Predominant Religions in China:

  • Buddhism
  • Taoism
  • Shinto
  • Confuscianism
  • Muslims and Christians

Role of Religion in the Politics:

In the past, Chinese government was patriarchal society, thus males had more rights in the politics.
However, because of effects of communism, there is no specific role of religion in the Chinese politics.




Minority Groups Found in China:
There are 56 ethnic groups in China. Han takes up the largest number, thus remaining 55 groups are called minority groups
.
Han, Zhuang, Manchu, Hui, Miao, Uyghurs, Tujia, Yi, Mongols, Tibetan, Buyei, Dong, Yao, Korean, Bai, Hani, Kazakh, Li, Dai, She, Lisu, Gelao, Dongxiang, Gaoshan, Lahu, Sui, Va, Nakhi, Qiang, Tu, Mulao, Xibe, Kkyrgyz, Daur, Jingpo, Maonan, Salar, Blang, Tajik, Achang, Pumi, Ewenki, Nu, Jing, Jino, De'ang, Bonan, Russian, Yugur, Uzbeks, Monba, Oroqen, Derung, Tatars (Dada), Hezhen, Lhoba


Minority Group Treatment:

The People's Republic of China's Constitution and laws guarantee equal rights to all ethnic groups in China and try to promote all ethnic minority groups' economic and cultural development. For example, ethnic minorities are exempt from the population growth control of theOne-Child Policy. Ethnic minorities are well represented in the National People's Congress as well as governments at the provincial andprefectural levels. Regional autonomies in China guarantee ethnic minorities the freedom to use and develop their ethnic languages, and to maintain their own cultural and social customs. In addition, the PRC government has provided preferential economic development and aid to areas where ethnic minorities live. The "regional autonomies" are also to protect ethnic minorities' freedom of religion.



Main Languages of China:
  • Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the Beijing dialect)
  • Yue (Cantonese)
  • Wu (Shanghainese)
  • Minbei (Fuzhou)
  • Minnan (Taiwanese)