. They are well supplied with sophisticated weapons and equipment. Jacques Martin observed that Chinese civilization is the oldest continuous civilization among the river valley civilizations of the world. Beyond the Indian borders, however, Buddhism spread far and wide, crossing the Himalayas through Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet, and its teachings reached over to Nanking and other centres of China. Much attention has been paid to Buddhism as a great force in Chinese social, cultural and religious traditions. That has been considered the basis of India-China friendship and goodwill for centuries. The Chinese are very proud of their ancient culture and heritage. It is generally believed that Confucianism was the most important element which provided philosophical base to Chinese thought and Chinese way of life.
