From Assimilation to Autonomy: Realizing Ethnic Minority Rights in China's National Autonomous Regions

Abstract

This article examines regional autonomy in China’s ethnic minorityareas and its implications for minority rights in China. It argues that China’s regional autonomy regime is in need of improvement in quest for national unity, social harmony and equality among ethnic groups in China. In light of past State–minority relations, as well as changing conditions in China, and by reference to international experience, the article offers suggestions for China to improve and implement minority rights legislation and policies. It argues that,undertheexistingpoliticalsysteminviewoftheexistingbasicframework on minorities, the Chinese State should adopt a new approach which encompasseselementsofruleoflaw,deliberativedemocracyandinternationalhuman rights standards. The new approach should guarantee respect for minority identities and seek means of establishing their respective autonomies and realizingtheirspecialrights.Itshouldfocusasmuchontheprocessasonthedecisions,onthevoicesasontheresultsandontheindividualsasonthegroups.In this way, China’s national regional autonomy would be oriented towards a complete policy of commitment to pluralistic values within the Chinese polity and would be more likely to satisfy the minority aspirations and the State’s need for national stability and unity.