Misconception: China
hates Japan

Reality: While he
does hold against a grudge against Japan for betraying him in WW2, he’s deeply
affected by it.

We all know the scene. Japan stabs China – literally and
figuratively – in the back. You’d think this would generate hatred on
China’s part…

…but this couldn’t be anymore true.

China raised Japan. He was there with him through everything.
He protected Japan from other nations, like Mongolia, only to receive nothing
for it.

In other words, China’s heart was broken. A telling scene in
which this is confirmed is when China drinks away his sorrows and breaks down
into tears as he recounts what Japan has become.

Unfortunately, we are not provided with much insight on how
Japan and China fare in modern times, as we don’t get many moments where they
exclusively interact with each other.

Misconception: China
is weak

Reality: He
possesses immense strength, but because of his age he lacks stamina.

Ex: This strip
illustrates America’s perception of China’s innate strength and/or capacity for
it.

Despite this, however, because he’s lived for so long, China’s
physical body has aged and weakened. This is an exception to the rule of a nation’s
political and economic situation affecting their physical strength.

The physiology is more applicable to how they lead their
daily lives.

Ex: He’s referred to as a grandpa in modern times, and tires easily.

Ex: In another modern
strip, he’s affected by his population’s growing obesity rate and subsequently
gains weight despite his efforts to circumvent this.

This can be taken as another demonstrative impact of his
physiology age given that older people also have trouble shedding weight.

It’s still important to note that he’s nonetheless referred
to as a powerhouse [for obvious political and economic reasons.]

Accurate Conception:
China is likely an Ancient.

He’s lived for approximately 4000 years. Given that Quintillus, a Roman emperor, was once
seen to be holding a baby China, I would say that this pretty much confirms his
status as an Ancient.

This is aside from the fact that Quintillus can time travel
– the timelines correspond without the need for him to do so. Point is, this is a more concrete example of how old China is.

Misconception: China’s
rude and stand-offish.

While he can be petty and complain like a disgruntled old
man in comparison to some of the younger nations, China is probably one of the most
wholesome characters in the series.

Ex: He acts as a
mentor to Taiwan, Macau, and Hong Kong. The latter two live with him. 

Ex: When Hong
Kong wants to leave China’s house, China begs for him to stay and promises to
stop cleaning Hong Kong’s room so often.

Bonus Facts:

He doesn’t like to lose.

He believes in fortune + luck and is able to see ‘monsters.’
Monster culture is just another way of Hima naming a nation’s ability to see magical
creatures.

Ex: He compiles an index of monsters. While it does contain
regular creatures, it also bears real monsters.

Not to mention that the other nations expressed fear towards
China in “Hetalia of the Dead” as they believe that he’s fully capable of summoning
dark spirits.

Amazing character, right?