Equality, unity, mutual help and common prosperity are the basic principles of the Chinese government in handling the relations between ethnic groups. The Constitution of the PRC specifies that all ethnic groups are equal. The state guarantees the lawful rights and interests of the minority people.
Discrimination against or oppression of any ethnic group is prohibited; all acts that undermine the unity of the ethnic groups or create division among them are forbidden. Big ethnic group chauvinism or chauvinism in a local level is banned. Every ethnic group has the freedom to use its own spoken and written languages and to retain or change its customs.
The contents of the Chinese nationality policies include:
1. Policy of equality and unity among ethnic groups;
2. Policy of self-government of Ethnic Groups;
3. Policy of training and promoting ethnic cadres;
4. Policy of expediting the economic development of ethnic minorities;
5. Policy of actively developing education and culture of ethnic minorities;
6. Policy of using and developing spoken and written languages of ethnic minorities;
7. Policy of respecting the customs of ethnic minorities;
8. Policy of respecting and protecting the freedom of religious belief of ethnic minorities;
9. Policy of establishing a patriotic united front of ethnic minorities;
10. Policy of implementing socialist transformation and democratic reform.
Equality among Ethnic Groups
The policy of Equality among Ethnic Groups in China includes the following basic principles：
All nationalities are equal regardless of their size. In terms of one nation, all ethnic groups are equal; in terms of the world, all nationalities are equal regardless of their size and development level. Each nationality, big or small, advanced or backward, enjoys equal right and equal status.
In China, equality among ethnic groups means that, regardless of their population size, their level of economic and social development, the difference of their folkways, customs and religious beliefs, every ethnic group is a part of the Chinese nation, having equal status, enjoying the same rights and performing the same duties in every aspect of political and social life according to law, and ethnic oppression or discrimination of any form is firmly opposed.
Equality and unity among ethnic groups as the basic principle and policy for resolving ethnic problems have been clearly defined in the Constitution and relevant laws. The Constitution of the People's Republic of China stipulates: All ethnic groups in the People's Republic of China are equal. The state protects the lawful rights and interests of the ethnic minorities and upholds and develops a relationship of equality, unity and mutual assistance among all of China's ethnic groups. Discrimination against and oppression of any ethnic group are prohibited."
Citizens of all ethnic groups in China enjoy all equal rights accorded by the Constitution and law. For instance, they have the rights to vote and stand for election, regardless of ethnic status, race and religious belief; their personal freedom and dignity are inviolable; they enjoy freedom of religious belief; they have the right to receive education; they have the right to use and develop their own spoken and written languages; they enjoy freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of procession and of demonstration; they have the right to engage in scientific research, literary and artistic creation and other cultural pursuits; they have the right to work and rest, and the right to material assistance from the state and society when they are disabled; they have the right to criticize and make suggestions regarding any state organ or functionary; and they have the freedom to preserve or change their own folkways and customs.
In order to help all ethnic groups enjoy their equal rights, small and weak nationalities should be given more help to protect their equal rights and interests. Only when the weak nationalities catch up with those relatively advanced nationalities, can unity and common prosperity be realized.
Each ethnic group has not only equal rights, but also equal responsibilities. When enjoying their rights, all ethnic groups should at the same time take up the responsibility of preserve national equality, unity and the whole nation's unification.
Upholding and Promoting the Unity of All Ethnic Groups
Unity of all ethnic groups is the basic characteristic and the core of socialist ethnic relations, and also the goal of the nation and the CPC. China vigorously advocates the equality and unity of ethnic groups, and opposes ethnic oppression and discrimination, and especially big-ethnic group chauvinism. Unity among ethnic groups means a relationship of harmony, friendship, mutual assistance and alliance among ethnic groups in social life and mutual contacts. To achieve such unity, people of all ethnic groups are required to:
1. Oppose ethnic oppression and discrimination;
2. Safeguard and promote unity among themselves and within every particular ethnic group;
3. Promote, jointly and with one heart and one mind, the development and prosperity of the nation;
4. Oppose ethnic splits and safeguard the unification of the country.
Self-government of Ethnic Groups
In accordance with its basic nationality policies, China practices a system of self-government whereby national minorities exercise regional autonomy. Where national minorities live in compact communities, autonomous organs of self-government are established under the unified leadership of the Central Government.
Self-government in ethnic group autonomous areas is affected through the local people's congress and people's government at the particular level. There are currently five autonomous regions in China -- Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region founded on May 1, 1947; Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region founded on October 1, 1955; Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region founded on March 5, 1958; Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region founded on October 25, 1958; and Tibet Autonomous Region founded on September 9, 1965. In addition, China also has 30 autonomous prefectures and 120 autonomous counties (or in some cases, banners).
Organs of self-government in regional autonomous areas enjoy extensive self-government rights beyond those held by other state organs at the same level. These include enacting regulations for self-government and specialized regulations corresponding to local political, economic and cultural conditions; making independent use of local revenue, and independently arranging and managing construction, education, science, culture, public health and other local undertakings.
The practice of regional national autonomy allows ethnic groups to enjoy the same equal rights as the Han. To enable ethnic groups to fully exercise their equal rights in managing their own internal affairs, as well as participating in the management of state affairs, the central government has always regarded it as an important policy to foster a contingent of ethnic minority cadres who have moral integrity and are professionally competent.