Before 1949, the Chinese approach to minorities can be characterized as follows: The state pursued two conflicting frontier policies towards non-Han ethnic groups, involving both cultural and military aspects. Primarily, the state aimed to "cherish" and "assimilate" frontier peoples through educational and moral guidance. Simultaneously, a "hands-off" approach was maintained to uphold the distinction between the Han Chinese (xia) and the non-Han (yi) peoples. However, in cases where non-Han groups resisted assimilation or posed a significant threat, the state resorted to military actions either to integrate them forcefully into the Chinese political realm or to defend against their incursions into the central plains. This view has characterized politics towards minorities over the years.
"...for reasons of defense, economic and social well-being, and national pride, the current government attaches considerable importance to gaining the allegiances of minority peoples and putting them under Chinese jurisdiction. "
CCP policy...
The CCP implemented this policy in 1944 in Yan'an, with the founding of the United Front Work Department. One of the tasks of this party organ was implementing minority policy. This department developed strategies for minority work. Li Weihan
became its director and he played an important role in realizing the aims of the CCP in the field of nationalities.
On October 19, 1949, the State Ethnic Affairs Commission was established. Its role is to supervise and inspect all operations of the minority policy. The commission reports directly to the Government Administration Council (GAC). Li Weihan is also the chairman of this commission. (Li was assisted by three deputy chairmen, all from different ethnic groups Ulanhu
(Mongolian), Liu Geping
(Hui), and Saifuding
Saifuding Azizi(1915-2003) سەيپىدىن ئەزىزى
Politician also known as Seypidin Azizi, Saif al-Dīn ʿAzīz, Saifuding Aizezi From December 1949 through January 1950, he accompanied Mao Zedong in his trip to Moscow to negotiate the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship
(Uygur).
Minorities
The responsibilities of this state organ are: To supervise the implementation of national Regional autonomy; To publicize policies concerning minority nationalities and check up on their implementation; To make concerted efforts in conjunction with the relevant departments within the GAC to promote socialist economic and cultural construction; To take charge of work related to minority languages in general; To take charge of minority nationalities' institutes and the work of training minority cadres and scientific and technological personnel; To organize and facilitate minority people's visits; To conduct constant study and investigation of minority nationalities and their areas, and to sum up experience in ethnic work; and to carry out tasks assigned by the GAC concerning nationalities affairs. Details of the policy towards minorities are elaborated in Chapter 6 of the Common Program.
