This research note addresses the question stated in its title, what do we talk about when we talk about Chinese research? The article provides arguments for an understanding of Chinese research as a cultural unit, regardless of regional, political and historical differences that can be found in different territories. This does not mean the regional, political and historical differences are not relevant to researchers, on the contrary, they must be taking into account by researchers. Cultural similarities are needed to connect the different types of Chinese cultures, but not at the expense of omitting regional differences.