China’s annual political meetings in March feature minority delegates in traditional attire, showcasing cultural diversity outside the Great Hall of the People. This vibrant display contrasts with the dominance of the Han majority, which comprises 92% of the population and historically influences politics and economy. Efforts to assimilate minority groups into a single national identity are evident in government policies since Mao Zedong’s era, impacting cultural practices.

Each March, China’s National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference convene in Beijing, characterized by their ceremonial and largely predetermined discussions. Outside the Great Hall of the People, a vibrant scene emerges as ethnic minority delegates clad in traditional dress gather for photographs, showcasing an array of cultural attire. Brightly colored costumes, adorned with intricate embroidery and accessories, present a striking contrast to the formal, understated clothing commonly worn by the political elite.

This annual display serves to illustrate the Chinese Communist Party’s notion of equality among the country’s 56 ethnic groups. However, the Han majority, representing about 92% of the population, has historically exerted substantial influence over politics and the economy, overshadowing minority representation. Delegates often hail from mountainous and border areas such as Yunnan, Guangxi, Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, and Tibet, with many belonging to lesser-known groups that have small populations.

Some minorities, such as the Manchus, have assimilated into Han culture over time, having once held significant power in China. Following the rise of Mao Zedong in 1949, the government promoted a singular Chinese identity, seeking to unify various ethnicities under a common language and ideology while implementing restrictions on minority religions and cultural practices, particularly targeting Tibetan Buddhism and Islam practiced by groups like the Uyghurs.

The annual political meetings in China provide a vivid cultural showcase through the participation of minority delegates dressed in traditional attire. While this colorful display is intended to reflect the equality of all ethnic groups, the political dominance of the Han majority remains apparent. Assertions of unity, underscored by government policies since 1949, continue to challenge the distinct identities and practices of China’s minority communities.

Original Source: www.independent.co.uk

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