sheng

Chinese government unit

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July 13, 2026

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The term "sheng" in Chinese government refers to a province, a major administrative division. This concept traces its roots back to the Tang dynasty (618–907 CE). Provinces have evolved over centuries to become significant centers of political and economic authority, fostering regional identity and loyalty.1

While the term "sheng" is primarily associated with provincial government, it's important to note that "sheng" can also refer to a Chinese unit of liquid capacity, equivalent to approximately 1.035 to 1.057 quarts. This dual meaning highlights the diverse nature of historical Chinese terminology.2

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China
…country is the province, or sheng (“secretariat”). The provinces are traceable in their current form to the Tang dynasty (618–907 ce). Over the centuries, provinces gained in importance as centers of political and economic authority and increasingly became the focus of regional identification and loyalty. Provincial power reached its peak…
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…country is the province, or sheng (“secretariat”). The provinces are traceable in their current form to the Tang dynasty (618–907 ce). Over the centuries, provinces gained in importance as centers of political and economic authority and increasingly became the focus of regional identification and loyalty. Provincial power reached its peak…
Read More

China
Local government
…at the modern provincial (sheng) level, after beginnings in Yuan times, was now regularized as an intermediary between the prefectures and the central government. There were 13 Ming provinces, each as extensive and populous as modern European states: Shandong, Henan, Shanxi, Shaanxi (incorporating present-day Gansu), Sichuan, Huguang (comprising present-day…
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…at the modern provincial (sheng) level, after beginnings in Yuan times, was now regularized as an intermediary between the prefectures and the central government. There were 13 Ming provinces, each as extensive and populous as modern European states: Shandong, Henan, Shanxi, Shaanxi (incorporating present-day Gansu), Sichuan, Huguang (comprising present-day…
Read More