The People's Republic of China (PRC) is a multi-ethnic unitary state and, as such, officially recognizes 56 ethnic groups (or Mínzú, 民族), within China. Of these the Han are the majority (>92%), and the remaining 55 ethnic groups (referred to as Shǎoshù Mínzú in Chinese; 少數民族) are considered ethnic minorities. In addition to the 56 officially recognized ethnic groups, there are some Chinese who privately classify themselves as members of unrecognized ethnic groups (such as Jewish, Tuvan, Oirat and Ili Turki), although most Chinese who are uncertain of their specific ethnicity identify themselves generically as Han. Also, foreign nationals who have become Chinese citizens form yet another separate group. The direct translation of minzu (民族) may mean "ethnic group", "people", or "nationality"[1]. Han Chinese (Simplified Chinese: 汉族; Traditional Chinese: 漢族; Pinyin: hànzú) is a term which refers to the majority ethnic group within China and the largest single human ethnic group in the world. ... Undistinguished ethnic groups in China (未识别民族: Wèi Shíbié Mínzú; sometimes translated as Undistinguished nationalities) are ethnic groups in the Peoples Republic of China that have not been recognized among or classified within the official 56 Ethnic groups in China. ... The word Jew ( Hebrew: יהודי) is used in a wide number of ways, but generally refers to a follower of the Jewish faith, a child of a Jewish mother, or someone of Jewish descent with a connection to Jewish culture or ethnicity and often a combination... Tuva or Tyva (Russian: Республика Тыва [Тува], Respublika Tyva [Tuva]) (pop. ... The Oyirad (also spelled Oirat) is an alliance of the western Mongols. ...

In general, the system of 56 ethnic groups is applied only within mainland China, with the exception of the ethnic groups of Hainan and Taiwanese aborigines. The latter are classified as a single one of the 56 ethnic groups--Gaoshan ("High Mountains")--although they represent several linguistically and culturally diverse ethnicities. Hong Kong and Macau do not use this ethnic classification system, and figures by the PRC government do not include Hong Kong and Macau. The highlighted area in the map is what is commonly known as mainland China. Mainland China (Simplified Chinese: 中国大陆; Traditional Chinese: 中國大陸; pinyin: Zhōnggúo Dàlù; literally The Chinese Massive Landmass or Continental China) is an informal (disputed — see talk page) geographical term which is usually synonymous with the area... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... The terrain of Taiwan is mostly mountainous in the east but gradually changes to gently sloping plains in the west. ... A Rukai village Chief visiting the Department of Anthropology in Tokyo Imperial University during the Japanese rule. ... A Rukai villege Chief visiting Department of Anthropology in Tokyo Imperial University during the Japanese rule. ...

In the PRC and the Republic of China, the various ethnic groups in China are part of a broader "civil ethnicity" known as the Chinese nation (中華民族; pinyin: Zhōnghuá Mínzú). Unless specifically stated or discussing Chinese minorities, English usage of the term "Chinese" typically refers to the Chinese nation, and not the Han Chinese. PRC is a common abbreviation for: Peoples Republic of China Palestinian Red Crescent Popular Resistance Committees This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Motto: None Anthem(s): National Anthem of the Republic of China Capital Taipei City (de facto) Nanjing (de jure)1 Largest city Taipei City Official language(s) Mandarin (GuóyÇ”) Government Semi-presidential system  - President Chen Shui-bian  - Vice President Annette Lu  - Premier Su Tseng-chang Establishment Xinhai Revolution   - Declared... Zhonghua Minzu (Traditional Chinese: 中華民族; Simplified Chinese: 中华民族; Hanyu Pinyin: ), is a Mandarin Chinese term that in modern China, describes a notion of a Chinese nationality transcending ethnic divisions- in other words, a civic nationality as opposed to an ethnic one, with a central loyalty to China as a whole. ... Zhonghua Minzu (Traditional Chinese: 中華民族; Simplified Chinese: 中华民族; Hanyu Pinyin: ), is a Mandarin Chinese term that in modern China, describes a notion of a Chinese nationality transcending ethnic divisions- in other words, a civic nationality as opposed to an ethnic one, with a central loyalty to China as a whole. ... Han Chinese (Simplified Chinese: 汉族; Traditional Chinese: 漢族; Pinyin: hànzú) is a term which refers to the majority ethnic group within China and the largest single human ethnic group in the world. ...

Ethnic groups

Ethnolinguistic map of China

Most ethnic groups are distinctive from one another, but there are some that are very similar to the Han majority group. For example, many Hui Chinese are indistinguishable from Han Chinese except for the fact that they practice Islam. Conversely, Hakka are often thought of as an ethnic group, but they are generally considered to be within the subgroups of the Han ethnicity. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (3031x2544, 959 KB) Please see the file description page for further information. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (3031x2544, 959 KB) Please see the file description page for further information. ... The Hui (回) ethnic group is unrelated to the Hui (徽) dialects. ... Han Chinese (Simplified Chinese: 汉族; Traditional Chinese: 漢族; Pinyin: hànzú) is a term which refers to the majority ethnic group within China and the largest single human ethnic group in the world. ... For other uses, including people named Islam, see Islam (disambiguation). ... The Hakka are Han Chinese people whose ancestors are said to have originated in the Henan and Shanxi provinces of northern China over 1,700 years ago. ... In Mandarin: minxi (ethnic lineages) or zuqun (ethnic groups). ...

While Han Chinese make up the vast majority of China's total population, the population distribution is highly uneven with large parts of western China having Han Chinese as a minority. In addition the lumping of most Chinese into the majority Han, obscures some of the large linguistic, cultural, and genetic differences between persons within that group.

The multi-ethnic nature of China results in many centuries of assimilation, expansion and modern consolidation of territories incorporated by the Qing dynasty, whose emperors were themselves Manchu and not members of the majority Han. Chinese ethnicities theory is heavily influenced by that of the Soviet Union. Official policy is against assimilation and maintains that each ethnic group should have the right to develop its own culture and language. The Qing Dynasty (Chinese: ; Pinyin: Qīng cháo; Wade-Giles: Ching chao; Manchu: daicing gurun), occasionally known as the Manchu Dynasty, is a Chinese term for the Empire of the Great Qing (Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: dàqīngguó), founded by the Manchu clan Aisin Gioro, in what... The Manchu (Manchu: Manju; Simplified Chinese: 满族; Traditional Chinese: 滿族; pinyin: Mǎnzú) are a Tungusic people who originated in Manchuria (todays Northeast China). ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The word culture, from the Latin colo, -ere, with its root meaning to cultivate, generally refers to patterns of human activity and the symbolic structures that give such activity significance. ...

The degree of integration of ethnic minorities with the national community varies widely from group to group. With some groups, such as the Tibetans and the Uyghurs there is some resentment against the majority. Other groups such as the Zhuang, Manchu, Hui, and ethnic Koreans are well integrated into the national community and typically identify themselves as part of the Chinese nationality. Ethnolinguistic Groups of Tibet, 1967 ( See entire map, which includes a key) Ethnic Tibetan autonomous entities set up by the Peoples Republic of China. ... The Uyghur (Uyghur: ئۇيغۇر; Uighur Simplified Chinese: 维吾尔; Traditional Chinese: 維吾爾; Pinyin: Wéiwúěr; Turkish: Uygur) are a Turkic people, forming one of the 56 ethnic groups officially recognized by the Peoples Republic of China. ... The Zhuang (Simplified Chinese: 壮族; Traditional Chinese: 壯族; Hanyu Pinyin: ; own name: Bouчcueŋь/Bouxcuengh) are an ethnic group of people who mostly live in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China. ... The Manchu (Manchu: Manju; Simplified Chinese: 满族; Traditional Chinese: 滿族; pinyin: Mǎnzú) are a Tungusic people who originated in Manchuria (todays Northeast China). ... Hui can refer to: Hui people, a Chinese ethnic group. ... Zhonghua Minzu (Traditional Chinese: 中華民族; Simplified Chinese: 中华民族; Hanyu Pinyin: ), is a Mandarin Chinese term that in modern China, describes a notion of a Chinese nationality transcending ethnic divisions- in other words, a civic nationality as opposed to an ethnic one, with a central loyalty to China as a whole. ...

For a list of ethnic groups in China, see List of ethnic groups in China. // Officially recognised ethnic groups in China In order of population, this is the list of ethnic groups in China that are officially recognised by the government of the Peoples Republic of China. ...

See List of China administrative regions by ethnic group for the ethnic composition of each province-level division of China. The list below outlines the distribution of the nationalities of China among provinces and province-level entities of Mainland China, according to the census of 2000. ...

Complications

Undistinguished ethnic groups (未识别民族: Wèi Shíbié Mínzú) are ethnic groups that have not been officially recognized or classified by the central government. The group numbers more than 730,000 people, and would constitute the 20th most populous ethnic group of China if taken as a single group (which it is not). The vast majority of this group is found in Guizhou province. Undistinguished ethnic groups in China (未识别民族: Wèi Shíbié Mínzú; sometimes translated as Undistinguished nationalities) are ethnic groups in the Peoples Republic of China that have not been recognized among or classified within the official 56 Ethnic groups in China. ... (Simplified Chinese: 贵州; Traditional Chinese: è²´å·ž; pinyin: Gùizhōu; Wade-Giles: Kuei-chou; also spelled Kweichow) is a province of the Peoples Republic of China located in the southwestern part of the country. ...

These "undistinguished ethnic groups" do not include groups that have been controversially classified into existing groups. For example, the Mosuo are officially classified as Naxi, and the Chuanqing are classified as Han Chinese, but they reject these classifications and view themselves as separate ethnic groups. The Mosuo (also spelled Moso) (Chinese: 摩梭; pinyin: Mósuō) are a small ethnic group living in the Yunnan Province in China, south of Sichuan Province. ... Categories: Ethnic groups of China ... Han Chinese (Simplified Chinese: 汉族; Traditional Chinese: 漢族; Pinyin: hànzú) is a term which refers to the majority ethnic group within China and the largest single human ethnic group in the world. ...

Citizens of mainland China (i.e., excluding the former European colonies of Hong Kong and Macau; see Macanese people) who are of foreign origin are classified using yet another separate label: "foreigners naturalized into the Chinese citizenship" (外国人入中国籍). However, if there is an existing group among the 56 ethnic groups that describes the citizen of foreign origin (e.g., Han Chinese, Korean, Russian, Gin, Kazakh, etc.), then he or she is classified into that ethnic group rather than the special label. The highlighted area in the map is what is commonly known as mainland China. Mainland China (Simplified Chinese: 中国大陆; Traditional Chinese: 中國大陸; pinyin: Zhōnggúo Dàlù; literally The Chinese Massive Landmass or Continental China) is an informal (disputed — see talk page) geographical term which is usually synonymous with the area... Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ...

Religions

Note that some of these ethnic groups hold belief systems that cannot be distinctly classified based upon the following system (in alphabetical order).

• Buddhism: the Bai, Bulang, Dai, Jinuo, Jingpo, Mongol, Naxi (including Mosuo), Nu, Tibetan and Yugun.
• Eastern Orthodox Christianity: the Russians
• Islam: the Bonan, Dongxiang, Hui, Kazak, Kirgiz, Salar, Tajik, Tatar, Uyghur and Uzbek.
• Shamanism: the Daurs, Ewenkis, and Oroqens.

A replica of an ancient statue of Gautama Buddha, found in Sarnath, near Varanasi. ... Eastern Orthodoxy (also called Greek Orthodoxy and Russian Orthodoxy) is a Christian tradition which represents the majority of Eastern Christianity. ... For other uses, including people named Islam, see Islam (disambiguation). ... A shaman doctor of Kyzyl. ...

Notes

• Note 1: The PRC government refers to all Taiwanese aborigines as Gaoshan (高山族), meaning "High Mountain", whereas the government of the ROC in Taiwan recognizes a dozen groups of Taiwanese aborigines. The term Gaoshan has a different connotation in Taiwan (see Taiwanese aborigines for details). While several thousands of these aborigines have migrated to PRC's Fujian province, most remain in Taiwan; whether the ones in Taiwan should be considered citizens of the PRC is a controversial issue of ROC's and Taiwan's legal status and political status.

A Rukai village Chief visiting the Department of Anthropology in Tokyo Imperial University during Japanese rule of Taiwan. ... (Chinese: 福建; Pinyin: Fújiàn; Wade-Giles: Fu-chien; Postal System Pinyin: Fukien, Foukien; local transliteration Hokkien from Min Nan Hok-kiàn) is one of the provinces on the southeast coast of China. ... The legal question of which legal entity holds de jure sovereignty over Taiwan is a controversial issue. ... Taiwan Strait area The controversy regarding the political status of Taiwan hinges on whether Taiwan, including the Pescadores (Penghu), should remain the effective territory of the Republic of China (ROC), become unified with the territories now governed by the Peoples Republic of China (PRC), or become the Republic of...

See also

• Chinese citizenship law
• Undistinguished ethnic groups in China
• Demographics of China
• Languages of China
• Chinese ethnic groups of the past
• Zhonghua minzu
• List of ethnic groups
• Central University for Nationalities
• China National Ethnic Song and Dance

Nationality Law of the Peoples Republic of China This law is applicable to the acquisition, loss and restoration of nationality of the Peoples Republic of China. ... Undistinguished ethnic groups in China (未识别民族: Wèi Shíbié Mínzú; sometimes translated as Undistinguished nationalities) are ethnic groups in the Peoples Republic of China that have not been recognized among or classified within the official 56 Ethnic groups in China. ... The demographics of China may include or exclude, depending on context or point of view: The demographics of mainland China The demographics of Hong Kong The demographics of Macau The demographics of Taiwan This is a disambiguation page: a list of articles associated with the same title. ... Map of Linguistic Groups (showing arees under effective control of the Peoples Republic of China (including Hong Kong and Macau) and Republic of China combined) Chinas many different ethnic groups speak many different languages, collectively called Zhōngguó Yǔwén (中国语文), literally Speech and writing of China which... Any non clear-cut connection is denoted by a question mark (?) beside the equivalences. ... Zhonghua Minzu (Traditional Chinese: 中華民族; Simplified Chinese: 中华民族; Hanyu Pinyin: ), is a Mandarin Chinese term that in modern China, describes a notion of a Chinese nationality transcending ethnic divisions- in other words, a civic nationality as opposed to an ethnic one, with a central loyalty to China as a whole. ... This is a list of names of ethnic groups. ... Central University of Nationalities (中央民族大学, pinyin: Zhōngyāng Mínzú Dàxúe) is a small national level university located in Beijing, China designated for minority nationalities. ... China National Ethnic Song and Dance Ensemble Each of China’s 55 ethnic minority groups possesses its own vibrant and unique arts traditions. ...

External links and references

• Chinese National Minorities
• The Ethnic Publishing House: on customs and autonomous places (in Simplified Chinese)
• China National Ethnic Song & Dance Ensemble