As a brief introduction to the ethnic groups and religions in China, this book has to leave out many events and people. Instead, it gives a concise elaboration and some relevant numbers.

I am deeply grateful that as a journalist that has worked on minority news reports for over 20 years, I have had opportunities to know the events that show a sense of history and to be in contact with people who promote progress. In this process, I realize, perhaps more deeply than others, that those who really speak about history are the ones that are likely to be submerged by it.

China is a unified multi-ethnic country where many different kinds of religion co-exist. For a long period, people from different ethnic groups have close contacts, rely on each other, and are interconnected with common joys and sorrows. They form a setup of pluralistic integration and jointly create the long and splendid Chinese civilization. Modern China practices the equal, united and mutual assistance polices toward ethnic minorities. It respects and protects the freedom and rights of religious belief of various ethnic groups, improves the harmony of ethnic minorities and promotes the all-round development of various undertakings such as politics, economy and culture of ethnic minorities.

Preface

Nationality or Ethnic Group?

The Pattern of Diversity in Unity of the Chinese Nation

The Overall Situation of Ethnic Minority Populations in China

Regional Ethnic Autonomy in China

China's Ethnic Minority Culture as Well as Its Protection and Development

The Economy of Ethnic Minorities in China

Religious Beliefs of Chinese People