Cui Yuying: China Respects Ethnic Diversity

Cui made her remarks at the opening ceremony of China-Europe Human Rights Forum 2016, which opened on September 28 in Chongqing after panelists from both home and abroad had paid a visit to Pengshui Miao and Tujia Autonomous County.

"With your visit to the county, you have first-hand knowledge of China's ethnic policies and strong impressions of the country's relentless efforts to alleviate poverty in appropriate ways, protect local cultures and make progress in social and economic development," Cui said.

About 55 ethnic groups in China have their own deputies in the National People's Congress (NPC), the top legislative body, and every minority whose population exceeds one million has a member working in the NPC Standing Committee. Moreover, there is at least one local person working as directors or deputy directors of the standing committee of local NPCs in 155 ethnic autonomous regions, prefectures and counties.

In accordance with the outline of the country's 13th Five Year Plan (2016-2020), destitution in ethnic communities is expected to be further alleviated after ethnic populations living under the poverty line  throughout China had dropped from 31.21 million in 2012 to 18.13 million in 2015.

Moreover, bilingual education is encouraged in local schools. By 2015, 54 minorities in China spoke more than 80 dialects.

The government also respects and upholds the lawful rights of religious organizations and supports the preservation of religious texts.

"We'll adhere to a people-centered concept while pushing forward the development of the country and prioritizing the right to development as the most primary and fundamental human right," Cui said.