Who Are the Han Chinese?
The Han Chinese are the world's largest ethnic group numbering approximately 1.4 billion (about 18% of global population), primarily in China (92% of China's population), Taiwan, Singapore, and substantial diaspora communities globally. The Han speak varieties of Chinese language (Sinitic family) including Mandarin, Cantonese, Wu, Min, and other regional languages/dialects. The Han originated in Yellow River valley, developing one of world's oldest continuous civilizations with 4,000+ years of recorded history. Han culture profoundly influenced East Asia through writing system, Confucian philosophy, Buddhism adaptation, art, literature, cuisine, and technological innovations. While often treated as monolithic, Han encompass enormous regional diversity in languages, customs, cuisines, and identities. The term "Han" references the Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE). Modern Han identity continues evolving through globalization, political changes, and diaspora experiences.