Ethnic tensions still a problem in China: report

BEIJING, Jan. 4 Kyodo

Interference from outside countries, economic disparities and racial problems are causing friction between China's different ethnic groups, according to a newspaper article published Thursday.

The article, which appeared in Study Times, sponsored by the Chinese Communist Party's Central Party School, identifies the United States as a major cause of trouble, particularly in China's southwestern border areas.

Relations between China's 55 official ethnic minorities and the dominant Han group, which makes up 92 percent of the population, have often been strained, particularly in Tibet and Xinjiang, which both have independence movements.

''Whether you look at the world today or China's history, the relationship between ethnic groups in new China is the best,'' the report said. ''But the international and internal situations have led to profound change. There are new features that have influenced our country's ethnic relations in many ways.''

One of those external problems is the United States, said the report, which identified the country as China's primary hostile force that uses human rights, religion and nationality issues to interfere in China's affairs.

''Some U.S. political figures have secretly met with the leaders of ethnic separatist organizations on a number of occasions when they have been in the United States,'' the article said.

''Ethnic separatists and outside organizations have both received support from the U.S. government and religious organizations, and activity expenses have been funded by Western countries,'' it added.

One group to receive this kind of support from the United States is the Miao ethnic group in Yunnan Province in southwestern China, the report said.

The article said problems are also caused because many ethnic minorities, who often live in impoverished western and border areas, have not benefited from China's fast-paced economic growth as much as people living in eastern regions.

Of China's 592 poor counties, 538 are home to ethnic minorities and are located in western regions. Improving the standard of living for people in these areas is seen as the key to solving many inter-ethnic problems, the report said.

Racial problems have also increased, sometimes involving the allocation of resources and benefits. Many ethnic minorities complain that Han Chinese often take the best jobs when they move into areas mainly populated by ethnic minorities.

There has also been friction over social customs and religious beliefs, the report said.

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