All ethnic groups in China are equal and no racial
discrimination exists, Dainzhub Ongboin, vice director of the State
Ethnic Affairs Commission, told a regular news briefing on
Thursday.
"China's ethnic groups enjoy equal status and are living in
unity. There is no discrimination (directed at any ethnicity),"
Dainzhub, who is himself of Tibetan origin, said, in response to a
Reuters reporter who asked whether racial discrimination existed in
Chinese society.
China has 55 minority ethnic groups. The Han people accounts for
more than 90 percent of the country's total population.
"People from different ethnic groups often help each other and
their relations are harmonious," he said, adding the central
government was investing more money to alleviate poverty in some
ethnic minority groups.
"The 56 ethnic minorities are like brothers and sisters living
in one family," said Dainzhub.
(Xinhua News Agency March 29, 2007)
