Mainland China, Continental China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term synonymous with the area that is under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China (PRC), usually excluding the territories of Hong Kong and Macau. The term never includes Taiwan, which is claimed by the PRC, but is under the jurisdiction of the Republic of China (ROC).
In English, it is not uncommon for a reference to "China" to mean "mainland China".
The term in Chinese may or may not include Hainan Island, which is geographically separate.citation needed
Background
The highlighted area in the map is what is commonly known as "mainland China".
There has been a struggle between the two Chinese entities since the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949, when the Communist Party of China defeated the Republic of China, which was led by the Kuomintang (KMT, Chinese Nationalist Party). This led to the establishment of the PRC, which has since been based on "Mainland China".[1] It excludes the area controlled by the retreating Kuomintang, as well as the then colonies of Hong Kong and Macau.[2] Since the return of Hong Kong and Macau to Chinese sovereignty in 1997 and 1999 respectively, "Mainland China" generally continues to exclude these territories, because of the "One country, two systems" policy adopted by the PRC central government towards the SARs.[3] The term is also used in economic indicators, such as the IMD Competitiveness Report.
View of the term by groups
- In Hong Kong and Macau, the term "mainland China" and "mainlander" is frequently used for people from China mainland. For political correctness, the term (內地) has become the most common in the region. Official government groups such as "Constitutional and Mainland Affairs" (政制及內地事務局) is an examples that use the inland term.[6]
- In the PRC, the inland term (內地) is often separated by the external term (國外) or (外國) for things outside of the mainland region. Examples include "Administration of Foreign-funded Banks" (中華人民共和國外資銀行管理條例) or the "Measures on Administration of Representative Offices of Foreign Insurance Institutions" (外國保險機構駐華代表機構管理辦法).[3]
- Hainan, although politically part of the PRC and is governed under PRC law, is separate from the Chinese mainland by geography. Therefore the Hainanese may find it awkward, although not politically incorrect, to describe themselves as from "the Mainland" or "inland". As a result, if a person from Hong Kong or overseas asks if a Hainanese person is from "the mainland", it is usually the colloquial choice to simply respond with "I'm from Hainan", as it would seem awkward and geographically inaccurate to self-describe as being from either the mainland or "inland". This distinction is usually only made in the oral sense. For example, a Hainanese typically refers to a person from the mainland as a "mainlander" or "inland" in the same way a person from Hong Kong would. [7]citation needed
Others
Other use of geography-related terms are also often used where neutrality is required.
Simplified
Chinese |
Traditional
Chinese |
Pinyin |
Jyutping |
Description |
| 两岸关系 |
兩岸關係 |
liǎng'àn guānxì |
loeng5 ngon6 gwaan1 hai6 |
Reference to the Taiwan Strait (Cross-Strait relations, literally "relations between the two sides/shores of the Strait of Taiwan) |
| 海峡两岸 |
海峽兩岸 |
Hǎixiá liǎng'àn |
hoi2 haap6 loeng5 ngon6 |
The physical shores on both sides of the straits, "two shores" may be used. |
| 两岸三地 |
兩岸三地 |
liǎng'àn sāndì |
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. |
| 两岸四地 |
兩岸四地 |
liǎng'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 |
References
See also
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