Ah hell, I just have to ask. Which census question are we discussing: ethnicity or race? Or perhaps nationality? PRC, Singaporean, HongKonger, Malaysian, Taiwanese...
Google:
Race focuses on outward physical traits, while ethnicity focuses on shared cultural heritage and traditions.
Key Differences
Race:
Based on physical characteristics like skin color, facial features, or hair texture. Society or outside groups often assign race based on appearance.
Ethnicity:
Based on shared culture, language, religion, ancestry, and traditions. People usually self-identify with an ethnic group.
While race is based on physical traits and ethnicity is based on cultural heritage, nationality is strictly a matter of law, passports, and political allegiance.
I have 3 close neighbors. One might say they are Chinese because of their race. They say they are Taiwanese... I've worked with some Taiwanese soldiers, and I would NOT call those bad boys Chinese...
And for HongKoners, to determine THEIR nationality, I just ask if they carry an umbrella.