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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 GQnJZhQly0DOihHY9M56IA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001264375-04-000001.txt : 20040105
<SEC-HEADER>0001264375-04-000001.hdr.sgml : 20040105
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040105144940
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001264375-04-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031230
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040105

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CHINA FUND INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000845379
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	UNKNOWN SIC - 0000 [0000]
		IRS NUMBER:				000000000
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1031

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		225 FRANKLIN ST
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02110

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		225 FRANKLIN ST
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02110

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LIGHTBROWN JAMES J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001273595

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-06651
		FILM NUMBER:		04504041

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		HUGHES HUBBARD & REED
		STREET 2:		47 AVENUE GEORGES MANDEL
		CITY:			PARIS FRANCE
		STATE:			I0
		ZIP:			75116
		BUSINESS PHONE:		01133144058000
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-12-30</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000845379</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CHINA FUND INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CHN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001273595</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LIGHTBROWN JAMES J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>HUGHES HUBBARD &amp; REED</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>47 AVENUE GEORGES MANDEL</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PARIS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>I0</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>75116</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>FRANCE</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-12-30</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>41.3</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

    </nonDerivativeTable>



    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>James J. Lightburn</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-01-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
