China will speed up the introduction of supporting laws and
regulations for autonomous and self-governing regions to further
protect the rights of minority populations, Vice-President Zeng Qinghong said.
"As a fundamental part of China' democracy, Inner Mongolia's
great achievements symbolize victories of the Communist Party of
China (CPC)'s ethnic policy," Zeng said.
He made the remarks yesterday in Huhhot, capital of northern
China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the first of five
province-level autonomous regions established in China. The region
celebrated in 60th anniversary yesterday.
"The Party's ethnic policies have generated prosperity and
harmony in the region," Zeng said. "We will also concentrate on
fostering talents in minority populated areas so as to better
improve policies."
He also called on religious figures and groups to play a bigger
role in building a harmonious society and continue to protect
ethnic cultural rights, but "we will act firmly against forces from
home and abroad promoting ethnic separatism and religious extremism
according to law".
With 55 minority groups, the region is leading the way as
China's model for multiculturalism.
About one-fifth of the region's 24 million population are of an
ethnic minority background. The autonomous region receives
considerable support from Beijing.
Inner Mongolia's per capita GDP skyrocketed from 96 yuan in 1947
to 20,047 yuan in 2006, and could reach US$3,000 this year, ranking
among the country's top 10 performers.
The basic rights of people, such as education, medical care and
employment, have been guaranteed and the Mongolian language and
traditional culture has also been preserved and carried forward,
according to Yang Jing, chairman of the regional
government.
Also yesterday, the central government delegation presented
Inner Mongolia with a 5-meter-tall, 13-ton bronze "ding", an
ancient-style cooking vessel with two looped handles and three
legs.
Inscribed with the words "Treasure of Ethnic Unity" written by
President Hu Jintao, the ding represents the 1.3 billion
people who will unite and work together and create a brilliant
future, Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu said in a letter from the central
government.
"Solidarity means victory. Inner Mongolia is experiencing its
best period in economic development and social stability, a
bellwether leading the country," Hui said.
(China Daily August 9, 2007)