Separatist movements of China Facts for Kids

The People's Republic of China (often called Mainland China) and the Republic of China (which mostly governs Taiwan) both believe they are the only true government of China. In reality, the People's Republic of China controls Mainland China along with Hong Kong and Macau. The Republic of China, on the other hand, governs the Taiwan area.

Sometimes, groups within these areas want to become independent or have more control over their own regions. This article talks about some of these movements.

Regions Wanting More Independence

Many different regions in China have groups that want more independence or even their own country. These groups often feel they have a unique culture, history, or language.

Cities with Special Movements

Shanghai's Unique Identity

A proposed flag for an independent Shanghai.

The city of Shanghai is a huge, modern city. Some people there, called Shanghainese people, feel they have a distinct identity.

A group called the Shanghai National Party, formed in New York, supports the idea of Shanghai becoming its own state.

Provinces with Independence Ideas

Basuria (Sichuan)

The flag of the Basuria independence movement.

The region of Sichuan is sometimes called Basuria by those who want it to be independent.

The people here are known as Sichuanese people or Bashu people.
They dream of a country called the Republic of Basuria.
Groups like the Basurian Revival Movement and the Basurian National Movement work towards this goal.
An organization called Free Basuria also supports this idea.

Guangdong's Cantonese Culture

The province of Guangdong is home to the Cantonese people.

They speak a different language, Cantonese, and have a unique culture.
Some groups want to create a "Cantonese Republic."
This idea is part of a larger movement called the Guangdong independence movement.

Hunan's Fuhsiangria Dream

In Hunan province, the Hunanese people have their own identity.

Some of them imagine a state called "Fuhsiangria," which would be an independent Hunan.
This is part of the Hunan independence movement.

Yunnan's Diantnam Vision

The Yunnanese people live in Yunnan province.

Some want their region to be called "Diantnam" or simply an independent Yunnan.
This is supported by the Yunnanese Independence Movement.

Guangxi's Independence Movement

A map showing Guangxi province.

The Guangxi Autonomous Region has its own movement for independence.

The main ethnic group here is the Zhuang.
They hope for an independent state called Guangxi.

Hebei and Yuyencia

In Hebei province, some people are called Yuyencians.

They propose a state called "Yuyencia."
This proposed area would include Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, and parts of Liaoning.
The Yuyencian Independence Movement and organizations like Yuyencia support this.

Manchuria's Past and Future

Manchuria is a large historical region in Northeast Asia.

The main ethnic group here is the Manchurian people.
Some groups want to bring back the "Empire of Manchukuo," which was a state in this region in the past.
The Northeast Administrative Committee is a local political party that supports this idea.

Inner Mongolia's Mongolian Roots

Inner Mongolia is home to many Mongolian people.

They share a culture and history with the country of Mongolia.
Some groups want to form a "Republic of South Mongol."
Political parties like the Inner Mongolian People's Party and the Southern Mongolian Democratic Alliance work towards this goal.

Tibet's Fight for Freedom

The Tibet Autonomous Region is a region with a unique culture and religion.

The Tibetan people have a strong desire for independence.
They hope for a free Tibet.
There is a "government-in-exile" led by Lobsang Sangay, which means a government that operates outside of Tibet.
Groups like the International Tibet Independence Movement and Students for a Free Tibet advocate for Tibetan independence.

Xinjiang and East Turkestan

The Xinjiang Autonomous Region is home to the Uyghur people.

Many Uyghurs want to create their own independent state called "East Turkestān."
Groups like the Uyghurstan Independence Movement and the World Uyghur Congress work for this cause.

Special Administrative Regions

These are regions that have a high degree of self-governance but are still part of China.

Hong Kong's Independence Movement

Hong Kong is a special region with its own laws and system.

Some people in Hong Kong want it to become a fully independent "Republic of Hong Kong."
The Hong Kong Independence Party is an advocacy group that supports this idea.

Taiwan Area

Taiwan is an island that has its own government, but its political status is complicated.

Many people in Taiwan want it to be recognized as the "Republic of Taiwan," a completely separate country.
Political parties like the Democratic Progressive Party support this idea.

From the perspective of the Republic of China's laws, the Taiwan Independence movement is seen as trying to break away. However, in practice, the movement aims to replace the current Republic of China government with a new "Republic of Taiwan" because Taiwan is the only area the Republic of China actually controls.

From the perspective of the People's Republic of China's laws, the Taiwan Independence movement is also seen as trying to break away. This is because the People's Republic of China considers Taiwan to be a part of its own territory, even though it doesn't control it.

Autonomous administrative divisions of China
Cantonese nationalism

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Warlord Era of China, 1925

Separatist movements of China facts for kids

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