Racial Sensitivity in China

A thought on multiculturalism in China surfaced during a lesson recently. Over here in Singapore, we are always over-paranoid about race issues, with all the incessant harping on inherent social fractures along racial lines that can threaten to break out into racial riots. In contrast, countries with relatively homogeneous population like Japan and Korea have no such worries.
But when it comes to China, it presents an interesting perspective for argument. Essentially, China is considered majority Han Chinese with some minority tribes on the fringe. But unlike Singapore, these minority tribes are situated in far-flung areas or little pockets located far beyond the major cities. Think the Uighurs in Xinjiang and the tribes in Yunnan, and of course the Tibetans high up in the plateaus. Hence, even as there are other races, there is little concern about racial conflicts as the minority races do not interact that pervasively and intensively with the majority Han Chinese. Racial issues do not dominate the national agenda and reverberate so strongly the way they do in Singapore. This is to some extent still true today.
However, flip the coin to the other side and you have a different scenario. With increasing transportation between the major cities and the far flung lands of the minority tribes (think the Qinghai railway that stretches all the way up to the Tibetan Highlands), there is now more interaction between the various races. The younger generation from the minority tribes also move to the major cities to find better jobs to eke out a better life. On top of this, to ensure greater integration, the Beijing govt has also been encouraging transmigration of the majority Han Chinese into areas like Tibet and Xinjiang. Add on the influx of foreign talent into the major coastal and capital cities and u have a melting pot of various races. Oh, and there's also the ubiquitous presence of social media that ensures contact with other races beyond China. All these result in greater and more intense interactions between the major and minority races (both local and foreign) in the China we see today.


Disclaimer: This makes for a logical argument, but whether it is backed by factual reality is arguable. Get it verified with those who know China well.....
Any feedback on this email me at aegeansea09@gmail.com