Chanha

Chanha
Chanha; 燦夏 ; Cànha
Flag	National Seal
	Motto: ; "十人十色" ; "Sahp yàhn sahp sīk." ; "To each their own."
	Anthem: ; "向西" ; "Hêngsai." ; "Heading Westward."
	Map of Shenxia (dark green) in Escar (light green and grey)
Capital	Saiging
Largest city	Fugong
Official languages	Chan
Recognised regional languages	Son, Min, Shen
Demonym	Chan, Chanhanese
Government	Unitary parliamentary constitutional republic
Legislature	Gwokwúi
Formation
Population
GDP (PPP)	2016 estimate
GDP (nominal)	2016 estimate
Gini (2016)	8.5; low
HDI (2016)	0.924; very high
Currency	Yùhn (元)
Date format	dd-mm-yyyy AD
Drives on the	left

Chanha (Chan: 燦夏, Cànha), formally known as the State of Chanha (Chan: 燦夏國, Cànha gwok) is a parliamentary republic located in Western Escar. It is located south of Chisei, north-west of Liang, and east of Shojin. Chanha is home to 102.4 million people as of the 2016 census, making it the Xth largest country by population in Escar and the xth largest in the world.

Human inhabitation of Chanha dates as far back as 125,000 BCE, with the region of the Linho River Valley being considered an early cradle of civilization. The start of Chanha's long line of dynastic rulership begins around 2000 BCE with the rise of the Hua dynasty, as attested in the Open-Stream Annals of the Shan dynasty. Chan culture (or Càn) specifically traces its origins to the Early Chan Dynasty (650 AD), which saw major political and legal reformation under the Daipeng Code as well as the emergence of various cultural and social change that would become defining marks of Chan culture. Since the Chan, various dynasties rose and fell as the dynastic state fractured and re-unified over the course of the subsequent centuries.

Dynastic rule in Chanha came to an end with the Mousen Revolution in 1848, which saw the overthrow of the Imperial system by the scholar-gentry following a vacancy of the Imperial throne. The Seidou Diploma established a democratic state which replaced the Chanhanese Empire. The Chanhanese coastal islands of Huangwan and Wodao would be occupied by Yamatai in the First Chan-Yamataian War, seeing the gradual recession of Chan influence in Escar and abroad. During the Second Escar-Varunan War Chanha entered the war on the side of the Escaric allies, regaining possession of territory lost in the 19th century Imperial conflicts.

Etymology

The term 'Chanha' consists of the characters 燦 (Càn) and 夏 (Ha). The former character stemming from the ancient Chan dynasty (650 AD - 895 AD), which would give its name to the 'Chan' people - the cultural hegemon in the Anyu River valley for centuries. The literal meaning of 燦 equates to 'resplendent' or 'brilliance.' The latter character traditionally was utilized as a modifier to signify the geographic extents of a dynasty's political control. However, 夏 has come to be understood more simply as 'expanse.' Together meaning 'the expanse of the Chan', or country of the Chan people.

The first usage of Chanha dates back to the 7th century AD, recorded in the Recordings of the Golden Court (658 AD). The annals include a compilation of communications between the Emperor Zheng of Chan and King Ming of Wo, wherein the Court of the Kingdom of Wo referred to the realm of the Chan as 'Chanha.'

History

Prehistory

Early and Classical Dynsatic Era

Imperial Chanha

Ejenate Invasion & Western Dynasty Era

New Imperial Era

Main article: Tong Dynasty

The collapse of the Ejenate with the death of Ahūnag in 1347 and the disjointed and warring Western kingdoms of Ceon, Joeng, and Wan left a power vacuum in central and western Escar. Since the rise of the Ejenate no Chan kingdom had been able to establish a foothold as the next continuation of dynastic power. Instead, this vacuum would be filled by a vassal clan of Ahūnag known as the Tong Hala (唐氏, Tongsi lit. Tong Clan) led by King Wuhng Lih Tongsi (later becoming Emperor Yihnhei). Wunhg Lih led the Western Campaign from 1376-1380; eventually conquering the kingdoms of Ceon, Jeong, and Wan. Wunhg Lih was the first of the Tong to adopt the title of Wòhngdai, or Emperor, in 1381. Emperor Yihnhei's reign was relatively short as the first of the Tong Emperors, being succeeded by his son in 1389. Under Emperor Sīngpèhng vast legal reform took place, seeing the Tong adopting various standards of Chan governance - particularly the adoption of Neo-Yihdou as a court philosophy.

Emperor Sīngpèhng would successfully quell the peasant rebellions of 1395 and 1399, establishing the ability of the Tong court to handle internal strife. Several Chan noble clans would take up arms against the Tong in 1399 as well, however they too were put down by the Tong. Outside of military affairs, Sīngpèhng was a generous patron of the arts and acutely interested in the study of Fojiao. This patronage was continued under the succeeding sovereign Emperor Yìhnchō (1442-1478) who's court saw the emergence of the Flowering Schools Era, a philosophical and literary renaissance. Emperor Yìhnchō adopted Wàhyihm Fojiao as the religion of the court, creating a syncretic council of clergymembers ranging from various traditions of Fojiao and Tindou.

The Tong warred with the Kyofu dynasty throughout the 14th and 15th centuries, often utilizing buffer tributary states on the northern border to enlist additional troops. The Tong established numerous prestigious military and naval academies in Wòhsan, Fugong, and Sèhchèuhng. The late 14th century and 15th century also saw the development and standardization of what would be the modern Chan language. Formulated as a koine of dialects of Huaic languages in the south-east around the region of Fugong, Chan or Gūnwá (官話, lit. language of officials) became the standard language of official recordkeeping and governance. The Imperial Guide and Dictionary to the Language of Officials was published officially in 1468, with numerous supplements published in 1491 and 1502.

During the mid 16th century the Tong entered a period of relative peace on continental Escar, seeing a renewed interest in investment and structuring of the Imperial Navy. Imperial commission funded various naval exploration missions throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, wherein Tong fleets attempted to chart alternative trade routes and establish trading outposts across the Crosswind Sea.

End of the Imperial System

Main article: Mousen Revolution

The mid 19th century saw the gradual decline of Chanha from a regional power and leader in science, technology, and commerce to a lesser power. The majority of the Chanhanese Empire's overseas possessions were lost to Yamatai and other colonial powers. Attempts by the Imperial Diet's civic leaders to implement reformation targeting land tenure and infrastructure was often blocked by the local aristocracy. Since the 17th century, the de-facto power of the central Imperial court had been in decline - with local aristocratic clans and the scholar-gentry often contesting one another for power. The rising merchant class and the guild system also became a distinct political faction in the late 17th and 18th centuries. The Taifei Revolution and the later wave of Escaric Revolutions would influence the Mousen Revolution, supporting the growing wave of Neo-Yihdou thought and anti-aristocratic sentiment in both the military and the scholar-gentry.

The sudden and unexpected death of Emperor Taichō in early 1846 would be the catalyst for the Escaric Revolutions to spread to Chanha properly. The vacancy of the throne and the lack of a commonly agreed-upon heir lead to a rapid outbreak of violence and civil unrest. The various factions of the Imperial government mobilized quickly in an attempt to assert their legitimacy as quickly as possible. Reformist elements in the military and the scholar-gentry unified under the Five Jewels Movement, seizing control of the Seidou dockyards and the Plum Blossom Court before members of the Imperialist loyalists and aristocratic forces could be mobilized. While the aristocratic forces and Imperialist forces were disjointed in their disagreements over the proper line of succession, the Five Jewels Movement united many factions under the common goal of the abolition of the aristocracy in full.

Imperial Supervivor emeritus Siu Kayin was quick to use his position and relatively popularity in the court to enhance the legitimacy of the Five Jewels Movement. Siu labeled the various claimants in the aristocracy as "opportunistic pretenders" and further proclaimed that "if a proper heir existed, the Court and I would have ensured his ascension post-haste." Clashes between loyalists elements of the military and loyalist extremists became quite common in the country-side, and continued past the formal end of the revolution in 1848. Numerous imposters appeared during the political chaos of the era, claiming to be Emperor Taichō's child.

By 1848 the new state had been recognized by most Imperial agencies of government, as well as the international community. The aristocracy was disassembled over the next decade, with various uprisings in the interior of the country until the late 1850s. The civil bureaucracy was elevated as the main source of executive power in the nation.

Reformation Era

Reform of the land tenure laws and the eradication of the nobility were the first two objectives of the newly established revolutionary government in Chanha. The administration of Siu Kayin assumed a hard-line anti-aristocratic policy, despite Siu Kayin himself being more in favor of a less radical approach.

Pre-war era

Post-war era

Government and Politics

Main article: Government of Chanha

See also: Chancellor of Chanha, Gwokwúi

Chancellor
Leung Chui Yin

Chief Minister
Yu Man Kit

Chanha is a unitary parliamentary republic as outlined in the Seidou Diploma, the nation's constitution and political charter. Four branches make up the structure of the Chanxianese government, those being: the Executive branch, Legislative branch, Judicial branch, and the Supervisery. The head-of-state of Chanha is the Chancellor, currently Leung Chui Yin, who is endowed with the constitutional duty of representing the people of Chanha, upholding the rule of the constitution, and maintaining harmonious cooperation of the branches of government. The head-of-government is the Chief Minister, who is appointed through election by the Gwokwúi, the nation's legislature.

The Chancellor is elected through a combination of the Gwokwúi and local electoral districts, making the Chancellor the one office of the executive branch which is indirectly elected by the civil electorate. The Chancellor serves a term of 5 years with no established term limits, though there is a de-facto precedent of three. The Chief Minister is often the party leader of the largest political party in the Gwokwúi, and also serves a term of 5 years.

The Gwokwúi is the nation's 341 seat, unicameral legislative body. Each seat is elected based upon a regional electoral district for a term of 4 years with no set term limit. Seats are filled during the nation's general elections utilizing ranked choice voting. In order to run for election for a seat in the Gwokwúi a candidate must pass the Central Civil Service Examination I, thereby allowing them to run as a sponsored candidate in their districts election. The legislature consists of numerous political parties, some regional and single-issue. The largest and leading party of the government coalition is the National Progress Party, which has maintained significant influence in the nation's politics since the 1970s. The opposition to the governing coalition is left by the Social Democrat Party

Beyond the executive and legislative branches is the Supervisery branch of government. The Supervisery is chiefly responsible for organization of the civil bureaucracy and the administration of the civil service examinations. Other than handling internal affairs, the Supervisery has no other political powers. In order to prevent bias examinations are kept anonymous, however various news agencies and whistleblowers have raised concerns of corruption and nepotism within the Supervisery.

All citizens over the age of 18 are granted the right to take the Voter Qualification Examination, a civil service exam which grants a citizen the right to vote in the general election. The process of studying and taking the examination are subsidized by the state, while examination preparation is taught in all public secondary schools.

Foreign Relations

Main Article: Foreign relations of Chanha

Chanha is a member-state of the Ordic League, Wanshu Development Summit, and the Heian Cooperation Organization. Chanha maintains diplomatic relations with 30+ nations, with embassies in 34 nations and hosting 34 embassies and consulates in the capital of Seidou. Chanha has strong ties with other HECO states, chiefly its northern neighbor Chisei and Yamatai. The latter in particular has become a close ally since the 1970s, aided by not only common interests but also the large Chanhanese immigrant community in Yamatai. Following the Sihndou Crisis in 1979 relations between Liang and Chanha have been tense.

Since the mid 80s, Chanhanese foreign policy has largely fallen in line with decisions made collectively by HECO.

Administrative Divisions

Military

Geography

Demographics

Language

Religion

Education

Culture

Main article: Chan culture

See also: Yihdou, Tindou, Architecture of Chanha

Interior of Wòh Seuhngsīng Temple in Wòhsan.

Chanhanese culture has been incredibly influential in Western Escar since the first ancient dynasties of the Hua. Chan literature and philosophy has been exported as portable systems to which neighboring cultures in Escar adapted their societies to. The syncretic nature of belief systems in Chanha allowed for the free exchange and fusion of ideas for centuries, though Yihdou and Tindou have had an unmistakable impact on the development of Chanhanese culture. Yihdou emphasis on civic education, literacy, and meritocracy would be influential in forming Chanhanese cultural values, which are still relevant in the modern day.

Architecture

Literature

Chanha has a long and influential literary tradition, ranging from political treatises and philosophical manifestos to nuanced and highly structured poetic traditions. Knowledge of literature, especially the civic classics and poetry, has long been valued as a mark of high education since the ancient dynastic era. The Annals of the Jade Court is one of the most well known pieces of Chan mythological literature, a trademark of early dynastic literature mixing historical fact with legendary events and figures.

Sport

Football is one of the most viewed spectator sports in Chanha, with multiple regional clubs having successful international and national records in competition. Chanhanese clubs have been consistent participants in the Jade Cup, often achieving a position in the top 5. The National Football Association of Chanha is the preeminent organization for professionalized football in the nation, and hosts the Chanha Cup as a national cup. Haowu FC and Fugong FC are often the victors of this national event.

Chanha has also produced internationally acclaimed athletes in Swimming and aquatic sports such as sailing and rowing. These athletes are often showcased in international games, where they've achieved great success. Aquatic sports receive a significant amount of attention from the Bureau of Culture & Sports, despite it being relatively underrated in terms of viewership nationally. The Chanha Cup (sailing) is an internationally renowned sailing race that takes place every 3 years, with the recent winner being Chisei.

Domestically, sports such as ping-pong, Weiqi, Kendo (known as Gimdo in Chanha), Taichi, and Wushu. Horseback riding is also quite popular in the interior of Chanha. Gimdo is a particularly popular sport among the general population, with most high-schools having Gimbo programs in addition to traditional Chan archery, Daoshu, Wushu, swimming, and basketball. Internal martial arts such as Taichi are also very popular outside of a competitive setting, and are employed as part of certain morning fitness routines in both schools and businesses.

As of recent, e-sports has garnered significant attention in Chanha. The first major competitive video game tournaments in Chanha took place in the late 1990s, with the 1998 DreamStar annual video game convention in Seidou. The 2010s saw a wave of e-sports popularity and interest reach mainstream media, with games such as Special Agency Gobukseon, Aether Champions, and StarCommander II receiving national attention for their respective competitive scenes. The Fugong Spark were the first e-sports organization to receive a grant from the Bureau of Culture & Sports, jumpstarting a series of private and public investments in various e-sports clubs and teams. Internet cafes are common hubs of e-sports competition and culture.

Cuisine

Music