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 (mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau) or the Republic of China (Taiwan). This definition stems from a legal perspective. (Note: even though this is a legal definition, whether citizenship in the Republic of China makes one "Chinese" is subject of some political debate as supporters of Taiwan independence do not consider Taiwan to be part of China)
- The Zhonghua minzu (sometimes translated as "Chinese nation"), a supra-ethnic concept which includes the Hans, Zhuangs, Tibetans, Manchus and other established ethnic groups who have lived within the borders of China since at least the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911). However, it may include overseas Chinese.
- A person of Hans ancestry is often simply referred to as "Chinese" or "ethnic Chinese" in Western countries, though this usage is regarded as politically incorrect when used to the exclusion of non-Hans. Note that overseas Chinese people will not necessarily identify with either the People's Republic of China or the Republic of China.
Apart from nationality (legal) reasons, place of residence (geographical factors), race (biological reasons), and ancestry (historical and genealogical factors) are involved in defining "Chineseness".
- Zhongguoren 中國人 - refers to a person who is holding the citizenship of the People's Republic of China or the Republic of China, sometimes known as "Chinese nationals or citizens" (including Chinese minorities such as Hui, Manchus, Zhuang, etc).[dubious – discuss]
- Huaren 華人 - an overall term to refer to any person of Chinese descent (including those in China and overseas). However, this term is more commonly used in referring to the overseas Chinese community and sometimes overseas Chinese minorities.
- Huaqiao 華僑 - refers to a Chinese national or citizen living overseas (outside China). A Huaqiao should still be holding a Chinese citizenship. This term was more commonly used amongst overseas Chinese community before 1949, at a time when China provided citizenship for many overseas Chinese.
- Huayi 華裔 - refers to an overseas Chinese who does not hold a citizenship from People's Republic of China or the Republic of China. Effectively, a Huayi is a "foreign" citizen of Chinese origin/descent and should be born overseas (outside China).
- LaoHuaqiao 老華僑 - Mainly used by overseas Cantonese Chinese. Term indicating Chinese who have lived outside of China for a long period usually 10 or more years.
- TuZhu 土主 - Literally means from the soil a Chinese born in foreign country, used mainly by Cantonese in West Coast USA.
- ZhuXing 祝星 - Means a chinese born in foreign country, used mainly by Cantonese and Taishanese in the East Coast of the United States.
- ZhuKa 祝咔 - Means a chinese born in the mainland but moved overseas, used mainly by Cantonese and Taishanese in the East Coast of the United States. They are mostly 1.5 generation chinese who immigrated with their parents at an early age.
