China Has 56 Officially Recognized Ethnic Groups

China is far more culturally diverse than many outsiders realize. The Han Chinese constitute about 91 percent of the population, but 55 other ethnic groups are officially recognized by the government. These minorities number more than 125 million people combined. The largest minority groups include the Zhuang, Manchu, Hui, and Miao. Many have their own languages, writing systems, religious practices, and traditional clothing. The government grants certain autonomous regions to ethnic minorities, such as Tibet, Xinjiang, and Inner Mongolia. This diversity is celebrated during festivals and in official policy, though tensions sometimes arise between preserving minority cultures and promoting national unity. The 56 ethnic groups are symbolically represented by the 56 stars on the Chinese flag.