The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word REPUBLIC
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
R
E
P
U
B
L
I
C
More clues leading to the result REPUBLIC
- Country inn, outside which is an historical object
- Trace accommodating auberge in France, perhaps?
- Old object when bar is introduced in country, perhaps
- Bar shut by priest in Catholic Venice once, say
- State case for refugee community
- Something left outside tavern in France, say?
- Country inn with memorial outside it
- Country remains divided by Unionist halving lead
- State theatre club I built
- Boozer in antiquity after 1 unstable state
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "China, say" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case china, say = republic.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does REPUBLIC mean?
REPUBLIC noun- A state where sovereignty rests with the people or their representatives, rather than with a monarch or emperor; a country with no monarchy.
- A state, which may or may not be a monarchy, in which the executive and legislative branches of government are separate.
- One of the subdivisions constituting Russia. See oblast.