Qian Zheng. China's Ethnic Groups and Religions

Cengage Learning Asia, 2010. — 172 p.China’s Ethnic Groups and Religions provides a historical background on the ethnic groups of China. The book explains how the central government categorizes ethnic groups and minorities. Furthermore, the book explains how the granting of autonomous governing status to certain ethnic groups in China is done with the sole aim of achieving national unity. Next, the author discusses the cultural and social practices of ethnic minorities, and the government’s effort to protect and promote their cultures, as well as government measures to improve the economic well-being of all ethnic groups. It then concludes with a general description on the various major religions practiced in China.Zheng Qian is the head of the Editorial Department and Assistant Director for the journal Chinese Nationalities. He founded the English language version of the same journal in 2003 and now works as its Executive Chief Editor. He travels widely in the vast Northeast, Northwest, and Southwest China, conducting face-to-face interviews with several dozen ethnic minority groups. He has published several books on the religious practices of these ethnic groups, such as The Spirit of Humanity, Sakyamuni in Buddhist Paintings, Bodhisattva in Buddhist Paintings, Humankind under the Heaven, and Zen and Poetry.