Someone from China perhaps - like a Scotsman (5)
I believe the answer is:
asian
'someone from china' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?
'like a scotsman' is the wordplay.
'like' becomes 'as'.
'a scotsman' becomes 'ian' (common Scottish name).
'as'+'ian'='ASIAN'
'perhaps' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for asian that I've seen before include "someone from abroad?" , "One of eastern origin" , "Continental native" , "eg Thai" , "Relating to one continent" .)