Late Sunday evening, the PRC government issued a white paper entitled “China's Ethnic Policy and Common Prosperity and Development of All Ethnic Groups.”  In an all too common attempt to "harmonize" the historical record of the Middle Kingdom, the report details the full economic integration of modern China's 56 nationalities, complete with charts and graphs.

In a strangely Stalinist assertion, the report claims, “The common cultural and psychological characteristics of all ethnic groups in China became increasingly more mature and outstanding.  Today, the Chinese nation has become a name with which all ethnic groups in China identify themselves and to which they give their allegiance.”  The report boldly concludes, “Sixty years of experiences have proved that China’s ethnic policies are correct and effective…”
 
But if China's inter-ethnic relations are in fact “harmonious,” why did the 2008 riots in Tibet and the 2009 riots in East Turkestan happen?  And, if ethnic relations in China are indeed doing so greatly, why would China need to issue a white paper on ethnic policy begin with?

While no one can deny the immense innovation on the part of the entire PRC public relations team, the true situation has been well noted by international media, for example, the continued coverage of persons charged in connection with the 2009 Xinjiang Riots. Maybe its time the frogs hopped out of their well, as per the old Chinese saying, and took a good look around.

For the full text of,“China's Ethnic Policy and Common Prosperity and Development of All Ethnic Groups,” click here.