China currently has 2.915 million cadres from different ethic minorities, accounting for 7.4 percent of the country's total cadres, up 2.6 percent from 2000, according to the State Ethnic Affairs Commission (SEAC).

 

An SEAC official said the governments of ethnic minority autonomous regions, autonomous prefectures and autonomous counties are all headed by citizens from local ethic minorities.

 

Directors or vice directors of the Standing Committees of local legislatures in minority autonomous areas also have to be from ethnic minorities.

 

The SEAC organized more than 170 training classes for officials from ethnic minorities during the 2001-2005 period, aiming to enhance their administrative capabilities.

 

China has 56 ethnic groups. Han people account for 90 percent of its total population.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 24, 2007)