been submitted in good time. He wished to begin with questions based on specific articles of the Convention, and then go on to address the subject of Tibet. With regard to article 2 of the Convention, information submitted by the Chinese Government indicated that the country's population consisted of the Han Chinese majority and 55 other ethnic groups; those groups amounted to 67,230,000 people, or 6.7 per cent of the population (1988 figures). The reports stated that all ethnic groups were considered equal and that special administrative and legislative measures had been taken to promote the interests of minority groups. There were 61 autonomous areas in China, which drew up their own regulations for self-government and took measures to implement them. He would like to ask the Chinese representative for the following information in respect of article 2 of the Convention. Firstly, he would like to see statistics showing the relative size of the various ethnic groups, including the Han Chinese majority, both at present and in the past. Secondly, he would like information about the measures taken by the Government to ensure the adequate development and protection of minority groups, or at CERD/C/SR.869 page 3 least the principal groups, in accordance with article 2, paragraph 2, of the Convention. What measures had the Government taken to amend it own policies in accordance with article 2, paragraph 1 (c)? Thirdly, he hoped that, in the next periodical report, the Government would list the most important laws and provisions adopted by each autonomous area as well as the measures taken to implement them. Fourthly, he asked about the criteria for the formation of the autonomous areas: did every ethnic group have its own area, or could a group be dispersed among several areas? Fifthly, who set up the autonomous areas, and under what procedure? 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) in China, specifically regarding the treatment of minority groups and ethnic autonomy. The language used is formal and diplomatic, indicating that it may be a transcript of a meeting or a report. The topics discussed, such as population demographics, ethnic autonomy, and government policies, suggest that the category should be related to human rights or social issues.

**Category**
Human rights, Culture