In the heart of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region lies the Changcheng Garden community, a vibrant multi-ethnic residential area home to over 18,000 residents. With 38% of its population belonging to ethnic minority groups such as Hui, Manchu, Mongolian, and Tibetan, Changcheng Garden stands as a beacon of harmony and integration.
Throughout traditional Chinese festivals like the Spring Festival and ethnic celebrations such as Eid al-Fitr, residents from diverse backgrounds come together to celebrate, fostering a strong sense of community and mutual respect. This spirit of unity was recently highlighted during a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping in June, who expressed his delight at witnessing the harmonious coexistence of the community's diverse inhabitants.
\"Ethnic unity is very important,\" Xi stated, emphasizing the significance of cooperation among China’s 56 ethnic groups. \"The 56 ethnic groups unite together to forge the community for the Chinese nation. The Chinese nation is a big family.\" His remarks were part of a broader initiative to honor role models for ethnic unity and progress, where 352 groups and 368 individuals were commended for their contributions.
Under Xi's leadership, considerable strides have been made in improving the lives of people from all ethnic backgrounds. From 2016 to 2020, the number of impoverished individuals in key autonomous regions and provinces such as Inner Mongolia, Guangxi, Xizang, Ningxia, Xinjiang, Guizhou, Yunnan, and Qinghai decreased by 15.6 million, marking significant progress in poverty alleviation efforts.
Moreover, cultural exchanges have flourished, with events like the National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities and the Ethnic Minority Art Festival providing platforms for different ethnic groups to showcase their unique traditions and foster deeper connections. These initiatives not only celebrate diversity but also promote economic and social development across ethnic areas.
President Xi highlighted during the Beijing meeting that the Communist Party of China has made unprecedented progress in developing ethnic relations based on equality, solidarity, mutual assistance, and harmony. These efforts continue to drive the building of a cohesive and prosperous community for the Chinese nation.
Reference(s):
How China advances building the community for the Chinese nation
cgtn.com
