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{{short description|Ethnic group}}
{{short description|Ethnic group}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2015}}
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[[File:Carrier.jpg|thumb|A porter in China wearing a ''[[Asian conical hat|dǒulì]]'']]
'''Chinese people''' are the various individuals or ethnic groups associated with [[China]], usually through ancestry, ethnicity, nationality, citizenship, or other affiliation.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Harding |first=Harry |year=1993 |title=The Concept of "greater China": Themes, Variations and Reservations |journal=The China Quarterly |issue=136 |pages=660–86 |jstor=655587 }}</ref>
'''Chinese people''' are the various individuals or ethnic groups associated with [[China]], usually through ancestry, ethnicity, nationality, citizenship, or other affiliation.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Harding |first=Harry |year=1993 |title=The Concept of "greater China": Themes, Variations and Reservations |journal=The China Quarterly |issue=136 |pages=660–86 |jstor=655587 }}</ref>


Revision as of 16:20, 28 December 2019

For the dominant Chinese ethnic group, see Han Chinese.

Chinese people are the various individuals or ethnic groups associated with China, usually through ancestry, ethnicity, nationality, citizenship, or other affiliation.[1]

The Han Chinese are the largest ethnic group in China, comprising approximately 92% of its mainland population.[2] Han Chinese people also comprise approximately 95% of the population of Taiwan,[3][4] approximately 92% of the population of Hong Kong,[5][6] and approximately 89% of the population of Macau.[7] They are also the world's largest ethnic group, comprising approximately 18% of the global human population.[8][9]

Outside of China, the terms "Han Chinese" and "Chinese" are often used synonymously since the Han Chinese are the most populous ethnic group in China.[10][11] In addition to the Han Chinese, there are 55 officially-recognized ethnic minorities in China who may also identify as "Chinese".

Although Hong Kong and Macau are both under Chinese sovereignty, both regions are highly autonomous. Hong Kong and Macau are respectively governed by international treaties known as the "Sino-British Joint Declaration" and the "Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration". Residents of both regions can possess various nationalities.

People from Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), may also be referred to as "Chinese" in various contexts, though they are usually referred to as "Taiwanese". The territory of Taiwan is disputed and the ROC has limited recognition of its sovereignty.

There is also an extensive Chinese diaspora known as the "Overseas Chinese".

Ethnic groups in China and associated territories

Further information: Ethnic minorities in China, List of ethnic groups in China and Taiwan, and Unrecognized ethnic groups in China
File:Beijing-Niujie-Minzu-Tuanjie-Da-Jiating-3666.jpg
Portion of a mural in Beijing depicting the 56 recognized ethnic groups of China
The Han Chinese comprise a majority portion of the Chinese population

A number of ethnic groups within China, as well as people elsewhere with ancestry in the region, may be referred to as Chinese people.[12]

Ethnic groups in China

Han Chinese people, the largest ethnic group in China, are often referred to as "Chinese" or "ethnic Chinese" in English.[10][11][13] The Han Chinese also form a majority or notable minority in other countries, and they comprise approximately 18% of the global human population.[8][9]

Other ethnic groups in China include the Zhuang, Hui, Manchus, Uyghurs, and Miao, who make up the five largest ethnic minorities in mainland China, with populations of approximately 10 million or more. In addition, the Yi, Tujia, Tibetans and Mongols each have populations between five and ten million.

China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), recognizes 56 native Chinese ethnic groups. There are also several unrecognized ethnic groups in China.

Ethnic groups in the Qing dynasty of China (1644–1911)

During the Qing dynasty the term "Chinese people" (Chinese: 中國之人 Zhōngguó zhī rén; Manchu: Dulimbai gurun i niyalma) was used by the Qing government to refer to all subjects of the empire, including Han, Manchu, and Mongols.[14]

Zhonghua minzu (the "Chinese nation")

Zhonghua minzu (simplified Chinese: 中华民族; traditional Chinese: 中華民族; pinyin: Zhōnghuá Mínzú), the "Chinese nation", is a supra-ethnic concept which includes all 56 ethnic groups living in China that are officially recognized by the government of the People's Republic of China. It includes established ethnic groups who have lived within the borders of China since at least the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911).[15] The term zhonghua minzu was used during the Republic of China from 1911–1949 to refer to a subset of five ethnic groups in China.[16] The term zhongguo renmin (Chinese: 中国人民), "Chinese people", was the government's preferred term during the life of Mao Zedong; zhonghua minzu is more common in recent decades.[17]

Ethnic groups in Taiwan

Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), recognizes 17 native Taiwanese ethnic groups as well as numerous other "New Immigrant" ethnic groups (mostly originating from China and Southeast Asia). Of the 17 native Taiwanese ethnic groups, 16 are considered to be indigenous (Taiwanese indigenous peoples),[18] whereas one is considered to be a colonizing population (Han Taiwanese).[19] There are also several unrecognized indigenous ethnic groups in Taiwan.

The Han Taiwanese, who are Han Chinese people living in Taiwan, are usually categorized by the Taiwanese government into three main ethnic groups; the Taiwanese Hoklos, Taiwanese Hakkas, and Mainlanders (Taiwanese) (i.e. "Mainland Chinese people in Taiwan"). The Kinmenese and Matsunese peoples are two other significant Han Taiwanese ethnic groups.

The Hoklos and Hakkas are both considered to be "native" populations of Taiwan since they first began migrating to Taiwan in significant numbers from mainland China (mostly from Fujian and Guangdong) over 400 years ago (they first began migrating to Taiwan in minor numbers several centuries earlier). They are often collectively referred to in Taiwanese Mandarin as "Benshengren" (meaning "people from this province"). The Hoklos comprise approximately 70% of Taiwan's total population and the Hakkas comprise approximately 14% of Taiwan's total population.

Meanwhile, the so-called Mainlanders (Taiwanese) are mostly descended from people who migrated from mainland China to Taiwan during the 1940s and 1950s, usually in the context of the Second World War, Second Sino-Japanese War, and Chinese Civil War. They are often referred to in Taiwanese Mandarin as "Waishengren" (meaning "people from outside of this province"). The Mainlanders (Taiwanese) comprise approximately 14% of Taiwan's total population.

Collectively, the various Taiwanese indigenous peoples comprise approximately 2% of Taiwan's total population. The various Taiwanese indigenous peoples are believed to have been living in Taiwan for up to 6000 years prior to the colonization of Taiwan by China which began during the 17th century (CE).

Recognition by the Chinese government

The Han Taiwanese, Native Taiwanese (Benshengren), Hoklo Taiwanese, Hakka Taiwanese, Mainlander Taiwanese (Waishengren), Kinmenese, and Matsunese ethnic groups (all subtypes or branches of the Han Chinese ethnic group) are all unrecognized by the Chinese government. Furthermore, the sixteen Taiwanese indigenous peoples that are officially recognized by the Taiwanese government are also all unrecognized by the Chinese government. The Chinese government also doesn't recognize the ethnic designation "New Immigrant".

The Chinese government instead has its own ethnic designations for Taiwanese people. Han Taiwanese people are considered to be Han Chinese people (no distinction is made), whereas the various recognized and unrecognized (by Taiwan) Taiwanese indigenous peoples are collectively recognized (by China) to be "Gaoshanren" (i.e. "High Mountain People"). The Gaoshanren are one of the 56 officially-recognized ethnic groups of China.

Nationality, citizenship and residence

Tibetans in Qinghai
Hui people in Xinjiang

The Nationality law of the People's Republic of China regulates nationality within the PRC. A person obtains nationality either by birth when at least one parent is of Chinese nationality or by naturalization. All people holding nationality of the People's Republic of China are citizens of the Republic.[20] The Resident Identity Card is the official form of identification for residents of the People's Republic of China.

Within the People's Republic of China, a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport or Macao Special Administrative Region passport may be issued to permanent residents of Hong Kong or Macao, respectively.

The Nationality law of the Republic of China regulates nationality within the Republic of China (Taiwan). A person obtains nationality either by birth or by naturalization. A person with at least one parent who is a national of the Republic of China, or born in the ROC to stateless parents qualifies for nationality by birth.[21]

The National Identification Card is an identity document issued to people who have household registration in Taiwan. The Resident Certificate is an identification card issued to residents of the Republic of China who do not hold a National Identification Card.

The relationship between Taiwanese nationality and Chinese nationality is disputed.[22]

Overseas Chinese

Overseas Chinese refers to people of Chinese ethnicity or national heritage who live outside the People's Republic of China or Taiwan as the result of the continuing diaspora.[23] People with one or more Chinese ancestors may consider themselves overseas Chinese.[24] Such people vary widely in terms of cultural assimilation. In some areas throughout the world ethnic enclaves known as Chinatowns are home to populations of Chinese ancestry.

In Southeast Asia, Chinese people call themselves 華人 (Huárén), which is distinguished from (中國人 Zhōngguórén) or the citizens of the People's Republic of China or the Republic of China.[25] This is especially so in the Chinese communities of Southeast Asia. The term Zhongguoren has a more political or ideological aspect in its use; while many in China may use Zhongguoren to mean the Chinese ethnicity, some in Taiwan would refuse to be called Zhongguoren.[26]

See also

For countries with significant populations

For countries with noteworthy populations

Other countries with Chinese populations

Related topics of interest

References

  1. ^ Harding, Harry (1993). "The Concept of "greater China": Themes, Variations and Reservations". The China Quarterly (136): 660–86. JSTOR 655587.
  2. ^ CIA Factbook: "Han Chinese 91.6%" out of a reported population of 1,379 billion (July 2017 est.)
  3. ^ 中華民國國情簡介 [ROC Vital Information]. Executive Yuan (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 2016. Archived from the original on 18 February 2017. Retrieved 23 August 2016. 臺灣住民以漢人為最大族群，約占總人口97%
  4. ^ Executive Yuan, R.O.C. (2014). The Republic of China Yearbook 2014 (PDF). p. 36. ISBN 978-986-04-2302-0. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  5. ^ 2016 Population By-census – Summary Results (Report). Census and Statistics Department. February 2016. p. 37. Retrieved 14 March 2017.
  6. ^ 2016 Population By-Census Detailed Results (Report). Statistics and Census Service. May 2017. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  7. ^ Population By-Census 2016, p. 47.
  8. ^ a b Zhang, Feng; Su, Bing; Zhang, Ya-ping; Jin, Li (22 February 2007). "Genetic Studies of Human Diversity in East Asia". Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 362 (1482): 987–996. doi:10.1098/rstb.2007.2028. PMC 2435565. PMID 17317646.
  9. ^ a b Zhao, Yong-Bin; Zhang, Ye; Zhang, Quan-Chao; Li, Hong-Jie; Cui, Ying-Qiu; Xu, Zhi; Jin, Li; Zhou, Hui; Zhu, Hong (2015). "Ancient DNA Reveals That the Genetic Structure of the Northern Han Chinese Was Shaped Prior to three-thousand Years Ago". PLoS ONE. 10 (5): e0125676. Bibcode:2015PLoSO..1025676Z. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0125676. PMC 4418768. PMID 25938511.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)
  10. ^ a b Who are the Chinese people? (in Chinese). Huayuqiao.org. Retrieved on 2013-04-26.
  11. ^ a b "Han". Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (Tenth ed.). Merriam-Webster. 1993.
  12. ^ "Chinese". Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (Tenth ed.). Merriam-Webster. 1993.
  13. ^ Yang, Miaoyan (2017). Learning to Be Tibetan: The Construction of Ethnic Identity at Minzu. Lexington Books (published 17 March 2017). p. 7. ISBN 978-1498544634.
  14. ^ Zhao, Gang (2006). "Reinventing China: Imperial Qing ideology and the rise of Modern Chinese national identity in the early twentieth century" (PDF). Modern China. 32 (3). Sage: 3–30. doi:10.1177/0097700405282349. Archived from the original on 25 March 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2016.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  15. ^ "Brief Introduction Chinese nationality". Chinatraveldepot.com. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  16. ^ Millward, James A. (2007). Eurasian Crossroads: A History of Xinjiang. Columbia University Press. ISBN 978-0-231-13924-3.
  17. ^ Jenner, W.J.F. (2004). "Race and history in China". In Alan Lawrance (ed.). China Since 1919: Revolution and Reform: a Sourcebook. Psychology Press. pp. 252–255. ISBN 978-0-415-25141-9.
  18. ^ Copper, John F. (2014). Historical Dictionary of Taiwan (Republic of China). Rowman & Littlefield. p. 53. ISBN 978-1-4422-4307-1.
  19. ^ "About Taiwan". Taiwan (official website). Retrieved 5 December 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  20. ^ "Constitution of the People's Republic of China (Article 33)". People's Daily Online. 2 May 1982. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  21. ^ "Nationality Act". Laws & Regulations Database of the Republic of China. 27 January 2006. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  22. ^ "Nationality Act". National Immigration Agency, immigration.gov.tw. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007.
  23. ^ Barabantseva, Elena (2010). Overseas Chinese, Ethnic Minorities and Nationalism: De-Centering China. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-136-92736-2.
  24. ^ Park, Yoon Jung (2008). A Matter of Honour: Being Chinese in South Africa. Lexington Books. p. 155. ISBN 978-0-7391-3553-2.
  25. ^ Beeson, Mark (2008). Contemporary Southeast Asia. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 118. ISBN 978-1-137-06880-4.
  26. ^ Language, Politics and Identity in Taiwan: Naming China. Routledge. pp. 162–164. ISBN 9781135046354. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |authors= ignored (help)
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