It is believed that China is a unique, unique state in the world, which has been preserving the continuity of its history and statehood for more than a millennium, based on the successive change of ruling dynasties. It is widely believed that more than 200 years ago, the understanding of China and the Chinese as a multinational community was very similar to what we now associate with the national identity of twentieth-century China and its citizens (for example, [Zhao, 2006, p.14]). This view, however, is based on the ancient sinocentric model and does not stand up to comparative historical analysis [Dmitriev and Kuzmin, 2012]. Of particular interest in this context is the Qing Era — the last period when China was under the rule of the emperors. Can the Qing Empire be considered China? This article is devoted to this issue. Keywords: Qing, China, Mongolia, Tibet, statehood, independence, Sinocentrism, Tibetan Buddhism, Xinhai Revolution. Each state must have a unique set of characteristics. These signs may change over time, but there must be something in common - something that allows us to recognize the continuity of the existence of this state. It is these characteristics, and not declarations (even if they are recognized), that define this State and distinguish it from others. Let's try to compare the distinctive features of the Qing Empire with those of other empires that had similar principles of legitimation of power, as well as with China (after all, it was formed long before the Qing Empire). China. In the previous article [Dmitriev and Kuzmin, 2012], we analyzed the history of the formation and scope of the concept of "China" - the Middle State (Chinese Zhongguo), as well as the problem of "Chinese dynasties". There are several significant features of China that remain specific to it throughout its history, regardless of all the changes and official declarations: 1) General socio-cultural concepts based on a common historical and mythological past, a common ... Read more