China profile - Timeline A chronology of key events:

''ca 1700-1046 BC - Shang Dynasty - the first Chinese state for which clear written records remain - unites much of north central China.

1045-ca 770 BC - Zhou dynasty replaces Shang as dominant force across northern China,

ca 770 BC - Zhou state collapses into loose association of warring states, known as the Eastern Zhou.

Imperial China

221-206 BC - King Ying Zheng of Qin for the first time unites much of the Chinese heartland, becomes the first ruler to use the title "emperor" as Qin Shihuangdi ("First Qin Emperor") and builds first Great Wall of China, but his empire quickly collapses after his death. After a brief period of instability, Liu Bang founds the Han dynasty...''

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