Qian (), called tsin (cin4) in Cantonese, tiá»Ân or ÃÂá»Âng in Vietnamese, or "Chinese ounce" or "mace" in English, is a traditional Chinese unit for weight measurement. It originated in China before being introduced to neighboring countries in East Asia. Nowaday, the mass of 1 qian equals 5 grams in mainland China, 3.75 grams in Taiwan,
3.7799 grams in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, and 3.78 grams in Vietnam.
Qian is mostly used in the traditional markets, and famous for measuring gold, silver and Chinese medicines.
In Japan, the equivalent mass unit to the qian is the momme.
On June 25, 1959, the State Council of the People's Republic of China issued the "Order on the Unified Measurement System", retaining the market measure system, with minor amendment.
where 1 qian equals 5 grams, and 10 qiags equals 1 liang. The traditional Chinese medicine measurement system remains unchanged.
In 1895, Taiwan was ceded to Japan from China. The Japanese implemented the metric system, but the Taiwanese still followed their own habits and continued to use the old weights and measures of the Qing Dynasty. 1 Taiwan qian is equal to 3.75 grams, or 1/10 Taiwan liang.
Currently, Hong Kong law stipulates that one qian is equal to 1/10 liang, which is 3.779936375 grams.
Similarly, Singapore law stipulates that one qian equals 3.7799 g. Malaysia has the same regulations as it is a former British colony as well.
These are used for trading precious metals such as gold and silver.
In Vietnam, the unit of qian is called "ÃÂá»Âng or tiá»Ân": 1 ÃÂá»Âng is equal to 3.78 grams or 10 phân by traditional value.
For more information on the Chinese mass measurement system, please see article Jin (mass).