Chinese Pokémon Cards: Simplified Chinese Sets Explained

There are official Chinese Pokémon cards: The Pokémon Company releases a Simplified Chinese Pokémon TCG for mainland China, with its own sets and products, and Traditional Chinese cards for Taiwan and Hong Kong. They are real cards, not fakes, although counterfeit cards are also made in China. Official Chinese cards are printed to the same standard size and quality as Japanese and English cards.

Simplified Chinese vs Traditional Chinese

Simplified Chinese cards are for mainland China. Their sets often have their own names and structure, and some products, such as slim booster boxes and gift sets, exist only in China.
Traditional Chinese cards are for Taiwan and Hong Kong and generally follow the Japanese set list.

Why collectors buy Chinese cards

Unique products and promos that are not released in other languages.
Lower prices per pack than Japanese or English in many cases.
A growing collector market for graded Chinese cards.

See our Chinese Pokémon products, including Simplified Chinese booster boxes and display sets.

Official Chinese cards vs fakes

Fake cards are often called "Chinese cards" simply because many are made there, which causes confusion. The difference:

Official cards have correct, consistent Chinese text, proper card backs and quality card stock.
Fakes often mix languages, have spelling errors (even in English), wrong fonts and thin, glossy stock.
Official products come in sealed retail packaging with official logos.

Our guide how to tell if a Pokémon card is fake covers the checks.

Are Chinese Pokémon cards real?

Official Simplified and Traditional Chinese cards are real Pokémon cards. Cheap cards with mixed English text and spelling mistakes are not.

Are Chinese Pokémon cards worth anything?

Official ones can be. Values are usually lower than Japanese or English for the same card, but rare Chinese-exclusive promos and graded chase cards sell for good prices.