Globalization And Development Among China’s Ethnic Minori Ties

Until recent years the status of being a minority was not an honorable rank to have in China. It wasn’t until the tourist industry found the economic potential within the ethnic cultures that the countries views and polices changed toward the minority groups (Blum1994). Now the ethnic minorities bring in large amounts of revenue locally and nationally through ethnic tourism. The province of Yunnan has the largest number of the ethnic minorities;25officially recognized groups live within its boundaries. The construction and development of rural environments is rapidly consuming the lifestyles of local minorities in Yunnan (Hayes2007).This resource of ethnic wealth is being acquired and commercialized at an incredible rate. Across the province outside entrepreneurship and companies seek to buyout the local minorities’resources. The minorities sell tradition, history, and homes in hopes of achieving a successful business lifestyle (Li et al.2007). Once areas are controlled by outside sources, they become stripped down and simplified in the interest of tourism. In this paper the researcher will discuss the findings of their research conducted in Northwestern Yunnan, in respect to the changes that are rapidly occurring within the Tibetan minority of the Upper and Lower Yubeng Villages. The phenomena and dilemmas attached to the Chinese minorities, in aspects of the regional element of education, environment, demographics, composition, and interaction will be investigated. Evidence found will be used to assess the future of the local life and culture pertaining to the minority group. In order to derive a conclusive result pertaining to the future of the Yubeng villages, a comprehensive evaluation of the issues relating to China’s ethnic minorities must be obtained. From the analysis of the following four major concerns, my research and discoveries throughout this paper will reveal the unique phenomena indentifying the Yubeng villages. Firstly, as China develops will its ethnic minorities experience similar difficulties to those found in other developing nations? Problems such as poverty, pollution (Hayes2007), and disease (Beyrer2000) are common issues that continually plague developing nations. The overuse and scourging of the environment in the name of advancement and survival exposes many periphery nations to these chronic issues. I will look at how China balances these complex issues in rural areas, mainly environmental damage and disease, and if the policies in place are beneficial and effective for China’s ethnic minorities.Secondly, does China’s education system provide effective policies to ensure advancement as well as cultural preservation? As China progresses in the global community, the traditional customs and values of minorities are at risk. Education is critical and the key element for the protection and advancement of the Chinese minorities (Zhang and Zhao2006). Through an improved education system, minorities can effectively compete in business and politics (Xia2007). I will look at how the current education system in China is functioning on behalf of its minorities.Thirdly, is ethnic identity lost as the tourism industry expands into local regions? The commodification and commercialization of ethnic traditions will inherently compromise their authenticity (Davis2003). Many of the minority towns in Yunnan have been developed to entertain mass tourism for over a decade. By looking at these towns and villages, the consequences and benefits of large scale tourism can seen. Through the evaluation of these modern ethnic landscapes, I will be able to determine if identities are strengthened or weakened by commercial tourism.Fourthly, will the Yubeng villages succumb to same structured assimilation as the surrounding minority towns of the Yunnan province? Being geographically located near the infamous minority towns of Northwestern Yunnan, the Yubeng villages are strategic locations for tourism routes. Inevitably the residents will experience increasingly frequent interaction with tourists from around the world. The Yubeng villages are naturally isolated by the beautiful Himalayas; however new infrastructure provides easier access into their domain. In combination with field data gathered and these preceding inquiries, I will draw a my conclusions concerning the future of the Tibetan’s of the Yubeng villages. The results found in this research will be derived from a comprehensive approach in indentifying the characteristics that affect Chinese ethnic minorities as a whole.