Basic Principles for Handling Ethnic Issues in the Socialist Society

The basic principles include maintaining the unity of the motherland, opposing ethnic division, upholding ethnic equality, and promoting ethnic unity and the prosperity of all ethnic groups. It is the glorious tradition of the Chinese nation to safeguard the unification of the motherland and oppose national division. China is a multi-ethnic nation. The support for the unification of the motherland and national unity is not only the ideological basis for the people of all ethnic groups in our country to live in peace, but also a powerful force that sustains the continuation of Chinese civilization.

For thousands of years, people of all ethnic groups have been in close contact and interdependent, and shared weal and woe. They form a unity in diversity and an unbreakable brotherhood, jointly safeguard national unity and ethnic unity, and promote the national development and social progress. It is the fundamental interest and sacred duty of the Chinese nation to maintain the unity of the country and oppose national division, which is also crucial to the prosperity and development of the nation. National unity is an important guarantee for the prosperity of the country and the happiness of the people, while national division endangers the unity and security of the country and only brings disaster and harm to society. National unity is the fundamental guarantee for maintaining the unity of the country and realizing the development of all ethnic groups. It is the fundamental principle of China’s handling of ethnic issues, the lifeline of the people of all ethnic groups, and the core content of China’s ethnic policy.

In China, it includes the unity between the Han and ethnic minorities, the unity among ethnic minorities as well as that among members of the same ethnic group. National equality is the political prerequisite and foundation for national unity and common prosperity of all ethnic groups, and the cornerstone of China’s ethnic policy. It means that all ethnic groups are equal in terms of political rights and social status, and no ethnic discrimination is allowed. It also includes respect for the customs, language, culture, and religious beliefs of all ethnic groups. In terms of ethnic relations, it is necessary to oppose both Great Han chauvinism and narrow nationalism; the Han, which accounts for the vast majority of the population, has the responsibility to help the ethnic minorities to prosper and develop together.

The common prosperity of all ethnic groups is the fundamental starting point and ultimate goal of all the work related to ethnic affairs. We must focus on economic construction, create conditions actively, and make every attempt to speed up the economic and social development of ethnic regions, so that people there can continuously benefit from it, and gradually close the development gap between ethnic regions and developed regions. It will promote the common prosperity of all ethnic groups.