Ethnic unity and progress get a boost

JIN DING/CHINA DAILY Fostering solidarity among the 56 ethnic groups of the country to maintain social harmony and realize collective progress is a key aspect of China's socioeconomic policies and cultural integration efforts. Ethnic unity helps create a unified national identity among the people, instilling in them a strong sense of allegiance to the nation, and helping diverse groups to bond under a common national framework. To consolidate ethnic unity while building a modern state, the government has to first foster a unified sense of national identity; use narratives that highlight the contributions of different ethnic groups to China's history and development, forging a sense of shared destiny; and promote civic education that emphasizes national unity as well as the value of diversity, so individuals can understand their respective roles in the broader national context. And second, the government also needs to create and support initiatives that encourage interactions and collaborations among different ethnic groups, such as initiating joint community projects and holding cultural festivals, intensifying campaigns that highlight shared values and common goals, and celebrating ethnic diversity, while continuing to invest in infrastructure, education and healthcare in areas with relatively large ethnic minority populations to reduce disparities and stimulate local economies, and promote entrepreneurship among ethnic minority communities.