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?