River, of China perhaps

I believe the answer is:

plate

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'river' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both natural objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for plate that I've seen before include "serve" , "Put film on" , "South American river" , "trophy" , "Shallow vessel" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.

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