Ethnic minorities are playing an important role in local
political affairs in northern China's Inner
Mongolia Autonomous Region, according to local minority affairs
authorities.
Members of ethnic minorities hold a substantial proportion of
official positions, and many hold important posts in local
government departments, according to Baren, director of the
Committee of Minority and Foreign Affairs of the regional People's
Congress Standing Committee.
China's population is made up of 56 ethnic groups, with the Hans
accounting for about 93 percent of the nation's total population.
Approximately 5 million of Inner Mongolia's 23.8 million residents
are members of ethnic minorities, about 80 percent of them
Mongolians.
In Inner Mongolia there are currently nearly 190,000 government
officials of non-Han ethnic origin, including Manchu, Hui, Daur,
Ewenki and Oroqen as well as Mongolian. Baren said that this is
more than 25 percent of all officials in the region.
The heads of local governments of the Daur, Ewenki and Oroqen
autonomous banners (counties), are members of minorities. Incumbent
regional chairman Yang Jing is a Mongolian.
"All this signifies that China's policies for autonomy in the
regions have been carried out successfully, and that these people
enjoy full rights to participate in managing the affairs of their
own ethnic groups," said Baren.
Baren indicates that the number of minority officials is rising,
largely as a result of enforcement of China's policies for regional
autonomy and a growing awareness of the importance of participation
in managing regional affairs.
Improved education is doubtless playing a role, as the central
government has vigorously promoted education since the
establishment of the PRC more than 50 years ago.
A Mongolian-language-based education system ranging from
preschool to college has been set up in Inner Mongolia. At present,
there are 1,600 primary schools and 300 high schools for the
minorities. Approximately 30,000 minority undergraduates are
enrolled in the region's 20 colleges, accounting for nearly 30
percent of total undergraduate enrollment.
(China.org.cn, China Daily January 5, 2005)