The term
Chinese people may refer to any of the
following:
- People
who reside in and hold citizenship of the People's
Republic of China (mainland
China, Hong
Kong
and Macau
) or the
Republic of
China
(Taiwan
).
This definition stems from a legal perspective. (Note: Whether
citizenship in the Republic of China makes one "Chinese" is subject
of some political debate as supporters of Taiwan independence do not consider
Taiwan to be part of China
)
- The
Zhonghua minzu (sometimes translated
as "Chinese nation"), a supra-ethnic concept which includes all 56
ethnic groups live in China that are officially recognized by the
government of the People's Republic of China, such as Han, Zhuang,
Manchu, Tibetans, and other established ethnic groups
who have lived within the borders of China since at least the
Qing
Dynasty
(1644–1911). It may also include overseas Chinese.
- People of Han Chinese ancestry, who
are often simply referred to as "Chinese" or "ethnic Chinese" in
English.
Apart from nationality (legal) reasons, place of residence
(geographical factors), race (biological reasons), and ancestry
(historical and genealogical factors) are involved in defining
"Chineseness".
Chinese-language terms
Mandarin
- Zhōnggúorén (Traditional: 中國人 Simplified: 中国人): refers
to a person of a state called "China". Some use this term to refer
to anyone who holds citizenship of the People's Republic of China
or the Republic of China, regardless of ethnicity. Others use it
only for citizens of the People's Republic of China. Usage can
depend on political views about the status of the Republic of
China.
- Huárén (Traditional: 華人 Simplified: 华人): an overall
term to refer to any person of Chinese descent, including those in
China and abroad. However, this term is more commonly used in
referring to the overseas Chinese community and sometimes overseas
Chinese minorities.
- Huáqíao (Traditional: 華僑 Simplified: 华侨): refers to a
Chinese national or citizen living in a foreign country, who still
holds Chinese citizenship. This term was more commonly used before
1949, when China provided citizenship for many overseas
Chinese.
- Huáyì (Traditional: 華裔 Simplified: 华裔): refers to a
person of Chinese descent living in a foreign country, who does not
hold a citizenship from People's Republic of China or the Republic
of China.
Cantonese
- Lou wah kiu 老華僑: used by overseas Cantonese-speakers
to refer to a person who has lived outside of China for a long
period, usually 10 or more years.
- Tong jan 唐人: Tang Chinese,
generally synonymous with Han
Chinese.
- Tou zyu 土著: literally means "from the soil"; refers to
a Chinese person of minority ethnic groups.
- Zuk sing 竹昇: more commonly spelled as "jook-sing" in English, used to describe a
westernized person of Chinese descent.
See also
References
External links
- (covers the years 2004 and 2005)