Ethnic minorities are playing an important role in local political affairs in northern China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, according to local minority affairs authorities.

Members of ethnic minorities hold a substantial proportion of official positions, and many hold important posts in local government departments, according to Baren, director of the Committee of Minority and Foreign Affairs of the regional People's Congress Standing Committee.

China's population is made up of 56 ethnic groups, with the Hans accounting for about 93 percent of the nation's total population. Approximately 5 million of Inner Mongolia's 23.8 million residents are members of ethnic minorities, about 80 percent of them Mongolians.

In Inner Mongolia there are currently nearly 190,000 government officials of non-Han ethnic origin, including Manchu, Hui, Daur, Ewenki and Oroqen as well as Mongolian. Baren said that this is more than 25 percent of all officials in the region.

The heads of local governments of the Daur, Ewenki and Oroqen autonomous banners (counties), are members of minorities. Incumbent regional chairman Yang Jing is a Mongolian.

"All this signifies that China's policies for autonomy in the regions have been carried out successfully, and that these people enjoy full rights to participate in managing the affairs of their own ethnic groups," said Baren.

Baren indicates that the number of minority officials is rising, largely as a result of enforcement of China's policies for regional autonomy and a growing awareness of the importance of participation in managing regional affairs.

Improved education is doubtless playing a role, as the central government has vigorously promoted education since the establishment of the PRC more than 50 years ago.

A Mongolian-language-based education system ranging from preschool to college has been set up in Inner Mongolia. At present, there are 1,600 primary schools and 300 high schools for the minorities. Approximately 30,000 minority undergraduates are enrolled in the region's 20 colleges, accounting for nearly 30 percent of total undergraduate enrollment.

(China.org.cn, China Daily January 5, 2005)