China has been a unified multiethnic country since ancient times. Historical records show that as far back as 221 B.C., the State of Qin established the first centralized feudal monarchy in the country, extending its rule over parts of the southwestern regions inhabited by various ethnic groups. During the succeeding Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D. 220), 17 administrative prefectures were set up in northwest China, where many ethnic peoples including Uygur and Kazaks lived in compact communities. From that time on, different ethnic groups have lived in harmony, and their age-old peaceful coexistence and cultural integration have brought them into the fold of the Chinese nation.

Greater attention has been attached to the interests and well-being of the ethnic minorities since the founding of the People’s Republic in 1949. Not only have their political status and various rights been recognized and respected, but as prescribed by the Constitution, concrete measures have also been taken to protect their cultural heritage, stimulate the local economy, and uplift their living standards, all in an effort to seek political, cultural and economic advancement for these ethnic minorities, and maintain harmony.

Altogether, 56 ethnic groups have been identified in China, of which the overriding majority are Han people, accounting for 90.56 percent of the country’s 1.3 billion gross population (2005 demographic census by the National Bureau of Statistics). What merits noticing, however, is that as a result of preferential state policies in family planning, the population of ethnic minorities has increased dramatically in recent years, making up 42 percent of the overall population growth from 2000 to 2005, and is expected to surpass 50 percent in the next decade.

Realistically, because of historical, geographical, social and other limitations, most of the ethnic minorities still live in a relatively backward state in their remote hometowns. This is manifested not only in the generally poor and harsh living conditions and outdated local infrastructures, but also in the inadequacy of social welfare undertakings, including a short supply of medical and education services, limited employment opportunities, and restricted sources for income growth.

To address these predicaments, the Central Government has devised several approaches, the latest being the 11th Five-Year Plan for Ethnic Minorities Affairs promulgated in March this year. The first ever of its kind, the plan has laid down some broad tasks up to 2010. These include, among others, upgrading local infrastructures to speed up economic growth, implementing special poverty relief projects, enhancing educational level for and spreading scientific knowledge among ethnic minorities, improving social security coverage, and encouraging economic and cultural cooperation between ethnic minority communities and the outside world.

While these lofty goals have been warmly and widely applauded, concerns are being voiced about the possible impact of some specific measures, as they may bring damage to the indigenous cultures and the local environment. After all, there seems to be no one-size-fits-all approach to the modernization of these ethnic minority groups, and the needs of each group should be considered in the context of the overall human and environmental harmony of the country.