People, many of Juchen ancestry, who acquired a Manchu identity in the 17th century before conquering China and forming the Qing dynasty (1644-1911/12). Though official policy aimed to maintain the Manchus as a distinct people, this did not prevent considerable intermarriage and adoption of Chinese customs in areas of maximum contact with Chinese. China today recognizes the Manchu as a distinct ethnic group with over 10 million members living mainly in northeastern China
the Tungusic language spoken by the Manchu people a member of the Manchu speaking people of Mongolian race of Manchuria; related to the Tungus; conquered China in the 17th century