Real concern and help

The basic attitude towards national minorities in China is one of great concern and positive help. That's one side of the coin. The other is that the majority race, the Han, do not force their standards on the minorities. They give the help that is asked for by the minorities themselves and in fact favour them in many aspects of life.

In the supreme national body, the National People's Congress, the minorities have 14% representation. The minority groups, although only 6% of the population, are spread out over about 60% of the total occupied area. The regions are under central Government direction but have wide powers to regulate their own affairs. This includes even the smallest minority, which has only 500people.

The people of these regions have freedom of religion but there is also the freedom to propagate atheism. The only rule is that people of either belief cannot use coercion or force. Each race takes the socialist road, but decides its own methods.