Asylum countries of origin: China

The facts and figures behind China, the fifth top country by applicant for asylum in the UK in 2002.

Last year there were 3,735 applications for asylum from Chinese nationals, compared to more than 2,400 in 2001.

As in the previous year, only a small proportion - totalling 250 - were allowed to stay in the UK, either as refugees or by being granted exceptional leave to remain.

China is the world's most populous country.

During the past two decades it has experienced a period of rapid economic change but this has not been matched by political reform.

Human rights campaigners continue to criticise China for arbitrary detentions, unfair trials, failing to stop torture and executing hundreds of people every year.

They also accuse the authorities of the systematic destruction of Tibetan Buddhist culture and the restriction of religious freedoms as well as freedom of expression and association.

CHINA FACTS

Population: 1.26 billion

Capital: Beijing

Major religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism

BBC Monitoring: Full profile

Towards the end of 2002, Amnesty International said the human rights situation in China had deteriorated over the previous 18 months.

The absence of effective social welfare provisions in the country has left many of workers who have lost their jobs in recent years facing dire poverty.

The suffering has sparked the growth of ruthless gangs called snakeheads who charge up $30,000 (£18,660) to smuggle Chinese migrants to the West.