The system of regional autonomy for ethnic minorities ensures that all ethnic groups in China enjoy equality, said Wu Shimin, deputy director of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Monday at a press conference.

Ethnic minorities with a population of more than 10 million or less than 10,000 have their own autonomous areas according to law, said Wu.

In addition, he said, by the end of 2003 China has established 1,173 ethnic townships in areas equivalent to townships where ethnic minorities live in compact communities.

Statistics show that by the end of 2003, China had established 155 ethnic autonomous areas. Of these, five are autonomous regions, 30 autonomous prefectures and 120 autonomous counties (banners). According to the fifth national census conducted in 2000, of the 55 ethnic minorities, 44 have their own ethnic autonomous areas.

The population of ethnic minorities practicing regional autonomy accounts for 71 percent of the total population of ethnic minorities, and the area where such regional autonomy is practiced accounts for 64 percent of the entire territory of China.