4 new elements = 4 new Chinese characters? I also know that 4 new elements = 4 new English words.
Actually these new elements have no relationship with China:
113: Nihonium (Nh) is from Nihon, another name of Japan.
115: Moscovium (Mc) comes from the city name Moscow.
117: Tennessine(Ts) comes from Tennessee.
118: Oganesson (Og) comes from Russian physicist Yuri Oganessian
(1933-).
So how is a new element are named in Chinese? Here's Official standards from 全国科学技术名词审定委员会:
化学元素的符号是国际通用的,化学元素的命名由于语种的不同,会有较大的差异。化学元素名称的汉译,自晚清开始译入到21世纪的今天,历经了百年,形成了化学元素自有的中文定名原则:
(1)根据尽量少造新字的原则,在元素定名需要造字时,尽量选用已有的古字。
(2)选用或新造汉字应符合国家汉字规范。
(3)符合以形声字为主体的汉字书写特点,以体现元素的性质,发音靠近国际命名。
(4)避免与以前的元素名称同音,避免用多音字。
(5)使用简化字,避免用怪异字,选用笔画少的字。
(6)为了避免歧义,选字应尽量避开生活常用字和已经用做其他行业专用字的汉字。
(7)尽量采用繁简无差别的字,以利于海峡两岸和汉语圈科技术语的统一。
If you want to know more about how CHINESE name of new elements are decided, check out 全国科学技术名词审定委员会 Official Site.
P.S. They are collecting new names of these 4 new elements. If you have good idea, also check out this website to submit your name suggestions.
石霓
, and not conflict with other usage, otherwise next closes character will be chosen.