Greater China

Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and regions linked to Chinese political and cultural history.

Greater China (simplified Chinese: 大中华地区; traditional Chinese: 大中華地區; pinyin: Dà Zhōnghuá Dìqū) is a term referring collectively to both the territories administered by the People's Republic of China (mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau), and territories administered by the Republic of China (Taiwan and some neighbouring islands), usually in the context of their financial markets and economies.

This term is relatively politically neutral as it largely avoids taking a position regarding the political status of Taiwan. Rather, it is based on the similar culture and economic structure of these regions. There is a high amount of cross-investment and trade among these regions, and they are all very export-oriented economies. For these reasons, it is commonly used in business and economic discussions of the region. Many multinational companies have Greater China divisions (or equivalence) to oversee their businesses in these economies.

Some supporters of Taiwan independence find the term objectionable as it implies an economic and cultural connection that they argue should not be emphasised. On the other hand, some supporters of Chinese reunification also find the term objectionable as it implies that "Greater China" is different from China. Supporters of the One China concept would hold that all of Greater China is China.

Although geographically not part of the region, due to the cultural and sociolinguistic influences on economic ties and development, and business connections, Singapore is sometimes included and is therefore taken into account in the study of the economies.

Rare use of the term

Used in rare political contexts, it may refer to the irredentist vision of some Chinese nationalists for a unified Chinese state to comprise mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau, South China Sea Islands, Outer Mongolia, Tannu Uriankhai, parts of Kazakhstan, east Kyrgyzstan, and Outer Manchuria. This usage is rare as such a vision has no active support by either the PRC or ROC, and very little support in the general population.

See also

• Chinese world - countries/dependencies/territories strongly influenced by Chinese culture.
• China proper
• East Asian Tigers
• Mainland China
• Political status of Taiwan

References

• Harry Harding (1993). "The Concept of 'Greater China': Themes, Variations, and Reservations", in The China Quarterly, 1993, pp.660-686.