China

China (Chinese: 中国; pinyin: Zhōngguó), officially the People's Republic of China (PRC; Chinese: 中华人民共和国; pinyin: Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of more than 1.4 billion. China spans five geographical time zones and borders 14 countries, the second most of any country in the world after Russia. Covering an area of approximately 9.6 million square kilometers (3,700,000 sq mi), it is the world's third or fourth largest country. The country consists of 23 provinces, five autonomous regions, four municipalities, and two Special Administrative Regions (Hong Kong and Macau). The national capital is Beijing, and the most populous city and financial center is Shanghai.

Modern Chinese trace their origins back to a cradle of civilization in the fertile basin of the Yellow River in the North China Plain. The semi-legendary Xia dynasty in the 21st century BCE and the well-attested Shang and Zhou dynasties developed a bureaucratic political system to serve hereditary monarchies, or dynasties, and the Hundred Schools of Thought debated the relation of state, family, and individual. In the third century BCE, Qin's wars of unification finally created the first Chinese empire, the short-lived Qin dynasty. The more stable Han dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE) established a model for nearly two millennia in which the Chinese empire was one of the world's foremost economic powers. The empire expanded, fractured and re-unified, was conquered, absorbed foreign religions and ideas, and made world-leading scientific advances, such as Four Great Inventions, gunpowder, paper, the compass, and printing. After centuries of disunion following the fall of the Han, the Tang dynasty (618-907) achieved what the Roman Empire could not: reunification of the empire. The multi-ethnic Tang welcomed foreign trade and culture that came over the Silk Road and adapted Buddhism to Chinese needs. The early modern Song dynasty (960-1279) became increasingly urban and commercial. The civilian scholar-official or literati used the examination system and the doctrines of Neo-Confucianism to replace the military aristocrats of earlier dynasties. The Mongol invasion established the Yuan dynasty in 1279, but the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) re-established Han Chinese control. The Manchu-led Qing dynasty nearly doubled the empire's territory and established a multi-ethnic state that was the basis of the modern Chinese nation but suffered heavy losses to foreign imperialism in the 19th century.

The Chinese monarchy collapsed in 1912 with the Xinhai Revolution, when the Republic of China (ROC) replaced the Qing dynasty. Japan invaded China in 1937, starting the Second Sino-Japanese War and temporarily halting the civil war between the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Kuomintang. The surrender and expulsion of Japanese forces from China in 1945 left a power vacuum in the country, which led to renewed fighting between the CCP and the Kuomintang. The civil war ended in 1949 with the division of Chinese territory; the CCP established the People's Republic of China on the mainland while the Kuomintang-led ROC government retreated to the island of Taiwan. Both claims to be the sole legitimate government of China, although the United Nations has recognized the PRC as the sole representation since 1971. From 1959 to 1961, the PRC implemented an economic and social campaign called the Great Leap Forward that resulted in an estimated 15 to 55 million deaths, mostly through starvation. China conducted a series of economic reforms since 1978 and entered into the World Trade Organization in 2001.

China is currently governed as a unitary one-party socialist republic by the CCP. China is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and a founding member of several multilateral and regional cooperation organizations such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the Silk Road Fund, the New Development Bank, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and the RCEP, and is a member of the BRICS, the G8+5, the G20, the APEC, and the East Asia Summit. It ranks among the lowest in international measurements of civil liberties, government transparency, freedom of the press, freedom of religion and ethnic minorities. The Chinese authorities have been criticized by political dissidents and human rights activists for widespread human rights abuses, including political repression, mass censorship, mass surveillance of their citizens and violent suppression of protests.

China is the world's largest economy by GDP at purchasing power parity, the second-largest economy by nominal GDP, and the second-wealthiest country. The country is one of the fastest growing major economies and is the world's largest manufacturer and exporter. China is a recognized nuclear-weapon state with the world's largest standing army by military personnel and second-largest defense budget. China is considered to be a potential superpower due to its large markets, growing military strength, economic potential, and influence in international affairs.

Ikran's Mortal Kombat Khronology[]

"How...did they become so fluent in English?"
"Well. Did you know that Great Britain owns Hong Kong?"
- Aiko to Kung Lao, surprised on the monks knowing so much English

China was basically the breadbasket of the Mortal Kombat series, as well as Ikran's fanfics. Whether it'd be the birthplace as well as training grounds for Earthrealm's best fighters (specifically Liu Kang, Kung Lao, the Great Kung Lao, Kai, Chan Kang, Shang Tsung, Kuai and Bi-Han, etc.). A lot of symbolism is represented there, even places like the Wu Shi Academy, the Yellow River, the Bayan Har Mountains, the Order of Light, and others.

The earliest incident in China was perhaps in 1442 in which the Great Kung Lao was first trained by Raiden for the MK tournament against Shang Tsung, the Order of Light was created beforehand, although Lao was victorious. Unfortunately, after 50 years, he failed to win against the Shokan prince, Goro, and he's been the unstoppable Champion for 5 centuries. Soon after, the White Lotus Society was formed.

In 1992, the first modern tournament began with Liu Kang as the victor. He, Kitana, Johnny and Sonya returned to Earthrealm where Raiden was waiting near the Temple of Light. It was a brief moment of peace until Shao Kahn entered Earth temporarily as a warning of another tournament. They returned to Shang's Island where everyone ran amok fighting each other, then soon returned to the Wu Shi Academy before the island collapsed. The victory ritual was held until the Tarkatans attacked! Liu and Lao assisted Johnny and fended the Academy while also extinguishing the flames, and Sonya was captured by Baraka then taken back to Outworld but at Kahn's Arena. They'd been gone a few weeks while the Shaolin were repairing the damage.

Liu and Lao returned after their victories and a miniature celebration was held. Lao reunited with his nephew, Kung Jin, and after he went back to the party from the Kung Kottage, a drunken monk wailed to him that he and Liu were cursed with eternal life as Champions! Lao was grief-stricken, and he hadn't returned in a trimester. At first, Aiko was intimidated of the Chinese, as they were always imperialistic, though Kung Lao shown her his culture and realized the Shaolin as well as the White Lotus Society were a benevolent kind. She grew fascinated with her new home as well as Kung Jin. Oftentimes, the world's best fighters, artisans, agriculturalists, and scholars were enlisted there, specifically at the Academy.

Of course, this was also the breadbasket of the side stories, whether it'd be Aiko meeting her physicist, Dr. Esuna Kavita, or joining the White Lotus, or celebrating their own Valentine's Day in August or Christmas. Even her first date with Kung Lao.

There was even a moment in Shanghai whereas Sonya was chasing after a convict named Jarek. A meteor fell near the Bayan Mountains which turned out to be the wounded Fujin. When Earthrealm began to merge, a massive portal was displayed in the sky while the Academy was invaded by Kahn's extermination squads, nearly like the Tarkan invasion. Regardless of those incidences, Nightwolf began to live there as well advancing surveillance and have a better sense of belonging despite being an outcast of the Matokan. The Order of Light were open to all religions and cultures, excepting fanatical ones. Aiko soon became a permanent citizen shortly after Liu Kang left for America to train more Shaolin warriors; it was a coping method since she read up on America's criminal history and corruption, even future collateral damage done by President Clinton.

It soon housed some escapees of Edenia temporarily as Kung Lao and Aiko escorted the wounded prisoners to the Wu Shi Academy and near the Temple of Light urgently waiting for the fall of Shinnok. Eventually, they left after a few days, and the monks were anticipating when they'd show up again, albeit peacefully.

Quan Chi and Shang Tsung escaped into Earthrealm and spotted Liu Kang training in the Wu Shi Arena. They made their move eliminating the former Champion as they infiltrated the place, putting the monks on high alert! Still, Raiden, Nightwolf, Kung Lao, and Aiko remained determined to avenge Liu Kang's spirit and put a stop to the Deadly Alliance.

Several days later, Lao was successful on massacring the demonic duo, and he was able to lay Liu's spirit to rest at the newly erected Tomb. He laid a candle of incense with the others and then made some tearful prayers before his Shaolin brother's spirit was lifted. However, Nightwolf interrupted the ceremony as he alerted of Onaga's resurrection!

Moments later, Lao and Raiden's subconscious wandered back to the past, in a small, desolated village in 1964. Before Lao and Liu were born, Shujinko trained himself with Bo' Rai Cho, and Apep lead him from class to class. As he mastered all of the lardo's techniques, he doubted the kid he was ready, as the monoliths kept the town safe from monstrous threats. Damashi then appeared before him and offered him the ability to mimic other warriors; with that, Shujinko was successful, and he began his quest for the Kamidogu. He even visited the Lin Kuei Temple, became a new recruit and found the Kamidogu while keeping it away from the Red Dragons. Before Lao followed him into the Nexus portal, Raiden warned he should continue as the kid may hold the keys needed to thwart Onaga, as he recalled visiting him and experiencing his talents.

Lao hadn't returned to China in the temporal flux, although Kenshi met up with Aiko suspecting some unusual activity in Outworld; he took her thru from Liu's Tomb. They soon returned with Liu, Sindel, Kitana, Jade, Jerrod and the Edenian resistance. They were on their way to the Temple of Elements to defend Shinnok's Amulet, although it was thanks to Fujin's portal that guided them; Liu decided to stick with Jerrod as he asked his grandfather who Damashi and Shujinko were. He knew the teen, but it was so long ago, and Damashi wasn't a name but a word meaning deception! With the startled intel, they met up with Hanzo and Lao only to follow a dark aura who turned out to be an erratic Raiden! He beheaded the mimic, intruded the tomb, reanimated Liu's corpse and wreaked havoc onto the Shaolin! Kenshi and Aiko traced the chaos, and she assisted the evacuation while Kenshi, Fujin, and Lao won over the zombie but was incapacitated by the corrupt God! Nightwolf conjured a rainstorm and activated an EMP knocking out the power and stunned Raiden, till he was struck as the former crippled God restored himself! He restored the duo and greeted the Kombatants, then reminded they must unite the Champions to slay Onaga.

Almost all the monks were brought to the Sky Temple to await Lao's and Liu's fates as their souls were being separated and cleansed by an ancient technique from the brother gods. It was soon passed on they emerged victorious and was a shock when Liu was his lively self again.

By the time the events of Koherence were taking place, Kung Lao was no longer living in the Academy nor was Aiko; together, they moved into what they called the Kung Kottage where Jin and his mom lived in for years. There was only one bedchamber and so when they decided to move in with each other, it'd be better with family. It was after all less than a mile away yet within the Order. Raiden, Liu, Lao and Nightwolf were making hasty prep one night, so they'd arrive at the Matokan land in the East Coast a day later, which left Aiko with butterflies in her stomach. Lao and Raiden promised they'd return, and it'd be over before she'd know it. After that, she'd train with Kenshi in the skill of coherence, the ability to use both her heart and mind simultaneously. They'd visit the White Lotus, they'd climb the 30-foot monastery, she'd gather her heart gems with the Shaolin to lift their spirits and unite them amongst their demons. And Fujin and Kai were the guides for them in Liu, Raiden and Lao's steads.

By the time the Matokan trip was done, Raiden greeted Aiko for a job well done restoring the Shaolin's hearts.

Raiden soon received disturbing visions of Armageddon, then did Liu, as there was an erratic display of lightning at the Temple of Light. While the latter went to Edenia, Raiden summoned Lao, Aiko, Kenshi, Hanzo, Kuai, Frost, Smoke, Frederick, and Nightwolf to the Grotto of the upcoming apocalypse, then he volunteered with Aiko, Lao, Nightwolf, Hanzo and Frederick to the Netherrealm to espionage on Shinnok. They soon returned with Taven and Caro via the dragon's portal, although the former was soon sent to Orin while the latter was assigned to investigate who the mysterious Oriental was who saved him earlier. Fujin arrived late and discussed with his brother of the battle, and they soon orchestrated the trials used for the original tournament; Liu, Lao, Nightwolf, Kai, and Frederick passed while Aiko failed. She and the scout stayed behind, while Liu reunited with Kitana for final moments. Lao and Aiko spent their last minutes with each other before the gang headed to Edenia. Fujin was unsure how Raiden would spread the word to the Shaolin, but thanks to her heart gems, they already received particles of intel.

Moments later, there was a solar flare, and it turned out the Order and Chaosrealm were destroyed! Aiko was the first to return and everyone grieved over Liu's and Raiden's losses... She assisted some at fishing until they spotted Lao whom they thought was undead! He was still alive, although struck with grief. The couple visited Liu's Tomb to pay respects, and he caved into his sadness... That was until Fire God Liu Kang met them! He was from another era and was proud as he chose Lao to take his place as the realm's protector with Fujin!

Minutes after, Lao and Aiko were engaged, and Kai and Jin were thrilled. The former monk then decided to re-enlist himself to the Order of Light for enlightenment and inner strength. Caro then made a red portal inviting Aiko to visit the Yin Yang Island, and that was where he told her of Lord Liu Kang's involvement with history: Training the Great Kung Lao in 1442, his apparent victory/death against Goro 50 years later, and soon visiting Kung Lao and Aiko within the Tomb in 1996.

Aiko, Lao and Jin were gathered in the couple's shared bedroom, discussing as to how/why she's the only one affected by tribal drums. Fire God Liu Kang arrived and wanted to explain it all utilizing the Hourglass in Yin Yang Island, where it's revealed that she's a distant Matokan heritage like Nightwolf's!