|
|
|
|
Mainland China
|
| |
|
| |
Mainland China, Continental China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China (PRC), excluding Hong Kong and Macau, which run on different economic and political systems. The term never includes Taiwan, which is claimed by the PRC, but is under the jurisdiction of the Republic of China (ROC).
In the English language, "China" is often synonymous with mainland China.
Discussion
Ask a question about 'Mainland China' Start a new discussion about 'Mainland China' Answer questions from other users |
Recent Posts
Encyclopedia
Mainland China, Continental China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China (PRC), excluding Hong Kong and Macau, which run on different economic and political systems. The term never includes Taiwan, which is claimed by the PRC, but is under the jurisdiction of the Republic of China (ROC).
In the English language, "China" is often synonymous with mainland China. In Chinese, however, use of "China" to refer to the mainland China is more politically sensitive, mostly due to the political status of Taiwan. There are two terms in Chinese for "Mainland". Namely, Dalu and Neidi . The usage of the two terms are generally interchangeable and there is no prescribed method of reference in any jurisdiction.
The Island of Hainan is administratively considered as part of mainland China, but may be considered as an overseas terrtory for geographic purposes.
Background
Before and after World War II, two political entities fought for control of China. Eventually, in 1949, the Communist Party of China emerged victorious against the Kuomintang (KMT, Chinese Nationalist Party), whose leader and administration fled to Taiwan. The Communist Party claimed to be the sole legitimate government of China on October 1, 1949, and named the state the People's Republic of China. The Republic of China, based in Taiwan, an island which the Republic of China took control of after the Japanese surrender of 1945, also claimed to be China's sole legitimate government. This made for an interesting geopolitical scene since, with two co-existing governments each claiming international legitimacy as the government of China. Communist leader Mao Zedong vowed to attack Taiwan and destroy the KMT, and KMT leader Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek vowed to attack the Communists, now based across the Taiwan Strait in mainland China. As this political framework solidified, the term "mainland China" emerged as a politically neutral term to refer to the area under control of the Communist Party of China. Supporters of Taiwan's independence prefer using "China" to refer to the People's Republic of China, as using "mainland China" would imply that Taiwan is part of China.
When the People's Republic of China was founded, Hong Kong and Macau were still colonies of Great Britain and Portugal, respectively. As a result, "Mainland China" also excluded these two territories. Since the return of Hong Kong and Macau to Chinese sovereignty in 1997 and 1999, respectively, the two territories have retained their legal, political, and economic systems. The territories also have their distinct identities. Therefore "Mainland China" generally continues to exclude these territories, because of the "One country, two systems" policy adopted by the PRC central government towards the regions. The term is also used in economic indicators, such as the IMD Competitiveness Report.
The usage of the term "mainland China" is more limited in the English language, with "China" being the common term used to refer to the People's Republic of China and the areas under it's control.
Usage of the term
The term is variously capitalised Mainland China or mainland China (or the Mainland/the mainland) by authoritative users.
In Taiwan
In Taiwan, the term "Mainlander" can also refer to waishengren , which are the people who emigrated to Taiwan from Mainland China with the Kuomintang (KMT) around the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949, as well as their descendants born in Taiwan. The status of waishengren in Taiwan is a divisive political issue. For many years mainlanders were given special treatment by the KMT government which had imposed martial law on Taiwan. More recently, pro-Taiwan independence politicians calling into question their loyalty and devotion to Taiwan and pro-Chinese reunification politicians accusing the pro-independence politicians of playing identity politics. The term "Mainlander" can also refer to daluren , meaning people who live in mainland China.
In Hong Kong and Macau
In Hong Kong and Macau, the term "mainland China" and "mainlander" is frequently used for people from China mainland. This usage is not geographically accurate, however, as much of the land area of both Hong Kong and Macau are peninsulas connected to the continent. The Chinese term ??, meaning the inland but still translated Mainland in English, is commonly applied by SAR governments to represent non-SAR areas of PRC, including Hainan and coastal regions of Mainland China, such as "Constitutional and Mainland Affairs" (????????) and Immigration Departments.
In Mainland China
In the PRC, the term ?? ("Inland") is often separated by the external term or for things outside of the mainland region. Examples include "Administration of Foreign-funded Banks" (???????????????) or the "Measures on Administration of Representative Offices of Foreign Insurance Institutions" (????????????????).
In Hainan
Hainan is an offshore island, therefore geographcially it is an overseas territory of People's Republic of China. Nevertheless, politically it is common practice to consider it just as part of the mainland because its government, legal, political system does not differ from the rest of People's Republic of China in the geographcial mainland.
Others
Other use of geography-related terms are also often used where neutrality is required.
Simplified
Chinese | Traditional
Chinese | Pinyin | Jyutping | Description |
|---|
| ???? | ???? | liang'àn guanxì | loeng5 ngon6 gwaan1 hai6 | Reference to the Taiwan Strait (Cross-Strait relations, literally "relations between the two sides/shores of the Strait of Taiwan) | | ???? | ???? | Haixiá liang'àn | hoi2 haap6 loeng5 ngon6 | The physical shores on both sides of the straits, "two shores" may be used. | | ???? | ???? | liang'àn sandì | loeng5 ngon6 saam1 dei6 | An extension of this is the term "two shores, three places", with "three places" meaning mainland China (??/??), Taiwan (??/??) and Hong Kong/Macau (??/??). | | ???? | ???? | liang'àn sìdì | loeng5 ngon6 sei3 dei6 | When referring to either Hong Kong or Macau, or "two shores, four places" when referring to both Hong Kong and Macau (??/??) | |
See also
External links
|
| |
|
|
