Hong Kong’s Legislative Council Secretariat, the administrative body supporting lawmakers, informed members last week that the English term “Chinese Mainland” (中國內地) must now replace past references to “Mainland China” under orders from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs — a clear effort to foreground PRC sovereignty. Pro-Beijing Executive Council member Ronny Tong Ka-wah (湯家驊) voiced support for the move, praising the Foreign Ministry for its “painstaking care” in clarifying proper terminology. He argued that “Mainland China” implies there are multiple Chinas.
Dalia Parete is a researcher for the China Media Project and coordinates data and mapping for Lingua Sinica, CMP’s online resource on Chinese-language media globally. She studies PRC efforts to influence media integrity across local contexts. Having worked at EUISS in Paris and at RUSI and IISS in London, she also specializes in Chinese foreign policy and Taiwan studies. She holds a master’s degree from SOAS (China and International Politics) and LSE (International Relations).
