Non-Han peoples make up only 6% of the population, but they occupy two-thirds of the total land. They are regarded with fear and suspicion, and exploited by the Han majority with a policy of assimilation, and divide and rule.

The Tibetans are dominated by a serf-owning class of around 50,000.

The peoples of the Northern frontier, and the tribal peoples of the tropical zone have societies somewhere between primitive communism, and a class society.
In the uplands of the Southwest dwell primitive farmers, who supplement their diet by hunting and gathering.

Islam is the religion of the far Northwest. Other religion so China include Ancestor Worship, Polytheism, Totemism, Christianity, and Judaism.