China

China, currently the People's Republic of China, is a nation state in East Asia, and the most populous country in the world. It has also been a popular location for Sesame Street productions, as well as a leading manufacturer and exporter of plush Muppet merchandise.

People and Culture
The people of China are a friendly and polite lot. Human residents of China include Xiao Foo and the children of North Hisi0 Kindergarten. Native Muppets include Big Bird's identical cousin Da Niao, Hu Hu Zhu, Xiao Mei Zi and Ming. In China, according to a Washington Post article, "the Muppets adore opera and revere their philosopher ancestors... The local producers toyed with substituting a panda for Big Bird before finally settling on the original (Dia Niao)."

Politics
Although China has been a communist nation since the People's Republic gained government control in 1949, this has done little to affect the nation's economic prosperity or its attractiveness to bird tourists or US educators. The government imposes tight controls on the media, particularly on TV, to guard against politically or culturally objectionable images. While this can be limiting and place a hamper on creativity, it did not prevent Big Bird in China nor the recent co-production Zhima Jie, which ran for three seasons. ."

Foreign Relations
Big Bird has been a frequent visitor to China, beginning with the 1979 special The Road to China. That initial encounter was frought with miscommunications, as Chinese chefs attempted to broil the Big Bird, and in real life, the local production coordinators initially tried to place Big Bird in a condor nest. A more elaborate diplomatic mission was documented in Big Bird in China

Transportation
Within China, which can be reached by a large ship (or a slow boat), transportation options appear limited. Bicycles are popular, and can occasionally create traffic hazards for visiting birds. Walking is commonplace and encouraged, and many small boats go by in the country's waterways. For covering larger distances, motorcycles with sidecars are available for the convenience of tourists and their dogs.