China: Treatment of Hui people; whether religion is specified on household registration; whether Muslims have equal access to protection; whether there is inter-marriage between Muslims and other Chinese; the process for joining the Muslim Association (1997-September 1999)

Treatment and Situation of Hui

The Hui are Sunni Muslims, and according to the 1982 census, number over 7 million, thereby making them the largest Muslim minority (Islam and Islamic Groups 1992, 52). Although the Hui are found throughout China, they are concentrated in the south-western province of Yunnan, as well as in the north-west provinces of Qinghai, Gansu, and Ningxia, (ibid.). Over one-sixth of the total Hui population is found in Ningxia province (China Daily 8 Sept. 1998), and one-third of that province's population is Hui (ibid.; Bernama 3 Sept. 1998; Travel Trade Gazette Asia 5 Feb. 1999).

According to Islam and Islamic Groups, of all the Muslim groups, the Hui are "by far the most acculturated to the majority Han Chinese" (1992, 52). Influenced by the Han through long and frequent contact, the Hui speak Mandarin and use "the same written language with some Arabian and Persian words incorporated" (Travel Trade Gazette Asia 5 Feb. 1999).

According to a number of reports, the Hui living in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (NHAR) have had better access to medical treatment and health care in recent years (CBNet 28 July 1997; Bernama 3 Sept. 1998); fall under a special population policy that permits them to have three children (ibid.); have approximately 3,000 mosques (Xinhua 4 July 1998; Travel Trade Gazette Asia 5 Feb. 1999) and practise their faith openly (ibid.; Xinhua 27 July 1998). Ningxia reportedly has "extended great efforts over the past twenty years to protect religious sites in strict accordance with state policies on nationalities and religion" (ibid.).

The following 5 February 1996 Minorities at Risk assessment of the Hui in China may be of general interest:

There are, officially, over 8 million people living in the People's Republic of China who are of Hui ethnicity. Culturally and linguistically, these people are very closely assimilated with the majority Han Chinese population. What continues to separate them as a group is their adherence to the Muslim religion and/or the practices associated with that religion, such as the refusal to eat pork. The Hui are the descendants of Arab and Persian traders and artisans who immigrated to the area around the beginning of the current millennium or who were "transferred" to China during the period of Mongol dominance. Substantial intermixture over the centuries has "sinicized" their physical appearance, although many claim to be able to distinguish a Hui from a Han. The economic roles of the Hui do not appear to be significantly distinct from those of the majority. Although there is an Autonomous Region (the Ningxia Hui or NHAR) established for the Hui in north central China, this must be viewed as a symbolic gesture by the state as the Hui in this region account for only about 13% of the population.

There is a strong tradition of social ostracism of the Hui and a historical precedent of periodic violent conflicts between Hui groups and the Chinese state resulting from discriminatory treatment reaching into the 20th century. The latest episode of social conflict occurred during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) when Han groups, under the auspices of the central authorities, made systematic and violent attacks on the practice of minority cultures and, especially, on religious practices and institutions. Since 1979, there has been a liberalization of the government's attitude toward the minority cultures in China and, at least, a formalization of religious toleration.

This policy has gone a long way toward assuaging Hui resentments, but it is too early to tell whether these policies will overcome the cultural barriers to the full social integration of the Hui.

While there is very limited information available, it appears that the Hui continue to be economically disadvantaged in relation to the majority Han community. Their ability to improve their economic status has suffered due to severe environmental degradation in the NHAR. As a result, some Huis have begun to leave their region of residence in order to earn a livelihood. 

Household Registration

According to the Fall 1988 Chinese Economic Studies article by Zhang Qingwu entitled "Basic Facts on the Household Regulations System" that is attached to CHN16528.E of 7 April 1994, the household head and one's relationship to the head of the house, as well as the name, sex, date of birth, native place and place of birth, nationality, religious faith, marriage status, cultural level, profession, unit, etc. of all household members must be listed in the household book and in the registration form for permanent address (45-46, 54-55). However, people under the age of 18 "must not fill in the registration form's 'religious belief' category" (ibid., 55).

No reports on whether Muslims have the same access to protection as other citizens, whether Muslims inter-marry with other Chinese, nor information on the process for joining the Muslim Association, could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Bernama: the Malaysian National News Agency. 3 September 1998. "China–Muslim Population Triples in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region." (NEXIS)

China Daily [Beijing]. 8 September 1998. "China–Ningxia is Opening Up." (NEXIS)

China Business Information Network (CBNet). 28 July 1997. "China: Ningxia People Have Access to Better Medical Care." (NEXIS)

Chinese Economic Studies (CES). Fall 1988. Zhang Qingwu, "Basic Facts on the Household Registration System."

Islam and Islamic Groups: A Worldwide Reference Guide. 1992. Edited by Farzana Shaikh. New York: Longman Current Affairs.

Minorities at Risk. 5 February 1996. Deepa Khosla. "Hui Muslims in China." [Accessed 3 Sept. 1999]

Travel Trade Gazette Asia.. 5 February 1999. "China–Ningxia Thrives Under Islamic Influence." (NEXIS)

Xinhua. 27 July 1998. "China's Muslims Gather on day of Jumah." (NEXIS)

_____. 4 July 1998. "Ningxia Details Muslim Numbers, Mosque Protection Measures." (BBC Summary 6 July 1998/NEXIS)

Additional Sources Consulted

China Journal [Canberra, ACT]. Twice-yearly. January 1997-July 1999.

China Rights Forum [NY]. Quarterly. Summer 1997-Summer 1999.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. Yearly. 1997, 1998.

Human Rights Watch/Asia. October 1997. China: State Control of Religion.

Human Rights Watch World Report 1999. December 1998.

Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs [London]. Twice-yearly. April 1997-April 1999.

Research Directorate. July 1998. Contextual Information Package: China.

_____. January 1999. Human Rights Information Package: China. Supplement.

_____. July 1998. Human Rights Information Package: China.

Resource Centre. "China" country file. January 1997-present.

_____. "China: Amnesty International" country file. December 1997-present.

Electronic sources: Internet, IRB Databases, NEXIS.