Chinese people
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The term Chinese people may refer to any of the following:
- A person who resides in and holds citizenship of the People's Republic of China (including Hong Kong and Macau) or the Republic of China (Taiwan). This definition stems from a legal perspective.
- The Chinese nation (Zhonghua minzu), a supra-ethnic concept which includes the Han Chinese and other established ethnic groups who have lived within the borders of China since at least the Qing Dynasty. This definition stems from a nationality perspective, and includes most overseas Chinese.
- A person of Han Chinese ancestry is often simply referred to as Chinese or ethnic Chinese in Western countries. This includes most overseas Chinese. This definition stems from a genealogical perspective. Note that some overseas Chinese may not necessarily identify with either the PRC or the ROC.
- The song Zhongguo Ren (lit. The Chinese People) by Andy Lau
Many factors must be considered when deciding whether a person is Chinese. Apart from nationality (legal) reasons, place of residence (geographical factors), race (biological reasons), and ancestry (historical and genealogical factors), recognition as a Chinese and identifying with Chinese by that person and other people (mainly with those who share a close or intimate relationship with that person) is also very important.
