Uygurs in a traditional harvest celebration dance now earn a living dancing for tourists

Although the 55 ethnic minorities with a total population of 106.43 million account for only 8.41% of China nearly 1.3 billion people, the areas they inhabit claim about 64% of the country land territory. The large gross population and wide spread of habitats of China ethnic minorities are rather unique in the world and one of the most important characteristics of China reality.

Over the past 55 years, the Chinese government has attached great importance to safeguarding the rights and interests of ethnic minorities, establishing a policy system pillared by regional autonomy and featuring equality, economic development, cultural enrichment and social security. But generally speaking, remarkable gaps in economic development still exist between minority areas and Han regions, especially as compared with the coastal areas in the east and south. Therefore, to accelerate the economic and cultural development in minority areas in order to achieve common prosperity of all ethnic groups is not only a basic goal pursued by China modernization drive but also a theme for China to safeguard the rights to subsistence and development.

Western Development and Poverty Elimination

Western regions are a conception of economic geography. But since ethnic minorities by and large all inhabit in western China,1 to some extent the western regions feature the social and humanity elements of the evolution of ethnic minorities. In this context, the implementation of the strategy to develop the western regions goes beyond the economic significance to promote an overall development in politics, economy, culture and social life for ethnic minority people in these regions. The foremost thing to do to realize this goal is to eliminate poverty.

Poverty elimination is a basic prerequisite to honor human rights, since “the existence of widespread extreme poverty inhibits the full and effective enjoyment of human rights,” while poverty and social degradation also severely endanger the protection of human rights.3 In this sense, China human rights conception that emphasizes the rights to subsistence and development reflects a profound understanding of the essence of human rights. In the last decade of the 20th century, poverty became a global issue drawing much attention from the international community, and was highlighted in the United Nations Millennium Declaration in 2000. Yet it is still arduous to get rid of poverty. According to some UN reports in 2001, in the past 10 years the global program to reduce poverty moved slowly, with the goal to reduce the impoverished population worldwide by half up to 2015 hard to realize. On the contrary, by then the poverty-stricken population will be likely to increase from the current 307 million to 420 million.4 In contrast, China efforts to eliminate poverty have made remarkable progress, with considerable achievements in minority areas.

China used to be one of the countries with the largest population in poverty. In 1978 there were 250 million people living in poverty in China mainland. Over the past 20 years and more, the Chinese government has adopted a series of policies to eliminate poverty, taking many special measures with regard to minority areas where a big proportion of population is poor,5 which were quite successful. Up to the end of 2002, the poor population in rural areas had dropped to 28.2 million.6 Among the 220 million people who had got rid of poverty, 36 million are in minority areas.7 In this sense, China endeavor and accomplishments in eliminating poverty not only have made significant contributions to the global program to reduce poverty but also have played an exemplary role for other developing countries in guaranteeing the ethnic minorities’ rights to equal development and common prosperity.

To date most of the remaining 28 million poor people in China still live in the western regions, of whom over 10 million are ethnic minorities. Among the 592 counties designated by the Chinese government as the key targets to reduce poverty, 341 or 57.6% are in minority areas. That why the focus of China poverty reduction program is on minority areas in the west, and it is listed as one of the basic goals in the strategy to develop the western regions. The economic growth boosted by this strategy actually reflects the people-centered conception to safeguard the minorities’ right to subsistence, improve their living conditions and guarantee their right to development.

Western Development and reservation of “Two Resources”


The development of the west is not simply an economic act but also a move to form a mechanism of sustainable development to facilitate harmonious co-existence between man and nature and between man and society. Therefore, in the practice of promoting the economic development featuring the infrastructure construction, a basic idea is to preserve the biological and cultural diversity in the western regions, especially in the autonomous areas for ethnic minorities.

Generally speaking, western regions lag behind other parts of China in economic and cultural development. But they prominently are abundant in natural resources, and in biological and cultural diversity. The ecological system formed by biodiversity is a resource endowed by nature for human beings to survive, and is the basis on which human beings could create cultural diversity through their interaction with nature. It is essential for the modern economic development to be based on the preservation of these two kinds of resources, ecological and cultural diversity.

In the economic development over the past 20 years, there emerged a series of grave problems in the ecological system in western China, such as soil erosion, desertification of grassland and farmland, weakened readjustment function of forests, rivers running dry, shrunk lake areas and wetland, and more plant diseases and insect pests, according to a study on the ecological situation in western regions by the State Environmental Protection Administration in 2001.8 A major cause of these problems was irrational economic activities, particularly destructive development including reclamation of grassland, over herding, deforestation and inning of wetland. Such acts to “drain the pond to get all the fish” were a direct aftermath of underdeveloped local economy and poverty. The deteriorating ecology not only aggravates the economic plight but also causes the loss of cultural traditions and alterations in values and behavioral modes. With regard to this situation, ecological preservation and construction have become a fundamental task in the state pursuit for the development of western regions. The central and local governments have taken various measures to readjust economic acts and structures while concentrating their efforts to solve the problem of poverty in western regions, and have tried to restore the ecology by means of natural recovery and artificial reconstruction and carry out strict preservation of natural forests, grassland and wetland through the establishment of natural reserves.9 For this purpose, China has extensively absorbed experiences from advanced countries and constantly sought to expand international cooperation. One of the projects is the assessment on the EU-China Biodiversity Preservation, designed to preserve and reconstruct the ecosystem of western China.

To preserve ecological resources is to uphold biodiversity. The loss of biodiversity will inevitably cause the unbalance of ecology, which is bound to endanger the human subsistence and development. Meanwhile, man subsistence needs culture, and man development cries for cultural diversity. China modernization cannot do away with the diversified biological resources in the country western regions, nor can it do away with the diversified cultural resources of ethnic minorities there. From the approach of ecological anthropology, the interaction between natural environment and human culture is closely associated, although there are different views on the recognition of this interactive relation among the academic circles,10 it is a universal law that cultural diversity is often displayed in areas of biodiversity. In different ecosystems, people live on different origins and varieties of materials for their subsistence, hence their different methods to gather and use them. Such knowledge, experience, behavior, techniques and values formed through the cognition and use of nature make up the diversity of culture.
　　　　　
A pear orchard yields Turdi Abay about 100,000 yuan (US$12,077) a year in Korla, Xinjiang.

China western regions are the richest in resources of cultural diversity, which are the most colorful in China cultural treasures. These cultural resources, carried by various ethnic minorities, are demonstrated in oral and written languages, religious beliefs, literature and art, folk epics, food and diet, raiment, medicine, architecture and production technology, and contain rich traditional wisdoms and living experiences. To preserve, make use of and carry on these cultures is what China policies on ethnic groups are aimed at, and is an important task in the development of western regions. The national and local governments and research institutions have done much work in this respect, with remarkable achievements. In recent years, many fine parts of ethnic minority cultures have made considerable impact in the world while enriching China social life, indicating the effect of the preservation efforts.

The development of western China is aimed to promote all-round socioeconomic development of minority areas. Development means change, but changes do not equate with development. The significance of development lies in progress, while change may incorporate deterioration. In the historical process of modernization worldwide, there are numerous changes in the loss of human society traditional cultures, even extinguishments. The humankind has lost huge amount of cultural knowledge and traditional wisdoms, so that many ethnic groups that once established ancient civilizations are still in extreme poverty, such as some indigenous groups in America, Africa, Australia and Pacific islands. Such phenomena are directly caused by colonialism in history, which seriously violates the human rights to subsistence and development. Therefore, China selection of rights to subsistence and development as its basic goal to realize human rights in its exploration and promotion of modernization is not only based on its national reality but also to probe a civilized way to modernization. Modernization is a kind of quality yardstick for the development of economic life, but it is not a fixed mode. To developing countries, modernization is a commonly pursued development goal, yet the goal is not to be realized through the destroy of cultural homogeneity, but through the full affirmation and development of cultural diversity.11 This is a new conception of civilization and a spiritual force to promote the development of western China.

Amid the development of western China, Yunnan Province was the first to put up the program to build it into a province of ethnic cultures in 2000, based on the idea to develop local economy through the preservation, exploration and use of ethnic cultural diversity. This conception has not only made extensive impact on the western regions but also urged the coastal areas in the east and south to draw up their programs to build provinces of culture.12
　　　　　
Religious Rite of Mongolian people.

Minorities’ Fundamental Interests and China Human Rights Practice

As the most arduous project in China modernization drive, it takes a long time for the western regions to be developed. The purpose to eliminate poverty and develop in preservation is to solidly improve the quality of subsistence of the people of various ethnic groups in the west, and effectively enhance their capacity of self-development. What human rights uphold are the man dignity and interests. To eliminate poverty is the fundamental prerequisite to safeguard human dignity, and the sustainable development is the basic guarantee for the realization of human interests.

Based on the stance that all ethnic groups should be truly equal, China ethnic policies give prominence to the provisions that ethnic minorities are entitled to political equality, economic development, cultural prosperity and social security, with achievements known to all. The protection of the ethnic minorities’ rights and interests and their department have been an important part in the series of white papers on human rights and related documents issued by the Chinese government since 1991.13 This indicates that the safeguarding of ethnic minorities’ rights and interests has become an essential part in the overall development of China human rights cause. Such content in these documents not only truly reflects the Chinese government profound understanding of and attention to the importance of protecting the minorities’ rights and interests, but also truly shows that China human rights cause benefits the fundamental interest of people of all the ethnic groups in China.

At present the theme of China modernization drive is to build an overall well-being or Xiaokang society, with basic tinctures of more developed economy, more solid democracy, more advanced science and education, more prosperous culture, more harmonious society, and more affluent life for the people. The major contradictions in the contemporary Chinese society are those between the increasing material and cultural demand of the people of various ethnic groups and the backward social productivity, which are particularly extrusive in western regions, especially in areas where ethnic minorities live in compact community. Therefore the goal to build an overall well-being society represents the fundamental interest of the 106 million people of ethnic minorities as well of that of the Chinese nation as a whole. The development of China human rights is based on the safeguarding and realization of the fundamental interest of the people of China various ethnic groups. To eliminate poverty, promote development and achieve common prosperity of people of all ethnic groups is the basic requirement for China modernization drive, and is also the only way for them to have their human rights fully honored and create substantial material foundation. In this context, the construction of an overall well-being society in minority areas naturally becomes a basic task in the strategy to develop western regions, which includes the constant improvement of China regional ethnic autonomy and various policies on safeguarding the fundamental interest of the ethnic minorities.

It is a common ideal of human community to fully enjoy human rights. However, due to differences in the degree of development, social systems, history and culture in nearly 200 countries around the world, it is impossible for them to make simultaneous progress in their pursuit and practice of this common ideal. They also differ in their understanding of the universality and relativity of human rights conception. For developed countries modernization is already a reality, where people focus their attention on post-modernization trends and social phenomena. But for the developing countries still in poverty and backwardness, modernization is still a goal to be achieved, where there is a great distance to high industrialization and urbanized social life. In fact, in any nation, practice of human rights and the extent to which human rights are honored are restrained by the degree of its own social development. Although developing countries can learn from the positive and negative experiences of developed countries in their realization of human rights, it doesn’t mean that the conception of human rights can be exported like goods. Learning cannot be alienated from one own national reality. This is true in relations between countries and so is in relations between different ethnic groups within a nation.
　　　　　
A Mongolian Horse train to greet a bride.

In modern human society, every nation and every ethnic group has its respective strongpoints as well as limitations and deficiencies. So are their understanding and the degree of realization of human rights. It is necessary to understand and learn from each other for the enrichment in humankind common conception of human rights. Just as a Japanese scholar puts it: t least we should establish our own conception of human rights on the basis of understanding of these nations’ human rights ideals and situation, so as to really comprehend the significance and role of human rights in the 21st century world in which the super modernization of developed countries and modernization of developing countries run neck and neck.?4 This, I think, is one of the results China hopes to see in the extensive human rights dialogue in the international community.

The author is from the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
1. Key areas in the western regions to be developed include Chongqing, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Tibet, Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai, Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia and Guangxi, which together cover 57% of China land territory and claim three quarters of the country ethnic minority population.

2. Vienna Declaration on Human Rights, the World Conference on Human Rights, Vienna, 14-25 June, 1993.

3 .Thomas Fleiner: What Are Human Rights?

4. See UN reports: Global poverty reduction goal falls short, China Economic Times, Feb. 22, 2001; and UN reports: Population in extreme poverty may hit 420 million by 2015, Xinhua News Agency, June 19, 2002.

5. For instance, between 1994 and 2000, 38.4% of the state fund to aid the poor (43.253 billion yuan) was put in the five autonomous regions and Guizhou, Yunnan and Qinghai provinces which claim a large minority population. The fairly developed provinces and municipalities in the east were made to aid underdeveloped western regions one to one, with Beijing to Inner Mongolia, Tianjin to Gansu, Shanghai to Yunnan, Guangdong to Guangxi, Zhejiang to Sichuan, Shandong to Xinjiang, Liaoning to Qinghai, Fujian to Ningxia, and Dalian, Qingdao, Shenzhen and Ningbo to Guizhou.

6 . Absolute poor population in rural China drops to 28.2 million, People Daily, March 13, 2003.

7. Xinhuanet, Dec. 27, 2002.

8. Xinhuanet, Dec. 30, 2001.

9. China aims to set up 1,800 natural reserves by 2010, which together will cover 16% of the country land territory, with 90% of the key wildlife species and typical ecosystems under effective protection.

10. See Ecological Anthropology, Donald L. Hardesty.

11. See Homelnad Earth, Edgar Morin, Anne Briggite Kern, el.

12. Such as the cultural construction programs made by Guangdong, Zhejiang, Shandong and Shenzhen.

13. See Human Rights in China (1991), Tibetts Ownership and Human Rights Situation (1992), The Situation of Chinese Women (1994), The Progress of Human Rights in China (1995), Family Planning in China (1995), The Situation of Children in China (1996), Environmental Protection in China (1996), Progress of China Human Rights’ Cause in 1996 (1997), Freedom of Religious Belief in China (1997), New Progress in Human Rights in the Tibet Autonomous Region (1998), National Minorities Policy and Its Practice in China (1999), Progress of China Human Rights?Cause in 1998 (1999), Fifty Years of Progress in China Human Rights (2000), Development of Tibetan Culture (2000), Progress of China Human Rights Cause in 2000 (2001), The Development-Oriented Poverty Reduction Program for Rural China (2001), Ecological Improvement and Environmental Protection in Tibet (2003), History and Development of Xinjiang (2003), etc..

14 See Yasuaki Onuma Human Rights, States and Civilizations (2003).