Is "PRC" a common abbreviation? Does it mean "China", or does it mean something else? Why not write China?

I'm from KOS* (neighbor country of KON* and ROF*), so I don't know much.

* Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Norway, Republic of Finland.

▲ i_am_proteus 5 hours ago | parent | next [-]

PRC distinguishes from ROC ("Mainland China" vs "Taiwan") just as DPRK and ROK distinguish the two governments on the Korean peninsula.

See also: "Germany" 1949-1990

▲ paxys 4 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Yes it is common. It is normally used when talking specifically about politics and the ruling party rather than the region or its people.

▲ Terr_ 3 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Others answered the main reason, but sometimes I find myself using "PRC" to indicate a particular government (~1950-Present) which unlike "China" excludes past dynasties, and is less-likely to be interpreted as referring to the people or culture.

For example, the potential differences between:

    "France has always been X."
    "The French republic has always been X."
    "The French monarchy has always been X."

▲

bloppe 2 hours ago | parent [-]

Which republic lol we're on #5

	▲	Terr_ 2 hours ago \| parent \| next [-]
		I don't critique France['s governments] enough to know the right way of identifying them all, but I trust the underlying problem has been adequately demonstrated. :p
	▲	MengerSponge an hour ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		The French Republic has always existed in the nuclear age? The French Republic has always been founded by De Gaulle?

▲ CamperBob2 5 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

People's Republic of China. As distinguished from ROC (Republic of China), known to much of the ROW (Rest of the World) as Taiwan.

▲ almostgotcaught 5 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

[flagged]

▲

JohnKemeny 4 hours ago | parent [-]

> Yes PRC is a common abbreviation amongst literate, engaged, people.

So I'm either not literate, not engaged, or not people?

I'm surprised to learn it is as common as USA, UK, and EU.

	▲	Jedd 4 hours ago \| parent \| next [-]
		> So I'm either not literate, not engaged, or not people? Technically you're one or more of those things. Either would indicate one of two options. (Common usage proponents, keen to reduce nuance in communications, notwithstanding.)
	▲	pedroma 3 hours ago \| parent \| prev \| next [-]
		Seems about as important as knowing FRG = West Germany, and GDR/DDR = East Germany in the 20th century.
	▲	fpoling 4 hours ago \| parent \| prev \| next [-]
		On many products lately I have seen Made in PRC, not Made in China as it was typical 10 years ago.
	▲	4 hours ago \| parent \| prev \| next [-]
		[deleted]
	▲	almostgotcaught 4 hours ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		[flagged]