The character known as China in Hetalia - Axis Powers is officially named Wang Yao, a human name given to him by the series creator. As the physical personification of the People's Republic of China, he is recognized as one of the oldest, if not the single oldest, existing nation characters in the series, with an age often cited as being over four thousand years old. Due to this immense age, he is sometimes referred to as a mystical being or a "sage" who has witnessed thousands of years of history. Physically, he appears as a young man with fair skin, striking amber or brown eyes, and dark, often black or ash-brown, hair that is most frequently tied back in a ponytail. He stands at 169 centimeters tall, making him the shortest member of the Allied Forces. His typical attire consists of a deep green Chinese military uniform complemented by a red armband featuring a yellow star. He is also frequently depicted carrying a giant panda in a bamboo basket on his back, a reflection of his love for the animal and for cute things in general.

Wang Yao's personality is a complex blend of age-old wisdom and remarkably immature quirks. He typically presents himself as a cheerful, if slightly melancholic, figure who tries to act as the responsible older brother to the younger nations of East Asia. However, he is almost universally unsuccessful in this endeavor, as his "younger brothers" rarely treat him with the respect he feels he deserves. He is known for being extremely superstitious, placing great importance on luck and fortune, and follows many traditional customs. Despite his long history, he can be surprisingly naive, immature, and easily annoyed, prone to snapping when frustrated. One of his most distinctive verbal tics is ending his sentences with the suffix "-aru," a Japanese stereotype associated with Chinese accents. Perhaps his most defining trait is his absolute devotion to cuisine; he is a gourmand who prioritizes food above nearly all else, famously stating that he would eat anything with four legs except a table or chair. His palate is extremely refined, and he is known to complain if a dish's flavor profile is not harmonious. This love of food, along with his appreciation for traditional arts like calligraphy and painting, provides a soft contrast to his other role as a shrewd and sometimes opportunistic businessman.

The character's history and relationships are central to his motivations and role in the story. As a member of the Allied Forces, he participates in the major world meetings and events, often trying to mediate conflicts or simply offering snacks to his bickering allies, an offer usually refused. His most significant and painful relationship is with Kiku Honda, representing Japan. In the distant past, China took in a young and homeless Japan, raising him like a beloved younger brother. This familial bond was shattered when Japan grew older, betrayed him, and attacked China, leaving a large, emotional scar on his back as a permanent reminder of the conflict. This sense of betrayal frames much of his wariness regarding his neighbors. He maintains an equally complicated relationship with Im Yong Soo, representing South Korea, who constantly annoys China by claiming that he invented everything of value, including aspects of Chinese culture, and insists he is the older brother to both China and Japan. This dynamic leaves a perpetually frustrated China snapping at Korea's antics.

His role as a former caretaker extends to other territories, including Hong Kong, whom he raised until he was taken away by England. Upon Hong Kong's return, China was shocked by the change in his personality, though Hong Kong now calls him "teacher". The scar on his back is not his only physical oddity; he is also said to have a panda-shaped birthmark or tattoo above his buttocks. His relationships with other major powers are colored by history. With Arthur Kirkland, representing England, he still holds a grudge over the Opium Wars, and he sometimes ends his sentences with "-ahen" (meaning opium) when speaking to him as a pointed reference to that period. Despite their alliance, he is deeply suspicious and fearful of Ivan Braginsky, representing Russia, viewing his northern neighbor as a potential threat rather than a friend.

Across the series, Wang Yao shows subtle signs of development, gradually moving from a more passive, halfhearted approach to putting serious effort into his international dealings. He remains a lover of cute things, with a particular fondness for knockoff characters like his strange companion Shinatty-chan, an old man in a Hello Kitty-style costume. While he is a remarkably talented artist capable of painting on infinitesimally small surfaces, he is paradoxically terrible at drawing manga-style art, a skill in which Japan and South Korea excel. Despite his age and experience, he can be surprisingly gullible, easily taken in by flashy promotional schemes from the other nations. Ultimately, China embodies a country of vast contradictions: a wise but immature ancient, a doting older brother who commands no authority, and a cheerful soul weighed down by millennia of memory and loss.