The Hui People: Identity, Policies, Developments, and Problems

• In Event: 082 - Open Refereed Roundtable Session I
  In Refereed Roundtable: A. Table 20. International Economic Sociology I

Abstract

On Dec. 26, 2000, China’s State Council issued No. 33 Circular announcing several policies aiming at modernizing and accelerating economic development of its vast Western Regions, which was later known as China’s Western Development. Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region was among the original six provinces and five autonomous regions covered under this strategic plan. A decade later, official statistics report an upward trajectory across all major indicators of social and economic wellbeing of the autonomous region. This paper examines challenges facing the Hui people and Chinese government today. It traces the evolution of Hui people’s identity and Chinese government’s policies towards ethnic minorities. It also explores the developments (political, social, and economic) of Hui people during the implementation of China’s Western Development. We conclude that behind the rosy official statistics lurk increasing inequality between Han Chinese and Hui minorities, intensified Han-Hui ethnic conflicts, and erosion of Hui identity and cultural heritage.

Authors

• Ting Jiang, Metropolitan State University-Denver

• Xiansheng Tian, Metropolitan State University-Denver