The term Chinese people may refer to any of the following:
- People with Han Chinese ethnicity (often simply referred to as "Chinese" or "ethnic Chinese" in English).
- The Zhonghua minzu, 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, such as Han, Zhuang, Manchu, Tibetans, and other established ethnic groups who have lived within the borders of China since at least the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911).
- People who hold citizenship of the People's Republic of China (mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau).
- People who hold citizenship of Republic of China (Taiwan) (See political status of Taiwan).
Race (hereditary reasons), nationality, citizenship, place of residence (geographical factors), and ancestry (historical and genealogical factors) can be used to define someone as Chinese.
Famous quotes containing the word people:
“For the baby suckles and there is a people made of milk for her to use. There are milk trees to hiss her on. There are milk beds in which to lie and dream of a warm room. There are milk fingers to fold and unfold. There are milk bottoms that are wet and caressed and put into their cotton.”
—Anne Sexton (1928–1974)