China’s Ethnic Policy Since 2009

After the 2009 Urumqi Riot, heavy measures to maintain stability have dominated China’s ethnic policy; the authority has also provided wide-range social welfare for acquiring loyalty. In September 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping laid out his ethnic policy, including insistence on the Ethnic Regional Autonomy, a multi-culturalist outlook, equal access to public services, stronger local governance, rule of law and nurturing of new ethnic elites. Many follow-up policies have been publicised, but challenges remain.