China boasts a civilization with a history of over 5,000 years. It is a united,
multi-ethnic nation. Since ancient times many ethnic minorities which speak
different languages and believe in different religions and have various ways
of life and customs and habits have lived in the territory of China, together
with the Han people, forming a unitary, multi-ethnic state .
China has 56 ethnic groups, among whom the Han ethnic group makes up 91 percent
of the country’s total population. The other 55 groups, totaling 106.43 million,
account for 8.41 of the total. So they are called ethnic minorities in China.
In fact, compared with other ethnic minorities in the world, they are not
so small. For instance, the population of the Zhuang ethnic group is 15,489,630;
Hui 8,602,978; Uygur 7,214,431; Yi 6,572,173; Miao 7,398,035; Tibetan 4,593,330;
Mongolian 4,806,849; The ethnic minorities with populations of between one
and two million include the Bouyei, Korean, Man (Manchu), Dong, Yao, Bai,
Tujia and Hani. The populations of the other 40 ethnic minorities vary from
several 100,000 to that of the Hezhe, with only some 1,400 people.
The areas that China’s ethnic minorities reside in account for about 60 percent
of China’s total. In the course of a long period of economic and cultural
contacts, many ethnic minorities formed their own small residential areas
or came to live together with other ethnic minorities. For instance the Man
(Manchu) and Hui groups have their own residential areas but also reside with
other ethnic minorities.
All ethnic minorities in China have a long history. As early as in the Qin
Dynasty (221-207 BC) , China had already become a united multi-ethnic state.
All ethnic minorities made concerted efforts to create the brilliant ancient
culture of the Chinese nation.
Since the founding of the PeopleÕs Republic of China in 1949, the living
conditions of China’s ethnic minorities have improved markedly. The Chinese
government proclaimed clearly: “The people of all ethnic minorities are all
masters of the state. Each ethnic minority handles its own affairs independently.”
This indicates that China’s 56 ethnic minorities have set up a new relationship
of equality. All ethnic minorities, big or small, and all religions, have
become equal members and masters of the state.
The Chinese government carries out the policy of equality among all ethnic
minorities. Every ethnic minority has equal rights to handle state affairs.
Since the first meeting of the National People’s Congress (NPC), the ratio
of deputies from ethnic minorities to the NPC is higher than that of the population
of ethnic minorities to the total population. In the 10th NPC there were 415
ethnic-group deputies, accounting for 13.1 percent of the total Ñ 5.5
percent higher than the population percentage of ethnic minorities. All ethnic
minorities with a population of over one million have a member on the standing
committee of the NPC. This fact shows that China’s ethnic minorities are fully
represented in the leading body of the state.
At the same time, the Chinese government has created a unique regional autonomy
policy. Practice in China in this respect shows that the policy is correct
and worth recommending to the rest of the world.
The Ethnic Region Autonomy Law of the PRC
Each ethnic minority has the right to autonomy in its residential area. This
right to autonomy is carried out under the Ethnic Region Autonomy Law of the
PRC. This policy is the principal lever by which the Chinese government handles
ethnic problems. It is also a very important political policy.
Right from the time of the founding of the PRC, the 51st article in the common
program of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference stated:
“Ethnic regional autonomy should be established in the areas where the ethnic
minorities reside. Autonomous territories should be set up based on the populations
of the ethnic minorities and the sizes of the areas where they live in concentration.
In 1982, the 114th article of China’s Constitution stated: “The organs
of self- government of ethnic autonomous areas are the people’s congresses
and people’s government of the autonomous regions, autonomous prefectures
or autonomous counties.”
The Ethnic Region Autonomy Law of the PRC, promulgated on October 1,1984,
was the first law to state that ethnic minorities handle their own affairs
independently. The preamble to the law stated: “Ethnic region autonomy is
under unified state leadership,Ethnic minorities practice regional autonomy
where they live in compact areas, set up organs of self-government and exercise
the power of self-governing.
The Ethnic Region Autonomy Law of the PRC reflects the spirit of the state
in fully respecting and ensuring the right of ethnic minorities to handle
their own affairs. It reflects the determination of the state to implement
the principle that all ethnic minorities are equal, united and prosper together.
The Establishment of Ethnic Autonomous Regions
In China, the areas where the system of regional autonomy for ethnic minorities
is practiced can be divided into three levels, namely, autonomous regions
(with administrative status equal to that of provincial governments), autonomous
prefectures (with administrative status between that of a provincial government and that of a county
government) and autonomous counties (with administrative status equal to that
of a county government), according to the size of the area they occupy. Autonomous
regions are directly subordinate to the State Council, autonomous prefectures
are subordinate to the relevant provincial governments, and autonomous counties
are subordinate to the local administrative organs. No matter which executive
authorities they are subordinate to, all autonomous organs have the right
of self-government, and the heads of such organs shall be members of the local
ethnic minorities.
In order to safeguard the equal political rights of all ethnic minorities,
some of which live in vast areas, while others live in compact communities
in small areas, the People’s Republic of China has formulated principles for
the establishment of ethnic autonomous regions.
The establishment of ethnic autonomous regions can be based on the pattern
of population distribution.
According to The Law of the People’s Republic of China on Regional Ethnic
Autonomy, in places where ethnic minorities live in compact communities, after
due consideration has been given to the relationships among the ethnic minorities
and the economic development of those localities, as well as to the historical
background, an autonomous area based on one ethnic minority can be established,
or an autonomous area based on compact communities of two or more ethnic minorities
may be established. Given the pattern of population distribution, the ethnic
autonomous areas can be divided to three types: an autonomous area based on
one ethnic minority, such as the Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture; an autonomous
area based on one big ethnic minority, including one or more other ethnic
minorities with smaller populations, such as
the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region; and an autonomous area based
on two or more ethnic minorities living in compact communities within the
autonomous area, such as the Yuanjiang Hani, Yi and Dai Autonomous County.
All the ethnic autonomous areas of different types at different administrative
levels are based on regions where ethnic minorities live in compact communities.
Depending on the actual situation of each locality, ethnic autonomous areas
may include cities or towns where Han people or people of other ethnic minorities
also live. This is determined by historical trends as well as social needs,
and is conducive to harmony between different ethnic minorities and the development
of autonomous areas.
Now, in 155 ethnic autonomous organs, the chairmanship or vice-chairmanship
of the standing committees of the people’s congresses of autonomous areas,
and the heads of the autonomous regions, autonomous prefectures and autonomous
counties are citizens of the ethnic minorities exercising regional autonomy
in the area concerned.
Full discussion among ethnic minorities
According to The Law on Regional Ethnic Autonomy, the establishment of an
ethnic autonomous area, the delimiting of its boundaries and what name this
autonomous region is to assume shall be decided after these matters are
fully discussed among state organs at a higher level, the state organs of
the locality concerned and the representatives of the relevant ethnic group(s).
Then their decision shall be submitted for approval in accordance with the
procedures prescribed by law. What kind of autonomous area is to be established
is of immediate concern to the interests of the ethnic group(s) concerned,
so the establishment of the autonomous area, the delimiting of its boundaries
and what name it is to assume shall be decided after full discussion by
the representatives of the relevant ethnic group(s). Their opinions shall
be given full consideration before the decision is made. In this way, the
right of self-government by ethnic minorities and of administering local
affairs and their own internal affairs is fully respected.
The law also stipulates: Except for special cases, the name of an ethnic autonomous
area normally consists of the name of the place, name of the ethnic group
and a definition of the administrative status, in that order. Examples are
the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Dachang Hui Autonomous County and
Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture. This regulation not only confirms
the local historical name, but also the name of the relevant ethnic group(s)
and the administrative status of the area. Other examples are the Inner
Mongolia Autonomous Region and Tibet Autonomous Region. They are the typical
cases, in which the name is the combination of the historical locality name
and the name of the local ethnic group, embodying both the principle and
the spirit of the regulation. This regulation scientifically reflects the
traditional customs and the will of the local ethnic group(s).
Ethnic Autonomous Areas Enjoy the Right to Formulate Self-Government Regulations
and Special Regulations
The Law on Regional Ethnic Autonomy stipulates, ‘people’s congresses in autonomous
areas have the right to formulate self-government regulations and special
regulations, and to adopt special policies and flexible alterations in light
of the particular political, economic and cultural conditions of the ethnic
group(s) in that autonomous area.” By the end of 2003, ethnic autonomous
areas had formulated 133 self-government regulations and 384 special regulations.
In light of the particular situation in each area, ethnic autonomous areas
have made flexible alterations or provide supplementary regulations to 68
provisions in such State laws as the Marriage Law, Inheritance Law, Election
Law, Land Law and Grassland Law.
Self-governing power in financial administration
Organs of self-government of autonomous areas have the right to manage local
financial matters. All financial revenue belonging to ethnic autonomous
areas under the state financial system can be used by the organs of self-government
without any restrictions.
Self-arranging, planning and controlling of local economic construction
Under the guidance of state planning, organs of self-government of autonomous
areas shall independently arrange and manage local economic construction
projects. They can formulate goals, policies and planning, depending on
the local features and needs. For example, in the five ethnic autonomous
regions, the local governments have formulated a series of policies to promote
local economic development.
Self-management of local education.
Organs of self-government of autonomous areas also have the right to independently
manage work in the fields of education, science and technology, culture,
hygiene and sport, and independently protect and regulate the cultural heritage
of the local ethnic group(s), so as to develop and promote the local culture.
The right to organize local security forces to safeguard social stability
According to the Law on Regional Ethnic Autonomy after gaining approval from
the State Council, organs of self-government of autonomous areas can organize
security forces to safeguard local social stability under the state military
system and according to local needs
The right to use one or more commonly used local languages of Ethnic minorities
According to the provisions of the self-government regulations for ethnic
autonomous areas, the organs of self-government of such areas may use one
or more commonly used local languages when they are performing official
duties. At the same time, the organs encourage the cadres of different ethnic
minorities to learn each other’s language. Han cadres shall learn local
languages, while cadres of ethnic minorities shall learn the Han language
as well as learn and use their own languages.
For more than half century, the Chinese government has been taking all necessary
measures to train a large number of minority cadres, including specialized
personnel in the field of science, technology. The number of minority cadres has totaled
over one million in the past 50 years. Most of them have been not only talented
people of their own ethnic minorities, but also among the elite of the whole
nation.
We can clearly see the positive role of training cadres from ethnic minorities
with small populations. For example, there are six cadres per 100 persons
in the Elunchun ethnic group, which has a population of only 4,000. These
cadres guarantee that the Elunchun people get respect and understanding
in all aspects and at all levels.
