Liangguang

Liangguang (simplified Chinese: 两广; traditional Chinese: 兩廣; pinyin: Liǎngguǎng; Cantonese Yale: loeng gwong; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: lióng-kńg; literally "pair of Guangs", also spelled Liang-guang) is a term referring to the province of Guangdong and autonomous region (formerly province) of Guangxi on the southern coast of China. Before 1988, Guangdong province also included what is now the province of Hainan.

History

The names of the two entities form a pair, as they literally mean "Guang-East" and "Guang-West". "Guang" itself means "expanse" or "vast", and has been associated with the region since the creation of Guang Prefecture (Guangzhou) in AD 226. During the Qing Dynasty, the office of the Governor-General of Liangguang existed from 1735 to 1911 to oversee both provinces.

Hainan separation

In 1988, the island of Hainan was separated from Guangdong province and established as a separate province.

References