evidence: The official name of the modern state on mainland China is the "People's Republic of China" (Chinese: 中华人民共和国 pinyin: Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó). [...] The People's Republic of China is divided into 22 provinces, five autonomous regions, each with a designated minority group; four municipalities; and two special administrative regions (SARs) which enjoy a degree of political autonomy. These 31 provincial-level divisions can be collectively referred to as "mainland China", a term which usually excludes two SARs of Hong Kong and Macau. Geographically, all 31 provincial divisions can be grouped into six regions, including North China, Northeast China, East China, South Central China, Southwest China, and Northwest China.