Here's why:
* Chinese characters are a logographic writing system. This means each character represents a word or morpheme, not a sound. This is unlike alphabets, which represent sounds.
* Many languages use Chinese characters. While Mandarin Chinese is the most widely spoken language using Chinese characters, other languages like Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese also use them. These languages have their own pronunciations and grammatical structures, making them distinct from Chinese.
* The script is not inherently tied to a single ethnicity. While Chinese characters are historically linked to the Han Chinese, their use extends beyond a single ethnic group.
Instead of "ethnic script," it's more accurate to say:
* Chinese characters are a writing system used by various languages and cultures.
* The writing system has a long history and is an important part of Chinese culture and identity.
It's important to be sensitive to the complex relationship between language, culture, and identity when discussing writing systems.