Ethnic Group

China is a large country noted for its dense population and vast territory. There are 55 minority ethnic groups in addition to the Han who make up over 92% of China's vast population. The major minority ethnic groups are Zhuang, Manchu, Hui, Miao, Uyghur, Tujia, Yi, Mongol, Tibetan, Buyei, Dong, Yao, Korean, Bai, Hani, Kazakh, Li, and Dai.

The defining elements of an ethnic group are language, homeland and social values. 53 minority ethnic groups use spoken languages of their own; 23 minority ethnic groups have their own written languages. Language families include Sino-Tibetan, Altaic, Indo-European, Austro-Asiatic, and Austronesian.

Equality, unity and common prosperity are the fundamental objectives of the government in handling the relations between minority ethnic groups. China exercises a policy of regional autonomy for various minority ethnic groups, allowing minority group people living in compact communities to establish self-government and direct their own affairs.

Although it is the elements of Han civilization that world considers "Chinese culture", the 55 ethnic minorities, nestled away on China's vast frontiers, maintain their own rich traditions and customs, and all are part of Chinese culture.

The following is a list of ethnic groups in China.

Han

55 Ethnic Minorities:

Achang Ewenki Korean Naxi Tatar
Bai Gaoshan Lahu Nu Tibetan
Bonan Gelao Li Oroqen Tu
Bouyei Hani Lisu Ozbek Tujia
Blang Hezhe Luoba Pumi    Uigur
Dai Hui Manchu Qiang    Wa
Daur Jing Maonan    Russian Xibe
Deang Jingpo Menba Salar Yao
Dong Jinuo Miao She Yi
Dongxiang Kazak Mongolian Shui Yugur
Dulong Kirgiz Mulao Tajik Zhuang

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