The Hong Kong Legislative Council Secretariat recently cited a reminder from the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau to all legislators that, according to the latest directive from the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in the Hong Kong SAR, the official English translation for '中国内地' is 'Chinese Mainland', rather than 'Mainland China'. Hong Kong government departments have also received the same instruction in recent days.
According to comprehensive reports from Hong Kong media including Sing Tao Daily and Hong Kong Economic Times, the Legislative Council Secretariat reminded legislators and their offices to ensure that articles released in the future consistently use the above official translation, though previously published materials need not be amended. The use of 'Mainland', or the Chinese versions ‘中国大陆’ or ‘中国内地’, can continue.
Member of the Hong Kong Executive Council, Ronny Tong Ka-wah, wrote on Facebook on the 6th, asking, 'What are the differences between 中国大陆 (Chinese Mainland), 大陆中国 (Mainland China), as well as 内地 (Mainland) and 国内 (Country)?' Many people feel there's no need to be overly particular.
Tong explained that in 2000, when he first visited Beijing as Chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association, then Vice Premier Qian Qichen asked him, if you call China '国内' (the country), 'does that mean you consider Hong Kong to be abroad?' Tong said he was left speechless at the time.
Tong added, 'Mainland China' (大陆中国) implies a distinction between Mainland China and other Chinas. Now, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is once again reminding everyone to be careful with wording, as this is a matter of great importance.