Ethnic Identification in China – Origins of 56 Ethnic Groups

Author: Huang Guangxue
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1950-01-01
Features: This book is the research outcome of the project "Social Survey Research on China's Ethnic Minorities — Ethnic Identification in China," which was approved by the National Social Science Planning Foundation (Fund) in 1990. Ethnic identification refers to the differentiation of ethnic components and names within a group, a crucial ethnic task since the establishment of the People's Republic of China. Ethnic identification is a foundational work with strong theoretical, scientific, and policy implications, yet it is also quite complex. It directly relates to the implementation of the Communist Party of China's ethnic policies, the establishment and development of socialist ethnic relations, the strengthening of ethnic unity, the consolidation of national unity, and the realization of long-term stability and peace. It is particularly important for the implementation of ethnic regional autonomy policies, the successful advancement of socialist modernization, and the common prosperity of all ethnic groups. Therefore, ethnic identification is both an extremely demanding, politically significant practical task and a scientifically valuable research endeavor. Practice has proven that the ethnic identification conducted after the establishment of the People's Republic of China has been successful, aligns with China's realities, has resolved long-standing unresolved issues, achieved remarkable accomplishments, and has become an integral part of China's socialist ethnic work and ethnic scientific research with Chinese characteristics. It has played a driving role in determining the ethnic structure of the People's Republic of China, maintaining a stable and united political situation, and enabling all ethnic groups to work together in building socialism. Over the past four decades, Chinese ethnic workers and ethnic scientific researchers have conducted extensive and in-depth research and discussions on ethnic concepts, the formation and development of ethnic groups, the complexity of China's ethnic identification issues, the theoretical basis of ethnic identification, the achievements and significance of ethnic identification, as well as the successful experiences, existing problems, and unresolved issues in China's ethnic identification work. This book provides a systematic and comprehensive review and summary of the above aspects related to ethnic identification, reflecting both the major achievements and successful experiences while also highlighting existing problems. It offers references for further addressing unresolved issues of ethnic identification in the future, helping a broad readership, including cadres, especially ethnic workers and ethnic scientific researchers, to gain a more comprehensive and in-depth understanding of China's ethnic issues and ethnic work. This will contribute to strengthening ethnic unity, consolidating national unity, and jointly striving for the construction of a socialism with Chinese characteristics!