Why does China call it a premier and not a prime minister? (people, cons)

[motownewave]

This is so unlike most other countries in the world. Does the name premier make the people admire him more than they would if his title were prime minister?

[lokeung)]

The official title is Premier of the State Council.
Prime Minister and Premier are the same Chinese characters 总理(pingyin Zŏnglĭ) in Written and Spoken Chinese, the english terms are different however.

For example, Prime Ministers of the UK , Japan and Singapore are also called 总理 in the Chinese language.

[Bettafish]

Originally Posted by lokeung)

The official title is Premier of the State Council.
Prime Minister and Premier are the same Chinese characters 总理(pingyin Zŏnglĭ) in Written and Spoken Chinese, the english terms are different however.

For example, Prime Ministers of the UK , Japan and Singapore are also called 总理 in the Chinese language.

Actually the Prime Ministers of UK and Japan are called 首相, but it is 总理 for Singapore.

I think it is because 首相 is a classic term inherited from imperial China.,

[lokeung)]

Zongli is used for the PM of Russia, Thailand, Germany, Canada and Australia too.

[wowu5]

Basically,

總理 = head of government, republic (other name like English like chancellor)
首相 = head of government, constitutional monarchy