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Statement by Ms. Wang Yi, Advisor of the Chinese Delegation, on the Rights of the Minorities (Item 14) at the 60th Session of the Commission on Human Rights (Geneva, April 8, 2004) 2004/04/16 Mr. Chairman, The Chinese Delegation has carefully studied the reports by the Secretary General and the working group on the rights of the minorities.  We appreciate the fruitful work of the group and support it in fulfilling its duties within its mandates given by the ECOSOC and this Commission and in line with the principle of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and. Mr. Chairman, Each of the over 2,500 ethnic groups in the world have contributed to the civilization and progress of mankind. We must adhere to the principle of equality among all ethnic groups, and respect their religions, cultures, traditions and ethnic identities. National governments have a responsibility in adopting measures or preferential policies to protect the political, economic, cultural, religious, education and social rights of their ethnic minorities. Due to the significant differences of various ethnic groups in their history, culture, level of development and geographical location, different countries have varied ethnic composition and distribution.  Therefore, countries should fit their ethnic policies and practices with their specific own realities. On the international level, they should engage, on the basis of equality and mutual respect, in dialogue, cooperation, exchange of experiences and learn from each other on the protection of minority's rights. Mr. Chairman, As a unified, multi-ethnic nation, China has all along pursued an ethnic policy of equality, solidarity and common prosperity.  China has established and practised the system of regional autonomy in areas inhabited by ethnic minorities.  Over the years, a new type of ethnic relations has taken shape, which is characterized by equality, unity, friendship and mutual assistance.  This has promoted the all-round development of ethnic-minorities-inhabited areas in political, economic, cultural and other fields. Legal framework.  Legal and institutional protection of the rights of ethnic minorities is maturing.  Since 1991, more than 20 sets of regulations and a number of special regulations regarding ethnic regional autonomy have been promulgated.  These regulations contain specific provisions on the rights enjoyed by ethnic minorities.   Notably, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress amended the Law on Ethnic Minority Regional Autonomy in February 2001, providing in clear terms for increased investment and expedited development in autonomous regions.  The amendment is a further improvement on the system of national regional autonomy and has reinforced the legal protection for the rights of ethnic minorities. Economy. Ethnic minority areas have enjoyed fast economic development and improved living standards. The Chinese Government carries out a policy of support and assistance towards ethnic minority areas in finance, technology, human resources and other aspects.  The national strategy of accelerating the development of the western part of the country launched in 1999 covers all 5 provincial-level autonomous regions and over 30 autonomous prefectures of ethnic minorities.  With the support of the whole nation, these areas have enjoyed a growth higher than that of the national average for the last 5 successive years. Culture.  Education and traditional culture have registered further development.  Over the past decade, China has taken a series of steps to foster and train a large number of teachers of ethnic minorities.  The number of students receiving education has also increased by a very big margin.  At the same time, China have made greater efforts to preserve and develop the traditional cultures of ethnic minorities.  Huge investments have been made for the preservation and maintenance of  the Potala Palace and the Jokhang Monastery in the Tibetan Autonomous Region,  the Ta'er Temple in Qinghai Province,  the Kirzir Thousand-Buddha Cave in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region and other important historical sites and cultural relics.  Efforts have also been made to promote tourism in ethnic minority regions which has in turn facilitated the development of the arts and crafts, ethnic monority costume-making and local medicine. It is necessary to emphasize that most inhabitants in Tibet, Xinjiang and other ethnic minorities regions believe in one kind of religion or another.  The Chinese Government fully respects and protects their freedom of religious beliefs and activities.  At present, there are over 17,000 places for religious activities in Tibet with over 46,000 monks and nuns.  In the Xinjiang Autonomous Region, there are more than 23,000 mosques and over 29,000 religious personnel.     Mr. Chairman, China is a party to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.  It recognizes the positive significance of the Declaration on the Rights of the Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities.  The Chinese Government has consistently supported and participated in various human rights activities of the United Nations.  We stand ready to strengthen our cooperation with UN human rights bodies on the basis of equality and mutual respect so as to contribute to the promotion and protection of the rights of ethnic minorities. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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