Ethnic Minorities in China

Minority peoples account for about 7% of the population in China, but they are scattered throughout the country, mostly in sensitive border regions. China officially recognises 55 ethnic groups, but in reality the figures are closer to 150 groups, with 142 distinct languages.

Major ethnic groupings as part of the total Chinese population include:

• Tai and their sub-tribes, 2.1%
• Tibeto-Burmans, 1.9%
• Mongolians, 1.35%
• The Miao-Yao, 0.84%
• The Hui, 0.76%
• The Turkic peoples, 0.76%

Discrimination and segregation

For centuries the majority Han Chinese regarded the minority people as barbarians.

It was only in 1949 when China became Communist that the symbol for 'dog' – included in the characters for minority names – was replaced with the symbol for 'man'.

Minority separatism has always been a threat to the Chinese government. The Uygurs and the Tibetans, who both have their own autonomous regions, are a particular concern as they live in important border areas.

For example Xinjiang province, home of the Uygurs, borders eight different countries!

For this reason, both Tibet and Xinjiang autonomous regions are strictly controlled by military forces.

Thousands of Han Chinese are also being resettled in these areas to dilute the minority population.

Unreached people groups

China's minority groups have some very specific needs, which warrant our prayers. One of the most fundamental is the lack of Scriptures in minority languages.

In fact, only a handful of minority groups are considered 'reached' – that is, having an indigenous Church that uses the language and culture of its own people, and that is able to evangelise without cross-cultural help.

We need to pray that more churches will be planted in groups that are still considered 'unreached'.

Islamic influence

Another focus for our prayers is the Church in Muslim dominated regions. The Hui and the Uygur together, both Muslim groups, number approximately 20 million, meaning there are more Muslims in China than in Saudi Arabia!

From an estimated 10 million Uygurs in Xinjiang, there are only 100–150 known Christians, and many of those are relatively young believers, reached less than five years ago. It is vital we pray for more Muslims to be reached with the Gospel.

Poverty, unemployment, migrancy

Many minorities live in rural areas and are heavily taxed by the government, making survival difficult.

Thousands of migrant workers head for the cities every year in search of employment. There are great opportunities for city Christians to share the Gospel with these migrant workers, who in turn can pass the Good News on to their families back home.

Pray that these migrants will hear the Gospel in the cities and take the message back to their own people.

Prayer Points

• Bible translations for the minority groups without access to any of God's Word in their own language.
• Millions have yet to hear the Good News of Jesus.
• Many Muslims in the Hui and Uygur minority groups still need to hear the Gospel.
• Many new Uygur believers need grounding in God's Word.
• Small church groups in minority areas are particularly prone to infiltration by cult groups. Believers need discernment and wisdom to counter this threat.
• Open Doors teams are looking for more ways to support isolated Christians amongst the minority groups. They need wisdom as they make these plans.

Praise points

• A number of major house church streams from other regions of China are sending evangelists to the Muslim-dominated minority regions.They are zealous to take the Gospel to the 'unreached'people groups in their country.
• Despite persecution and tough restrictions, the Church is growing in some minority areas. One Uygur congregation has seen many new converts in recent months.
• There is increasing demand for Scriptures, materials and Bible training courses in minority languages.
• Open Doors teams have been able to supply Bibles, resources and hymn books to help meet the growing needs.