Yunnan is a microcosm of China in the areas of minority affairs and nationality relations. The province has 25 minority groups, nearly half of the country's total ( 56 ethnic groups ) . With such ethnic diversity it is important to ask the question: what criteria are used to determine minority status and classification? Basically, there are five ways: Race , Language, Culture, Religion, History.

In Yunnan race is not a major consideration, as it is in northwest China where caucasian exist, Language and culture, however, are of primary interest because they are the basis for classfying most minority nationalities. Religion plays a role in groups such as the Hui ( Muslims ) who, to all intents and purposes, are Chinese except for their faith. Historical background can sometimes tip the balance in determining the status of a people. The Bai , who have a high cultural level and speak a language closedly related to Mandarin, are clearly not Chinese on the basis of their long, well-recorded and independent history

25 Minorities
-The Bai Nationality -The Hani Nationality -The Dai Nationality
-The Pumi Nationality -The Bulang Nationality -The Lisu Nationality
-The Wa Nationality -The Jingpo Nationality -The Lahu Nationality
-The Nu Nationality -The Jinuo Nationality -The Naxi Nationality
-The Deang Nationality -The Achang Nationality -The Dulong Nationality
-The Tibetan Nationality -The Shui Nationality -The Bouyei Nationality
-The Miao Nationality -The Mongol Nationality -The Zhuang Nationality
-The Hui Nationality -The Yao Nationality -The Yi Nationality
-The Manzu Nationality

The Peoples
-Mosuo people
-Shani people
-Aini people