Chinese people:

• The term Chinese people may refer to any of the following:

• People who reside in and hold 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: 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 all 56 ethnic groups live in China that are officially recognized by the government of the People's Republic of China, such as Han, Zhuang, Manchu, Tibetans, and other established ethnic groups who have lived within the borders of China since at least the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911). It may also include overseas Chinese.
• People of Han Chinese ancestry, who are often simply referred to as "Chinese" or "ethnic Chinese" in English.
• Apart from nationality (legal) reasons, place of residence (geographical factors), race (biological reasons), and ancestry (historical and genealogical factors) are involved in defining "Chineseness".

Population:

1,338,612,968 (July 2009 est.)
Country comparison to the world: 1

Median age:

• total: 34.1 years
• male: 33.5 years
• female: 34.7 years (2009 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

• total: 20.25 deaths/1,000 live births
• male: 18.87 deaths/1,000 live births
• female: 21.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)