Xing

Xing is a large empiric nation far to the east of Amestris, across the Great Desert and on the opposite side of the ruins of Xerxes. Separated from the cluster of western nations by expansive, sandy badlands, Xing's culture and customs vary rather greatly from those in Amestris and its border countries and little information passes freely across the harsh, barren divide in either direction. In reality, the nation of Xing is made up of fifty hereditary clans all under the rule of a single Emperor, who cements his rule by taking the daughter of each clan's chief to be his concubine and bear him an heir.

While this method works to ensure fealty to the Emperor by binding each clan to him by blood through their ruling families, it creates a great deal of contention between the clans as all the heirs compete to inherit the throne. As it stands, it is common for the various heirs and their vassals to make assassination attempts against their royal siblings in order to clear the playing field.

There is also a water route to Xing from Amestris, but it is considered to be "the long, but easy way around". Though Xing's military and technology are strong, they lack the power of firearms and militarist alchemy. They probaly have the best realtions with Amestris due them not fightning wars because of the Desert seprating them and neither want to have to take the desert land even though they would get the other countrys terrotories.

Culture
Xing is ruled by emperors who take a wife from every clan of Xing, giving every clan a chance to get to power. However, most clans are very small and it is not uncommon that rival clans make assassination attempts against rival princes or princesses. Of the fifty clans only two have been named in the course of the series - the Yao clan (from which Ling, Lan Fan and Fu come) and the Chan clan (from which Mei and Xiao-Mei come). The clans seem to be rivals, as Mei Chan and Lan Fan fight in Dr. Knox's apartment.

Technology
The people of Xing have developed hand grenade-like weapons that come in many variations, ranging from flashbangs to explosives. Xing don't seem to use firearms, as Fu was clearly shocked to see how powerful cannons can be.

Alchemy
The Xingese had learned Alchemy from a man described with blond hair who had come from the West. The name of this man has not been revealed yet. However, it is most likely Van Hohenheim, as firstly, Hohenheim has blond hair. Secondly, he came from Xerxes, which is to the west of Xing. Thirdly, he was rescued from the desert by Xingese people who brought him back to Xing after Xerxes was destroyed. Lastly, Hohenheim and Father were pretty much the only alchemists in that area of the world after Xerxes was destroyed. The Xingese do not use Alchemy like the Amestrisians. Instead they use another form of such being used to form medical purposes. They haven't discovered a way to use their version of Alchemy in war yet. Also, unlike Amestrisians, they believe their Alchemical powers come from Earth's veins, called "The Vein's of Dragon". However, Mei Chan, who is the only Xingese Alchemist other than Hohenheim, has shown that she can use Rentanjustsu, or Alkahestry, for combat purposes. This is shown when she saves the Head Miner of Youswell from a collapsing mine using her long range kunai alchemy circles and also when she saved Scar from State Alchemists by blowing up a Water tank, again by using her long range Kunai alchemy circles. Also, she is shown to be able to set lots of alchemy circles using her Kunai, and control each and every specific one using Rentanjutsu. This is shown when she sets traps under the snow and creates a small explosion when Envy stepped on them.

Trivia

 * Xing can be considered the equivalent of China in the world of Full Metal Alchemist, as people are very skilled in martial arts and have invented portable explosives.
 * The Xingese were taught alchemy by "a Wise Man from the West".
 * When leaving the country as a fugitive, Maria Ross went to Xing so no one would know she was alive.
 * Xing's medicine-based Alkahestry parallels China's early alchemic studies. The Chinese sought after the secrets behind alchemy strictly for healing purposes.