How to use in / on with Mainland China

Hi,

The normal preposition with the name of a country is 'in'.

It sounds odd to say 'on'.



Clive

Hi Clive,

Thank you for your reply.

Do you mean we use in with "Mainland China", and on with "Mainland"?

I saw many times on the news the anchor was reporting:

1. Authorities on Mainland have warned of approaching typhoon.

2. Investors' sentiment on Mainland ran high this afternoon.

Are the on justified

Do you have examples showing "Mainland" or "Mainland China" capitalized?

I think that in the US, the expression became important because of our relationship with Hong Kong.

"On the mainland" is idiomatic, especially when you're on the island.

In a discussion in which the continental portion is contrasted with an island, I think it's natural to say either "in" or "on."

My two cents.

When talking from the perspective of an offshore island, "on the mainland" is standard. "in the mainland" is not correct.

When talking about the mainland of China from the perspective of an offshore island, or when distinguishing the People's Republic of China from Taiwan, both "on mainland China" and "in mainland China" are possible.

Note: I edited

Well said, MrWordy.

Hmm. I wrote this before your note appeared. I'm not sure which version I read.

Hi guys,

There has been another earthquake in mainland China. Sounds fine.

There has been another earthquake on mainland China. Sounds totally wrong.

Best wishes, Clive

CliveThere has been another earthquake on mainland China. Sounds totally wrong.

If said from the perspective of someone on an offshore island, this doesn't sound wrong to me at all. I guess we just have different patterns of usage here.

Hi,

It's a wonderful language, isn't it?

In a context like that, I'd expect someone on an island nearby to say

tinanam0102 1. Authorities on Mainland have warned of approaching typhoon.

2. Investors' sentiment on Mainland ran high this afternoon. Hi.
I'm wondering how you guys feel about these "news anchor" usages. Since this is audio/video, we can disregard the capital letter, but I can't believe English is their native language.

Avangi

tinanam0102 1. Authorities on Mainland have warned of approaching typhoon.

2. Investors' sentiment on Mainland ran high this afternoon. Hi.

I'm wondering how you guys feel about these "news anchor" usages. Since this is audio/video, we can disregard the capital letter, but I can't believe English is their native langu