Han Chinese

Han Chinese ({{zh-stp|s=汉族 |t=漢族 |p=hànzú}}) is a term which refers to the majority ethnic group within China and the largest single human ethnic group in the world. The Han Chinese constitute about 91 percent of the population of mainland China and about 19 percent of the global human population. The name was occasionally translated as the "Chinese proper" in older texts (pre-1980s) and is commonly rendered in Western media as the "ethnic Chinese."

Internal diversity

Among Han Chinese, there is a wide diversity of distinct cultural and linguistic groups. The differences among regional and linguistic subgroups of Han Chinese are at least as great as those among many European nationalities. Han Chinese speak many varieties of Chinese spoken language which are generally labelled as different Chinese dialects although the difference among them can be as great as seen in many European languages. Cultural differences (cuisine, costume, and custom) are equally great. Modern Chinese history provides many examples of conflict, up to the level of small-scale regional wars, between linguistic and regional groups. Thus, the idea of a unified Han Chinese is quite complicated.

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Such diversities, however, have not generated exclusive ethnic identities, and distinctions in religion or political affiliation have not reinforced regional differences. Rather, there has been a consistent tendency in Chinese thought and practice to downplay intra-Han distinctions, which are regarded as minor and superficial.

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Due to its internal diversity, any study of the Han is thus of great interest to researchers in many fields, particularly anthropology and human biology. Recent genetic studies have shown genetic differences, especially between Han Chinese in the southernmost coastal areas (Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Hainan, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan) and Han Chinese in the rest of China. The dividing line is much further south than either the Huai River or the Yangtze River, both of which are used as conventionally as regional borders.

Related Topics:
Anthropology - Human biology - Guangdong - Guangxi - Fujian - Hainan - Hong Kong - Macau - Taiwan - Huai River - Yangtze River

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According to the recent scientific reports emanating from Beijing, northern Han Chinese are genetically different from Han inhabitants of southern China, including Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau and Hainan. In fact, it has been stated that southern Han Chinese are more genetically similar to ethnic-genetic groups such as the Gin/Vietnamese while northern Han Chinese are closer to groups like Mongols than the two Han groups are with each other. A number of differences between these groups in terms of dialect and customs have also been noted. However, there is cultural affinity between these two groups.-->

Related Topics:
Beijing - Northern Han - Guangdong - Guangxi - Fujian - Taiwan - Hong Kong - Macau - Hainan - Gin - Vietnamese - Mongol

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Historical evidence indicates that the Han were descended from the ancient Huaxia tribes of northern China. During the past two millennia, the Han culture (that is, the language and its associated culture) extended into southern China, a region originally inhabited by the southern natives, including those speaking Dai, Austro-Asiatic and Hmong-Mien languages.

Related Topics:
Huaxia - Dai - Austro-Asiatic - Hmong-Mien

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